2020 May: Southwest Photography Run - Gauging Interest

All,

In May of 2020, I'm going to make a vacation with my Taco to several iconic Southwestern locations... However, this isn't for off-road technical runs, but it will be setup mainly as a landscape photography trip with a basic game plan to follow, flexible to account for weather and lighting conditions as needed, and will probably include lots of impromptu stops for photographic opportunities. Thus far, myself and @erice are committed for the trip. The purpose? It's my birthday in May and that's what I want to do!

The goal will be to do as much ground tent, RTT, or bed tent type camping as possible, with occasional stops at sites or cheap motels for the occasional shower depending on the needs of any wife's, g/fs, etc. Some trails we do might be double backed on or redone for sunset, sunrise, or nighttime shooting. This is all about photography, pure and simple. The locations we're going to will be easier to do with our Tacos and more comfortable and 2WDs are certainly welcome since the plans shouldn't require 4WD unless there are weather related issues.

So, we have tentative goals set for the following locations:

* One night of camping on the banks of the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

* North Rim of the Grand Canyon since the crowds are less and my photography contacts in AZ say that is actually much more photogenic than the commercialized South Rim. More trees and a forest environment as well.

* Live and in the flesh true to the core wild horses. Of two possibilities, the Salt River Wild Horses outside of PHX aren't recognized on the federal Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, but are protected by local, state, and tribal authorities. They are adapted to the desert environment they live in with unfettered access to the Salt River. The other possibility are the Heber Wild Horses in Northern Arizona which are are recognized on the 1971 WFRHB Act and are in a wooded forest mixed with grass meadows. Depending on where the Heber's are found, it will be on an easy graded forest road or following an old wagon trail that isn't maintained by any means.

* Monument Valley - This might need two nights for all of the possible lighting conditions, locations, etc. They have a nice camping ground on-site.

* Valley of the God's - Reportedly, there are camping sites within the park.

* Out of Africa Wildlife Park - Get up close and personal with Lions, Tigers, Wolves, watch keepers play with a tiger in their pool, and watch the staff feed all of their predictors raw meat. I love this place and it's an open to close experience that you won't easily forget.

* Broken Arrow Trail - This would be the only true "off-road" trail and we'll need to research it more for 2WD friendliness, stock suspensions, etc. Initial reports are that the majority of the trail is fine, but there are parts that correct lines will be required for stock rigs.

* Sedona

* Other locations as suggested or recommended.

Arizona TW folks are more than welcome too.

Current Interested Members:
@Norsemanvike
@erice

 

Looks like a great trip. So how long are you looking at? About 6-7 days?

 

Robbers Roost aka Shamans cave, near Sedona, makes for great landscapes around sunset as the opposing canyon will be lit up in the twilight. Truck can make it easily to the top of the road and from there it is a .5 mile hike to the cave.

 

I'm guessing 6-10 days depending how much folks want to pack in. Folks could also head back early as needed.

Thanks for the tip. If I can't locate this on a map, I'll send you a PM.

 

@TacomaDave You ought to check this trip out!

 

Yes. That looks right up my alley. I'll keep in mind when planning next years trips. Thanks for the heads up.

Edit: I'm wondering if possible to combine this with Overland Expo West in Flagstaff. I think it happens in May.

 

This sounds interesting. I'll keep a watch on this for more detail.

 

If you're going to the North Rim you might as well go to Powell.

 

No prob, the area of the cave is all NFS land so some solid dispersed camping options with some cool views. easy roads as long as dry. Not too terribly far from town either.

Schnebly Hill Road is another cool area with decent camping. If you cross I17 you can go from red rock to Ponderosa forest

FS 231 above Oak Creek on the west side of the 89A is pretty epic for landscape views over Sedona.

 

Love the Oak Creek area

 

This sounds awesome. We're super busy right now but hopefully things will have calmed down by then. I'll check back in.

 

Hey @Norsemanvike I this still a thing? Just wondering. Trying to plan my summer out.

 

It is, but it's on hold at the moment because I applied to be temp 2020 Census worker and if they hire me, I'll be starting in April and finishing in June or July. Then we'll get this done during the height of Milky Way season. If the Census dosn't pick me up, we're likely looking at the end of May sometime.

 

Okay

 

Did a road trip through most of those places a few years ago with my former car...Beautiful spots! can't do it but ENJOY!