Southwest winter vacation

[Ellen]

Would like to hear other experience and places to go in Arizona or New Mexico. Several of us are planning a vacation January of 2003 we live in Alaska and want a warm place to explore. Any advise as hotels, places to see would be appreciated. I'd really like to see some of the slot canyons that are accessible I love photography and would like to spend some time photographing some of the canyons.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Ellen,

Some of the best (at least in terms of photography opportunities) in Arizona are also visited by ole Man Winter in January. The closer you can get to Mexico the better for chance of warm weather.

What is a "slot canyon"? Are you referring to "slick-rock" country? If so, Canyonlands National Park is the place to be -- but you will certainly hit snow in most sections.

Monument Valley is pretty special and the light is fantastic in January -- but it will be in the low 30's and 40's (F).

Actually what temperature range would be "warm enough for you"? I can share some of my favorite spots once I know the range of temps you prefer.

Mark

[Ellen]

Mark,
Thanks for responding. Well I guess I am looking for the best of both
worlds...warm and some fun outdoor adventures that are affordable. 60-75
degrees would be ideal but hiking around with a jacket wouldnt be all that
bad. But since it is winter in Alaska around the time we want to go we want
to stay away from snow and cold weather if we can help it...so Las Vegas and
Arizona and New Mexico came up...just looking for ideas and good rates.
Nothing real special in Las Vegas since we wont be in our rooms very
much..but as we venture out from Nevada to Arizona and down to New Mexico
just looking for nice places to stay that are affordable. It could turn out
that Vegas may be left out and then Southern Arizona and New Mexico may be
the place...right now just in an information gathering stage. Have hit just
about all the southwest websites known to man... :) Anyway any advise you
have would be appreciated...not too interested in guided tours unless that
is the only way to go to see the "cool stuff"

Thanks,
Ellen

[Mark Sedenquist]

Ellen,

60-75 Degrees in January might be a little hard to come by in any berg as far north as Las Vegas or Flagstaff. There are very nice days in both cities -- but in a normal year one should expect rain & breezy conditions with temperatures in the mid 50's and 60's. Snow in Phoenix would be extremely rare, (maybe never?) but we have hit heavy snow and icy conditions on Hwy 10 near Tucson on occasion.

The only place I know that really has a good chance of 70+ degree warm sunny days in January would be the Brownsville area of Texas.

Favorite places in Arizona would have to include the Chiricahuas in the SE corner -- tropical species of fauna and flora can be found there, Saguaro National Park, and the recently opened Kartchner caverns near Benson, and the Organ Pipe National Monument. More later.

Mark