Need to get out of the valley

Greetings everyone.

Just an update on everything, my origional roadtrip plans for this entire year have sort of fell through. However, I do need to get out of the valley.

So, I'm looking for a daytrip from Phoenix that I can take with my girlfriend.

Some ideas i've come up with so far:

AZ 366 - Swift Trail
Mormon Lake via Payson


Any ideas? Looking for a change of scenery, so of course, areas with trees are the best.

Hi Brad,
I have been through AZ a few times and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is one of my favorites. I don't know if this it too long of a trip for you or if you have ever visited. It will be much cooler and greener and the Lodge is awesome. My stepdaughter lives in Gilbert and has told me of the heat you are having. Another is Sedona, not as green though. Red Rock Pass is a nice drive. There are other areas I have visited but they lack the green! Hope you have a nice trip.
Diana

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Originally Posted by Arizona Brad

Just an update on everything, my origional roadtrip plans for this entire year have sort of fell through. However, I do need to get out of the valley.

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New jobs have a way of doing that!

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So, I'm looking for a daytrip from Phoenix that I can take with my girlfriend.

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Brad, have you looked at some of Gerald Thurman's day trips? He's the man as far as 1-2 day trips from the Phoenix area goes. In particular, check out the Bad Ass trip and the Jack Daniels Pecan Pie at Rock Springs. Or the Salt River Cayon area

I would have suggested my favorite Arizona destination -- Cave Creek in the Chiricahua Mountains, but it is too far for a day trip.

You could do a circuit to London Bridge, Oatman and back home. The Colorado River is green and lush from the Arizona side just south of Parker Dam.

Mark

I forgot about Thurmans list! Certainly gives me some ideas. I was actually considering Lk. Havasu. The last time I was there I was 5, so its definately time for a return visit.

Not sure when we'll go just yet. It looks like its going to be a spontanious type of thing.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

You know I've been thinking about a road trip through AZ -- depending upon how much or how little you want to make it..

Just the AZ parts..

- Phoenix to Tucson, including Sauguaro National Park, and the caves,
- East to Chirachua National Monument, Portal and Cave Creek (have a friend who does bird watching that has this on the very top of his list..)
- North through Globe and Snowflake
- Back to Phoenix

This hasn't got past the planning stages, and I've considered Benson and Tombstone too...

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Originally Posted by Larrison

- East to Chirachua National Monument, Portal and Cave Creek (have a friend who does bird watching that has this on the very top of his list..)

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I was the Silver Peak lookout in in the mid 1970's and have hiked extensively through the Cave Creek drainage. If you go, see if you can get keys to the Amethyst cave! -- You will not believe the size of the crystals there. Here is an article about bird watching your friend might appreciate.

Mark