Western National Parks & More - Fall 2015
I just got back from a 36 day trip through the west, visiting over 20 National Park sites and
National Historic Trails, plus a variety of other activities. We traveled through Arizona, Utah,
Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Colorado. In the past I have posted Field
Trip Reports in real-time. For this trip I decided to wait until I returned, as I knew many places
we camped would have none, or limited, cell phone and internet connection. I'll be posting daily,
with a few gaps.
Some of our usual activities I will preview here so you can have some background information.
Passport Stamps - as we travel through NPS sites we collected a small, round, dated stamp that
is issued to the sites by Eastern National. A club we belong to, National Park Travelers Club,
maintains a database with the location of the stamps. My husband, is a self-described fanatic,
as well others in the club who want to collect all of the stamps possible. Some of the sites have
bonus stamps which can be very attractive.
Letterboxing - a fun, treasuring hunting hobby which started in England in the late 1800s. Today
2 websites provide access to clues; Atlas Quest and LBNA. It is similar to
geocaching, but involves exchanging hand-carved stamps between your personal stamp and
the stamp you find in the box.
Junior/Senior Ranger programs - I complete these programs as I travel.I have a blog titled,
'Junior Ranger-Senior Friendly'
Quest Scouts - recently I have been participating in a new online adult-oriented scout-style
program. It has been a lot of fun, and works well while traveling or staying at home.
Instagram - As part of recording my Quest Scout activities and posting pictures, as part of the
NPS Centennial celebration, to Find Your Park I have an account - SrJrRanger
As in the past I'll include pictures along the way and list some of the wildlife we see during the
day. As the trip progress feel free to comment or question, either in the forum or by private
message. I hope some of the information will entertain and also inform you for your own travels.
So here goes. . .
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1272.jpg
Sunset Crater & Wupatki NM loop
Tuesday, August 25
99th Anniversary of National Park Service
Start & End: Bonito Campground
San Francisco Peaks
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1282.jpg
When staying at this campground I usually start my morning with a walk to the entrance of the
campground for a view of the San Francisco Peaks - always beautiful.
After a leisurely morning in camp we spent today exploring Sunset Crater Volcano National
Monument and Wupatki National Monument, the road to both begins right at the campground.
Today was the 99th birthday of the National Park Service. As part of their year-long celebration
leading up to the Centennial, next August, they have launched the #FindYourPark campaign. I
have been posting to Instagram as Srjrranger for this celebration, and other activities. The road between the 2 sites can be driven as a loop, starting off either end of US 89, north of Flagstaff or south of Cameron. It is a great side trip on your way to or from the Grand Canyon. Today, we returned along the road, as we were spending another night at Bonito.
While traveling the road between the two sites we found several letterboxes, including a couple of
webboxes within the monuments. Letterboxes are not allowed within park sites, so my husband has created "boxes" that use interpretive signs, instead of planting traditional letterboxes. Once at home a coded URL gives you a picture from the location as your "stamp". It was
a relaxing day, enjoying cool weather!
Sunset Crater lava
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1283.jpg
Wupatki Ruins & passport stamping
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1284.jpg
We came back to camp and continued to enjoy the Hummer Wars at the feeder. Seemed to be
3 Broad-tailed females who were actively guarding the feeder. We had a vocal Abert's Squirrel
that was upset with us, it appears when we returned we had put our chairs next to a tree it was
up in, and couldn't figure out how to get down. After quite awhile and a lot of chewing out, it finally figured out an exit. By
early evening a steady, light rain settled in and continued for most of the night.
Abert's Squirrel
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1285.jpg
Passport Stamps
Sunset Crater Volcano NM- Flagstaff, AZ
Wupaki NM - Flagstaff, AZ
Wildlife Sightings
Abert's Squirrel
Rock Squirrel
Spiny Lizard
Common Raven
Mountain Chickadee
Hairy Woodpecker
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Mountain Bluebird
White-breasted Nuthatch
Steller's Jay
Western Bluebird
Greater Roadrunner
North to Grand Canyon National Park
Wednesday, August 26
Start: Bonito Campground, N of Flagstaff
End: Mather Campground (NPS), Grand Canyon National Park
Another beautiful morning in camp and picture of San Francisco Peaks.
