Power of Vacation - Issue 2, 2020 - 39

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK FROM
THE FALL FOLIAGE CROWDS IN
THE EASTERN U.S. WITH A STAY
IN THE SOUTHWEST. ENJOY A
DAY TRIP TO ARIZONA FROM
CLUB36 IN LAS VEGAS, OR VISIT
FROM CIBOLA VISTA RESORT
AND SPA IN PEORIA, AZ.

Sedona

Sedona's red rocks buttes
make for a stunning
background as aspen
trees pop in bright golden
yellow hues.

Kendrick Park Watchable

BlaZe

Wildlife Trail-Two trails include
a paved loop allowing wheelchair

A TRAIL TO
AUTUMN BEAUTY

access and a longer loop on
flatter terrain. Along with colorful
aspens, wildlife includes jays,

SEDONA HIKES

woodpeckers, hawk and deer.

West Fork Trail-One of the

Rating: Easy

then turn north onto Snowbowl

most popular foliage paths lined

Road. This road meanders up

with willows and maples, this

As you can see, there's a lot more

AND OAK CREEK CANYON

the mountain to a parking area at

leaf peeping experience nearly

to Arizona than sand dunes and

From late September and late

9,500 feet. The trip is a winding

rivals those found along the

tumbleweeds! It's the perfect fall

October, the richness and

path through changing vistas

northeastern states.

vacation that's sure to please your

vibrancy of autumn reaches its

with an amazing 360° view. Stop

Rating: Easy

family no matter which terrain and

heights in areas about a two-hour

at the Agassi chairlift that lets

scenic drive from Phoenix. Head

you soar over the amber leaves

Huckaby Trail-Cottonwoods and

to Sedona through Oak Creek

of fir and aspen, and take in views

other bushes usually peak in the

For more information on road

Canyon's 89A, where you'll take

of the Grand Canyon to the

first couple of weeks in November

conditions and hiking trails,

in the dramatic shift from desert

north, with Sedona's red rocks

along this 3-hour trip.

contact: Coconino National

to red rock, then head out to the

to the south.

Rating: Moderate.

Forest Flagstaff District

activity you choose.

928.526.3600 | https://

hiking trails for some of the best
views in the area. Fantastic photo

AROUND THE PEAKS LOOP

FLAGSTAFF HIKES

ops come on a hike along the West

This drive around Arizona's

Kachina Trail-In November,

Fork Trail, about 9.5 miles from the

highest mountain wanders along

aspen set the groves alight in

center of Sedona.

aspen groves, pine forests, open

bright gold hues along five miles

prairies and rustic homesteads.

of trail descending 700 feet. It's a

FLAGSTAFF AND POINTS NORTH

Start in Flagstaff and head

rolling course through forest and

Continue on 89A and take the

northeast on US89. You'll find

meadows with a panoramic view

route from Sedona to Flagstaff,

access roads perfect for watching

of Flagstaff.

a college town at the base of the

wildlife and autumn's changing

Rating: Moderate

San Francisco peaks. In Flagstaff,

hues. There are plenty of stops

oak leaves turn burnished red and

for a picnic lunch or a day hike,

golden aspen pop against bright

and you can combine this drive

blue skies. For the best views, ride

with other routes through the

north on Highway 180 through

San Francisco Peaks.

ponderosa pine and aspen forests,
This area of Arizona is home to
some of the most popular hiking
trails in the Southwest. Both easy
day hikes and backpacki ng are
favorite activities for visitors.

Willow

www.fs.usda.gov/coconino/

Oak

Aspen
Oak, aspen and willows
are just some of the types
of foliage you'll spot
on your route. Unlike
autumn in the eastern
states, the southwest
brings warmer fall temps.

2 0 2 0 | nov

powerofvacation

39

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=75181 http://www.sedonahikingtrails.com/west-fork-trail.htm https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55322 https://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino/ https://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino/ https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55112

Power of Vacation - Issue 2, 2020

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