Monument Valley At Any Time.

Monument Valley , for the majority of residents, and visitors to the area, is an awe inspiring destination; one of those "must experience" places.  It's span is over two states: Arizona and Utah; in Utah, it is part of the largest county in the state, San Juan.

During the spring and fall equinox, the shadow of one Mitten forms atop the second Mitten.  It's a big deal and hundreds flock to the Valley to witness the event.  Yes, even Roy and I have done it; along with a couple of friends, and it's really like a party atmosphere.  Then we ride over to Goulding's Lodge, and the Stagecoach Dining Room, for a great meal.

The photos I'll be sharing were taken during the day and at sunset; sunny sky to cloudy.  One photo of Eagle Rock-Eagle Mesa even has the hint of a rainbow after a short rain storm.  While many of the monuments can be seen from Hwy. 163, I do advise to not be cheap.  Either go into the Tribal Park itself and find a tour guide; or go to Goulding's Lodge and sign up for one of their 3 hour, or all day, tours.  This way you will see monuments up close and personal that are not seen from the highway, ruins, rock art, and the way the Navajo people live in this area.

Sort of funny story time:  I was working at the local visitor center and a woman from Belgium came in.  She had visited Monument Valley and was quite disappointed.  Why, you wonder?  She had seen the Johnny Depp movie, The Lone Ranger, which had much of it filmed within Monument Valley.  Here she was, on vacation, and nowhere could she see, "Where the Indians really lived".  She complained that there were "real houses" down in the Valley, "Where were the teepees!?!"  The people wore clothing like any other person, "Why weren't they in real Indian clothes; the men wearing loin cloths!?!"

I explained that the film was geared towards the late 19th century (1880s) to early 20th century.  The Native Americans were just like anyone else...people.  They lived in houses like anyone else; wore clothing like anyone else; they were like...anyone else.  Unfortunately this didn't make her any happier as now she felt that she had watched a movie that, sort of, lied to her about the southwest.  So there you have it folks, the USA, or parts of it, is perceived dependent on the film created by Hollywood.

When you go to Monument Valley, visit the museum at the Tribal Park's visitor center to get a true history lesson.  Better yet, go on one of the tours led by residents of Monument Valley; get an up close and personal history lesson about the Navajo culture.

Oh, speaking of films, I am including a film that I took as we traveled to and through the Valley.  Originally it was 13 minutes long, but hubby, who owns Desert Stone Studio , was able to cut it down to a more manageable length of time for viewing pleasure.  Basically you'll get a gist of what you'll be seeing as you make the drive along Highway 163.

Enjoy the journey!

Mary Cokenour

Monument Valley Photographs

Eagle Rock - Eagle Mesa, rainbow after rain storm

Eagle Rock - Eagle Mesa

The Mittens and Merrick Butte - As Sunset Progresses Over a 10 Minute Span

Sentinel Mesa and Big Indian Butte

 View from Goulding's Lodge

Agathla Peak - Arizona side of Monument Valley, along Hwy. 163

Video - Monument Valley Via Hwy. 163

https://youtu.be/VYOTFlM7W2A

Monument Valley Travel Guide.

 Monument Valley 

Monument Valley boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 ft., framed by scenic clouds casting shadows that graciously roam the desert floor. The angle of the sun accents these graceful formations, providing scenery that is simply spellbinding.  The landscape overwhelms, not just by its beauty but also by its size. Miles of mesas and buttes, shrubs, trees, and windblown sand, all comprising the magnificent colors of the valley, surround the fragile pinnacles of rock. All of this harmoniously combines to make Monument Valley a truly wondrous experience.

·        Location from Monticello is 91.6 miles along Hwy 191 which changes to Hwy 163 after leaving the Bluff area.  At the crossroads within Monument Valley, make a left to access the Tribal Park; it is 5.8 miles to the Visitor Center.  

Gouldings Lodge is a right hand turn at the crossroads; featuring lodging, campground, John Wayne Museum, Gouldings Home/Trading Post Museum/Stagecoach Dining Room/Tours and much more.

Monument Valley Tribal Park

Rates

Per Vehicle Pass: $20 per non-commercial vehicle up to 4 people ($6 each additional passenger)

Per Individual Pass: $10 per walk-in, bicycle, or motorcycle

Commercial Pass: (based on capacity of vehicle)

1-4 Passengers: $35 (additional $6 each)

5-15 Passengers: $100

15-25 Passengers: $125

26+ Passengers: $300

*General Admission Passes do not include Backcountry Permits. If you wish to hike and/or camp beyond the park, you must purchase a permit before entering. Backcountry Permits are for hiking and camping on designated trails and campgrounds. If you are caught hiking or camping without a Backcountry Permit, or in unauthorized territory, additional fees will apply.

