Points North: We’re Not All Cactus and Canyon

By Cassaundra Brooks

Some outsiders picture our state as resembling the Sahara desert, interrupted only by a giant hole in the ground (Arizona actually has two rather significant holes in its terrain). In fact, our Sonoran desert is gorgeous and vibrant and something quite more than vast quantities of sand that could fill a billion hourglasses. But one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets is really no secret at all—its northern half reaches elevations of 12,633 feet (Humphrey’s Peak near Flagstaff) and is richly appointed with rugged mountains and peaks scented with juniper and pine. The brilliant blue sky by day and black-velvet starlit sky by night oversees our entire state from north to south. Northern Arizona is quite another world—and only hours away. It makes for a great escape from the intense summer heat of the Valley or for a fun winter getaway complete with snow we rarely see—and that actually sticks. From “active” ghost towns like Jerome to favorite winter haunts like Flagstaff and Greer, Northern Arizona holds charm for its residents and Phoenicians alike. We really do have it all.

EAT

The Haunted Hamburger

You may not see any ghosts while dining at The Haunted Hamburger in Arizona’s famed ghost town, Jerome, but you’ll be too busy to notice this as you chow down on delicious hamburgers, savory fries, flavorful Philly cheese steaks, and any number of other choice dishes on their menu. Opt for patio dining to take in the fabulous scenery and eat your tasty fill without starving your wallet. Don’t pass up one of their yummy desserts, but be prepared to wait—this historical hamburger joint is a happening place. It’s a great way to stave off hunger while you check out this popular tourist spot, located not more than a half-hour’s drive from seductive Sedona.

410 N. Clark Street
Jerome, AZ 86331
(928) 634-0554

Hiro’s Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant

Since 2003, Hiro’s has been serving Flagstaff with succulent sushi and first-class Japanese fare. Sample a varied, exciting traditional, menu as you dine in comfort in a remodeled dining area that seats 150. Pair your Japanese cuisine with one of their Japanese beverages—like bottled cold sake, a sake bomber, or one of Hiro’s special martinis. Hit up Hiro’s for lunch or for dinner and check out its Sedona location while you’re peeping at red rocks. hiroflag.com and hirosedona.com

DRINK

Granite Creek Vineyards

It’s family owned, it’s award winning, and it’s situated against a beautiful backdrop at 4,600 feet in Chino Valley. What’s more, it’s one of only a few wineries in the States to produce 100-percent-certified organic wines with no added sulfites. Granite offers a season-changing selection of red, white, and dessert wines. Open for tastings Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1–5 p.m. and for live entertainment on Saturdays. Schedule weddings, parties, and other elegant special events in their picturesque vineyards. granitecreekvineyards.com

Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery

Javelina Leap claims that “Arizona never tasted so good” and set about proving it with carefully handcrafted wine. Nestled on ten acres in the historic little valley of Page Springs just outside of Sedona, Javelina Leap boasts a tasting room, winery, and vineyard on the slopes of a volcanic mountain with rich views of scenic Oak Creek. The tasting room is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Take a free barrel-cellar tour on Saturdays. javelinaleapwinery.com

Oak Creek Brewery

Sweet Sedona brings you one of Arizona’s top breweries in the Oak Creek Brewing Co. Oak Creek has crafted several award-winning lagers and ales, but there is a great deal more than simply these potables to please the palate. Rent a keg, grab a pint, join the Mug Club for a small yearly membership fee. Sample choice beers at the Oak Creek Brewery and Grill and pair the golden goodness with selections from their hearty menu of midday and evening meals. It’s also the place to find The Seven Dwarfs—a presentation of select beers in miniature 5-ounce steins. oakcreekbrew.com and oakcreekpub.com

Also check out:
Alcantara Vineyards on the Verde River in the Verde Valley (alcantaravineyard.com)
Arizona Stronghold Vineyards in Old Town Cottonwood (azstronghold.com)
Mogollon Brewing Co. in Flagstaff (mogbrew.com)

SLEEP

Kokopelli Suites

Sedona in late fall is gorgeous, and Kokopelli Suites specializes in romantic getaways. That means it’s the perfect time to get away with your sweetheart. Admire majestic Thunder Mountain, situated across from the hotel. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast before setting off to hike nearby trails and browse original boutiques. Treat yourself to pampering and explore Sedona’s spiritual side. Also, take advantage of the time of year to enjoy Sedona’s XX Annual Fantasy of Lights Holiday Special (use promo code LIGHTS between Nov. 18 and Jan. 1 to receive special rates). Unwind in the evenings in your in-room Jacuzzi in your King Suite, all of which were renovated in January. The renovations include contemporary furniture and artwork, plush bedding, and the latest technology. (800) 789-7393 or kokopellisuites.com

Las Posadas Sedona

Breakfast in bed, and not just any breakfast. Luxuriate with a three-course gourmet affair prepared by Executive Chef Daniel Gerson, a Le Cordon Bleu chef specializing in French and Mediterranean-American fusion cuisines. And when you finally drag your rested body from its comfy cocoon, mosey over to the window for incredible views of one of Arizona’s most beautiful regions. As the cooler weather descends, you’ll appreciate the double-sided fireplaces and just may opt to stay in of an evening for an in-room massage. Your comfort is the hotel staff’s primary concern, and Las Posadas has a deep commitment to customer service—they’ll even help you to plan your trip in advance so that when you arrive, you’ve nothing to do but relax and enjoy. Check their Web site for weekly specials and vacation packages. (928) 284-5288 or lasposadasofsedona.com

