Arizona help

[rljsrubicon]

Hi Folks,
I need a little advice on the Arizona portion of our roadtrip. I'll be leaving Moab on 191 heading toward Bluff UT. Here's where I need the help. I'd like to drive through Monument Valley and see Canyon de Chelly. Currently I'm planning on taking 163 out of Bluff to Mexican Hat and Kayenta. Will this get us the drive through Monument Valley? From there I plan on taking 160 to Tuba City and 89 into Flagstaff and spending the night somewhere around Flagstaff. Can this be done easily in one day or should I stop somewhere; but where?

I'd like to see the Rock Art Ranch before leaving the area and then take I40 to 191 and Canyon de Chelly. From there I suppose I'll continue on 191 to 160 and back into Cortez CO for the next leg of the trip. I believe there is a closer connection from Canyon de Chelly to Shiprock, but I don't have my good maps here at work.

It looks like it might be better to take 160 north out of Kayenta to 44 is it, that connects to 191 and on to Chinle. This would bypass Flag all together, but that might be OK.

What do you think about this circular route and what modifications would you make? We're really looking for scenic drives, dirt roads and easy Jeep-tourist stuff on this leg of the roadtrip. Thanks Ron

[DREDnot]

I did a trip in that area a few years ago. It sounds like you will do some backtracking if you stay in Flag.
We stayed in Kayenta at this best western
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=03135

That would give you more time in monument valley and would put you closer to the next leg of your trip.
That should also give you time to see Navajo National Monument which is right there by Kayenta
http://www.desertusa.com/nav/index.html

[DREDnot]

Almost forgot... if you have time,a side trip to Lee's Ferry on the colorado river is very neat. Crossing Navajo Bridge, driving past the balanced rocks on the way down to the red canyon and the cool waters of the colorado river where you can watch giant trout swim by as the rafting trips prepare to depart for a week trip through the grand canyon.
Very good photo stuff!

http://www.desertusa.com/colorado/leeferry/du_leeferry.html

[rljsrubicon]

Thanks.. Kayenta would make things easier, but their booked on the 11th. Possibly I can find something else there.. Ron

I did a trip in that area a few years ago. It sounds like you will do some backtracking if you stay in Flag.
We stayed in Kayenta at this best western
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=03135

That would give you more time in monument valley and would put you closer to the next leg of your trip.
That should also give you time to see Navajo National Monument which is right there by Kayenta
http://www.desertusa.com/nav/index.html

[DREDnot]

This place is right across the road from monument valley

http://www.gouldings.com/english/index.htm

there are also 2 other places in kayenta that may have a room,unless there is a rodeo or something going on

http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/monument_valley/map.html

[rljsrubicon]

Thanks DREDnot, but everything seems to be booked. A couple of weeks ago I could have got a room at a B&B in Bluff, but I wanted to be a little farther south by the evening. I may end up just leaving Moab and playing it by ear. I had heard that the closer you get to the GC, the more crowed it becomes. It wasn't bad at all in 72:D , but nothing was really. In those days they would let you walk around in all the ruins and stuff.. Thanks Ron

This place is right across the road from monument valley

http://www.gouldings.com/english/index.htm

there are also 2 other places in kayenta that may have a room,unless there is a rodeo or something going on

http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/monument_valley/map.html

[Wayco]

Hi Ron, My wife Sharon and I just got back from our annual trip to the North rim of the Grand Canyon. We have done extensive travel in the area of your interest. There is a nice new motel in Cameron, we haven't stayed there but a friend recommends it, and I will pass on the recommendation.
http://www.camerontradingpost.com/lodge.html
We have done the Monument valley trip, wasn't impressed with the restrictions that the Indians are imposing. It's worth one visit, but if you like an unstructured run, you will be disappointed. If you go West out of Bluff on 163 a few miles, you will find Valley of the Gods, same scenery as Monument Valley, but you won't get busted for getting out of your Jeep to take a "natural" break, nor did I see anyone selling jewelry.... :rolleyes:
North from there on 261 is the Mookie dugway, a fun stretch of dirt road that will take you up to Natural Bridges National Monument, well worth the visit, but it might be a little out of your way.
Anyway, hope that motel in Cameron solves you lodging problem, and have a nice visit to Arizona. :)

[rljsrubicon]

Thanks Wayne,
That really helps and is exactly the sort of data that I need. I'm not much into structure unless it's my own doing; and no more than necessary even then. I've been west many times over the years and really I'm just looking for scenery and food. Looks like we could take 163/191 south out of Moab to Blanding, 95 to 261 and the Valley of the Gods, back to 163 and Mexican Hat and then points south. Thanks a lot.. Ron



Hi Ron, My wife Sharon and I just got back from our annual trip to the North rim of the Grand Canyon. We have done extensive travel in the area of your interest. There is a nice new motel in Cameron, we haven't stayed there but a friend recommends it, and I will pass on the recommendation.
http://www.camerontradingpost.com/lodge.html
We have done the Monument valley trip, wasn't impressed with the restrictions that the Indians are imposing. It's worth one visit, but if you like an unstructured run, you will be disappointed. If you go West out of Bluff on 163 a few miles, you will find Valley of the Gods, same scenery as Monument Valley, but you won't get busted for getting out of your Jeep to take a "natural" break, nor did I see anyone selling jewelry.... :rolleyes:
North from there on 261 is the Mookie dugway, a fun stretch of dirt road that will take you up to Natural Bridges National Monument, well worth the visit, but it might be a little out of your way.
Anyway, hope that motel in Cameron solves you lodging problem, and have a nice visit to Arizona. :)