Visitor Center Hours of Operation

April 1 – September 30 (Peak Season): 6 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days a week

October 1 – March 30 (Off Season): 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., 7 days a week

CLOSED: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

*Navajo Nation honors Daylight Savings Time, DST

Please abide by all Navajo Nation Laws

All areas on the Navajo Nation are closed to non-Navajos unless you have a valid pass or permit issued by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department or other delegated tribal authority. Failure to have a permit is considered trespassing on a Federal Indian Reservation.

DO NOT desecrate Navajo lands and violate the trust of the Navajo people by discarding cremated human remains on tribal lands. Please respect our tribal beliefs.

NO ROCK CLIMBING on Navajo Land. Please abide by the humble religious requests of the Navajo people and do not climb the Monuments. “Navajo law will be strictly enforced on this issue,” Parks Department Manager. 

NO DRONES ALLOWED on Navajo Land.

Our Mission is to protect, preserve and manage tribal parks, monuments and recreation areas for the perpetual enjoyment and benefit of the Navajo Nation – the spectacular landscapes, buttes, canyons, clean air, diversity of plants and wildlife, and areas of beauty and solitude.

Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation

Land Department/Parks & Recreation

48 West Taylor Rd., Bldg. #8966, Hwy 264

St. Michaels, Arizona 86515

Phone: (928) 871-6647

Email: ltsinijinnie@navajonationpark.org

Website: https://navajonationparks.org/

Monument Valley is the mecca for Hollywood films, commercials, television series scenes.  Once you experience this wondrous area of the 4 Corners region, you will never forget it.

Mary Cokenour

Travel Guide to the Four Corners Monument.

 4 Corners Monument

  

Four Corners Monument is the only place in the United States where four states intersect: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. You can stand on that spot and truly be in four states at one time. 

·         Location from Monticello is either 99.2 miles from Monticello going via Hwy 491 through Colorado; or 90.9 miles going via Hwy 191 through southern San Juan County, UT.

                               Via Hwy 491                                        

   

 Via Hwy 191

Hours of Operation

The Four Corners Monument Visitor Center is open year-round, playing host to a variety of Navajo cultural demonstrations, as well as vendors selling handmade Navajo jewelry, crafts and food.

Open daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

* October 1 to March 31: 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

* April 1 to April 30: 8 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

* May 1 to Thursday of Memorial Weekend: 8 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

* Friday of Memorial Weekend to Aug 15: 8 a.m. - 7:45 p.m.

* Aug 16 to Sept 30: 8 a.m - -6:45 p.m.

Park Entrance Fees

 Pay in cash at the gate. (The nearest ATM is five miles away in Cortez, CO.)

Adults: $5/day

Children (6 and under): Free

·         Camping: Not Allowed

·         Pets: Not Allowed

For More Information

Four Corners Monument Office

PO Box 861

Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514

Phone: (928) 206-2540

If you have not tried Navajo Fry Bread yet, this would be a great chance to do it now.  You simply cannot go home without experiencing this culinary treat of the Southwest.

Mary Cokenour 

The Good is Done, the Best is to Come.

As of Monday, June 26th, I no longer work at the Monticello Welcome Center.  My vision of growth and development for, not just Monticello, but of San Juan County simply didn't mesh with the administration's vision.  I was there guiding and advising visitors for over 4 years; it was a good run, but now it's done.


The only mourning I will do is for my beautiful and beloved Doberman, Jenna who passed away that same day.  She was my traveling and adventure companion; we would drive and hike throughout San Juan County's canyons.  Jenna was not just a dog, a family pet; she was my child, my friend; I will miss her everyday...her physical presence that is, but in my heart, mind and soul she will remain forever.






I will continue to travel around the 4 Corners region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah; not working at a welcome center would not stop that, as I was doing it even before I was working there.  I will continue to photograph, write about, and share with you, my readers; my fellow adventurers, explorers, curiosity seekers, hikers, lovers of nature, landscape and the outdoors.