San Francisco Peaks
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1286.jpg
And another squirrel picture, showing the rust-colored back of Abert's Squirrels
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1287.jpg
After enjoying coffee and tea in camp we headed into Flagstaff for breakfast and gas before
heading north to Grand Canyon National Park. We had planned to hike at Red Mountain, along
US 180, about 30 miles north of Flagstaff. When we arrived it was raining and the clouds were
ominous, so we continued on our way. Thunderstorms were predicted for today in Flagstaff and
at the Grand Canyon. We stopped in Valle and Tusysan for letterboxes and smashed pennies.
Once at the canyon we had lunch at our reserved campsite. Yes, even in late August and middle
of the week, the sign 'Campground Full' greeted us. All schools in Arizona and most of the west
now start in early August, some even in late July. This allows for a Fall Break in early October, a
much better time of year to enjoy Western travel.
After lunch we rook the shuttle bus to the main visitor center, Yavavpai Point and into the main
village area. While at Yavapai Point I attended a Ranger Program titled 'Geology Glimpses',
beautiful setting along the rim. I picked up the South Rim Junior Ranger booklet, which I
was able to complete by the end of the next day. I have now completed the North and South Rim
and the Phantom Ranch Junior Ranger programs. I tried to pick up the booklet for Indian Gardens,
but they were out of them. I'll be hiking through there at the end of November on my way to Phantom
Ranch for another 3 night stay.
Yavapai Point Ranger Program
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1288.jpg
Across the Canyon, down to Phantom Ranch & Bright Angel Creek
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1289.jpg
We strolled along the rim between Verkamp's Visitor Center and Kolb Studio before heading into
Maswik Lodge to enjoy an early dinner at the Pizza Pub. Back to camp for a quiet evening, even
with a full campground.
Rainbow- ending the day
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1290.jpg
Passport Stamps
Albright Training Center - Grand Canyon, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park
- Visitor Center Plaza
- Yavapai Geology Museum
- Verkamp's Visitor Center
- Kolb Studio
Bonus Stamps
Albright Training Center
NPS Arrowhead
Canyon View Information Plaza - Grand Canyon
Yavapai Observation Station - Grand Canyon
Verkamp's Visitor Center - Grand Canyon
Historic Kolb Studio - Grand Canyon South Rim
Wildlife Sightings
Abert's Squirrel
Rock Squirrel
Tarantula Hawk (insect)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Steller's Jay
Common Raven
Northern Flicker
Turkey Vulture
Western Scrub Jay
White-breasted Nuthatch
Mountain Chickadee
Grand Canyon National Park
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Start & End: Mather Campground, Grand Canyon National Park
Spending a full day in Grand Canyon, South Rim. Took the Village Shuttle bus to the transfer
point for the Hermit's Rest shuttle. By 10 AM the crowds were gathering, we had to wait for
another bus after one bus arrived and filled. It was worth the wait to be able to get a seat, our
plan was to ride all the way to the end at Hermit's Rest. This unique building was built by Mary
Jane Elizabeth Colter, architect for the Santa Fe Railroad in the early 1900s. Her southwest
inspired buildings are throughout the area. They have a unique stamp in the bookstore,
Airmailed by Raven from Hermit's Rest.
Hermit's Rest
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...ium/image.jpeg
Once back in the village we indulged in ice cream at the Bright Angel Lodge. Back to the visitor
center for me to receive my Junior Ranger - South Rim badge. For $2 I purchased the appropriate patch, Scorpion - ages 11 and up. We enjoyed a late lunch at camp, then showers near the entrance to the campground, $2 for 8 minutes, and plenty of hot water. During this
afternoon period Elk were lounging throughout the campground.
Elk - Mather Campground
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/image1.jpeg
After relaxing at camp we checked out the new Tavern at Yavapai Lodge. A better selection of
beers, wine and full bar, plus a good pub menu. We enjoyed a pint of Lumberyard IPA (Flagstaff)
and a very large order of Nachos with plenty of meat and other fixings!
Tavern at Yavavpai -Nachos
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/image2.jpeg
After stuffing ourselves on Nachos we walked along the rim as the evening light settled into the
canyon. We also explored the Pioneer Cemetery near Park Headquarters. This stroll is highly
recommended; the information on the headstones is varied and interesting.
Grand Canyon
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/image3.jpeg
Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel
Chipmunk
Mule Deer
Elk
Western Bluebird
Mountain Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
Steller's Jay
Pinon Jay
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dark-eyed Junco
Western Scrub Jay