I encourage everyone to visit San Juan County, Utah and all the beauty and adventure it has to offer. While I do give loads of detailed information, and maps, on my travel blog posts; I encourage you all to visit the Canyon Country Discovery Center, 1117 North Main (Highway 191), Monticello, UT, 84535; (435) 587- 2156; Website: http://www.fourcornersschool.org/  which offers information on, not just Utah, but the entire Colorado Plateau...in other words, the 4 Corners region of AZ, CO, NM and UT.  This is a wonderful place to spend hours of exploring within; interactive exhibits for geology, wildlife, plant life, weather, water and much more.  Perfect for families as the kids will love...LOVE..the bouldering wall.  There are hiking trails on the property, an outdoor playscape, clean restrooms, gift shop including snacks and cold drinks.

The Good is Done, the Better is to Come...never know, you just might see me around, so don't forget to say "Hi!".

Mary Cokenour

The Beauty of Navajo National Monument.

Navajo National Monument 

Highway 564
Shonto, Arizona, 86045

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7717, Shonto, Arizona, 86045

Phone Number: (928) 672-2700

Website: https://www.nps.gov/nava/index.htm

In 1909, Navajo National Monument was established as a protectorate for amazing Puebloan sites: Keet Seel, Betatakin and Inscription House.  Unfortunately, the day we visited, one of our party could not do any hiking that day, even the 1.3 mile round trip to Betatakin Overlook.  However, we were able to visit a more accessible site, Tsegi Point Overlook, and the Visitor Center does contain a museum with a recreation of a ruin at Betatakin.

Highway 564 is 20 miles west, on Highway 160, from the town of Kayenta; another 9 miles along Highway 564 will bring you to the Visitor Center.  

About halfway to the Visitor Center is Tsegi Point Overlook, a breathtaking viewpoint of the Tsegi Canyon system including Fir, Tsegi, Dowozhiebito and Keet Seel canyons.  Not only is this a stunning landscape, but the quiet surrounds you.

The Visitor Center staff are friendly and helpful; there is a small gift shop inside, and another shop selling Native American crafts next door. The museum is filled with Native American artifacts, as well as a recreation of a pueblo home located at Betatakin.

We drove around to scout out the two campgrounds (first come, first serve and NO wood fires allowed), and the surrounding plant and tree life of the area.

 Shepherdia rotundifolia, roundleaf buffaloberry & Mahonia fremontii, Fremont Barberry  (1)

Shepherdia rotundifolia, roundleaf buffaloberry & Mahonia fremontii, Fremont Barberry  (2)

We're looking forward to going back and definitely taking that hike out to Betatakin Overlook; also just nosing around to see what we can see.

By the way, if coming from Kayenta, make sure to keep a lookout at the alcoves in those sandstone hills; there are ruin sites like the one at mile mark 379 (south side)/mile mark 394 (north side) on Highway 160.

Mary Cokenour

Historic Flagstaff Train Depot and Visitors Center.

Flagstaff Visitors Center and Amtrak Station

One Route 66
Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001

Phone: (928) 213-2951

Website: http://www.flagstaffarizona.org/plan-your-trip/


Located on Route 66, in downtown and historic Flagstaff, Arizona; the Visitors Center is housed in the former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway depot.  It is packed full of informational material of, not only the Flagstaff area, but all of Arizona. 

The Visitors Center has two gift shop areas at either end chock full of stuffed animals, t-shirts, knick-knacks, postcards, books and all manner of toys and souvenirs. Going down a short hallway brings you to the Amtrak office and waiting area; yes, this is an actual working train station.

Outside, freight trains often come along the tracks; the one we saw happened to have camouflaged Red Cross vehicles either destined for the desert war, or just returning from it.




Along the walkway, that parallels the parking area, there are a set of  Logging Wheels, and two plaques telling their story.  These wheels were restored in 2003 by the Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum and were originally built by S.C. Overpack Carriage Works of Manistee, Mich., between 1880-1910.  Logging wheels were first used by farmers around 1870 to clear the trees from their land. When the lumber industry began around 1880’s, the trees were cut down, the wheels were backed over the logs by a team of horses which were then disconnected from the wheels. The tongue of the wheels was lifted into the air, a chain was run under the logs and up to hooks on top of the axle; as the axle was pulled back down, it lifted the logs off the ground. A chain was then run around the front of the logs and the tongue to prevent the tongue from flipping back up. The horses were re-harnessed to the wheels and the logs were pulled out of the woods to the railroad for shipment to the mill.





















Across from the Visitors Center is the McMillan Hotel, named after Thomas F. McMillan, the "father" of Flagstaff.  Originally a bank and hotel, it became home to the opera house; and now is one of only three local craft cocktail bars.




So there you have it, the Flagstaff Visitors Center, not just for information, but full of history!

Mary Cokenour