Hassayampa Inn

The Prescott Journal Miner called it the “Grand Jewel of Prescott” when it opened in November of 1927. The Hassayampa Inn is part of the National Trust Historic Hotels of the America; according to the Web site, it’s recognized for preserving the “historic integrity, architecture, and ambience.” The inn’s venerable qualities don’t mean you must miss out on the modern ones, however. It maintains its charm while providing all the mod cons you require for a relaxing and pleasant stay. Your canine and feline family members are also welcome. Tour the inn and then tour the town, as the hotel is located in its heart. Explore the city of Prescott and enjoy pleasant dreams and sound rest in between excursions. hassayampainn.com

PLAY

Box Canyon (Payson)

In the summertime, hiking through Christopher Creek in Box Canyon just east of Payson is, in a word, refreshing. From the side of Highway 260 (between mile markers 271 and 272), it’s an easy mile-or-so hike down to the canyon and another mile down the canyon. Be prepared to get wet, to scramble over slippery rocks, and to do some light climbing here and there. Alternating swimming, wading, and hiking is a nice change from traditional trails. You’ll definitely want to have sturdy water-ready shoes with good traction, and you’ll not want to carry anything with you that can’t get wet. A decent length of rope might be of use to you in a couple of spots. Kids and dogs have a blast so long as they are well supervised. arizonahiking.org/boxcanyon.htm

Lava River Cave

If you’re not afraid of the dark and you’ve got a solid flashlight (or, even better, headlight), hiking down the mile-long lava tube cave near Flagstaff can be quite a neat experience. Don’t expect anything fantastic at the end, but inspecting the walls and ceiling of the 700,000-year-old tube cave formed by molten rock and walking through the pitch-black underground can be interesting—and certainly out of the ordinary. Wear warm clothes (the cave temperature can dip down to the mid-thirties) and reliable shoes, as the ground is slippery and composed of several different rocky textures. Watch for occasional low ceilings, and although there are no true crawl spaces, the cave does narrow briefly in a couple of places. Bring along more than one good light source in the event one fails you. The lava tube is located about fourteen miles north of Flagstaff off US 180. http://tinyurl.com/p74b2

Sunrise Ski Resort

Greer is a lovely place—located at a refreshing high elevation, with more than a fair sprinkling of trees and wildlife. It also houses Arizona’s fun ski destination: Sunrise Park Resort. Situated in the breathtaking White Mountains, it features sixty-five runs for skiers of any level, as well as snowboarding runs, cross-country ski trails, and even a special area for the wee ones. The nearby Sunrise Park Lodge makes for comfortable accommodations and features dining, an indoor pool and whirlpool, a lounge, and a game room. It’s also conveniently situated near Sunrise Lake, where you can rent boats at the marina in the summer or enjoy the surrounding wilderness on mountain bikes, on horseback (ideal!), and on foot. sunriseskipark.com

Tlaquepaque

The village name might be difficult to pronounce (tlak-eh-PAK-eh), but the village itself is not at all difficult to enjoy. You can easily spend hours appreciating original items handcrafted by gifted artisans—you can even watch the artists at work! Find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for family, friends, and colleagues. Sit in calm courtyards and admire the flowers and listen to the peal of the chapel bells. Study stained-glass windows as you walk through the simple, beautiful chapel, complete with hand-carved leather pews; and if you have pending nuptials, consider holding the ceremony inside its whitewashed adobe walls. Dine with pleasure on French and Mexican fare in the beautiful Spanish setting of the village. Its quaint ambience and unique and creative shops and restaurants, paired with its location in the heart of beautiful Sedona, make it a great place to spend time while you’re visiting the Red-Rock region. tlaq.com

Upper Lake Mary

Upper Lake Mary is, in short, a blast. Unlike the adjacent Lower Lake Mary, it always boasts plenty of water in which to fish, swim, boat, and play. Sure, it’s surrounded by the beautiful Coconino National Forest, and it’s blue and sparkling, but its length makes it ideal for water-skiing. You’ll also see sailboats, rafts, kayaks, and canoes. The minimal fees are charged only during the peak season (mid-April through mid-October). Fish from a boat or from shore for Northern pike, rainbow trout, yellow bass, channel catfish, sunfish, and walleye. Find Upper Lake Mary just off the 3 in the Mormon Lake district just south of Flagstaff. arizona-leisure.com/upper-lake-mary.html

Additional Hiking Resources:
Flagstaff Urban Trails System (flagstaff.az.gov/index.aspx?nid=1379)
Payson Area Trails System (http://tinyurl.com/32clhgn)

ADMIRE

Blue Ridge Reservoir

It might be man-made, but it’s certainly heaven-sent. This beautiful narrow lake snakes its way through steep pine-covered canyon walls on the Mogollon Plateau in the Coconino National Forest and is as peaceful and fun as it is picturesque. It’s perfect for canoes, kayaks, rafts, and small boats; for fishing (stocked with trout by the AZ Game and Fish Dept.), swimming, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and wildlife watching. There are large boulders throughout that make for great places to fish from shore, but the shore isn’t much more than that. The Rock Crossing Campground is open from Memorial Day to mid-fall, and there are side roads leading off FR 751 (a relatively good six-mile-long dirt road that leads to the boat ramp) that are ideal for camping as well. The reservoir is closed in the winter. The little slice of heaven is located sixty-three miles south of Flagstaff off Highway 87 at an elevation of 6,700 feet. http://tinyurl.com/38gbqeg

Grand Canyon Railway

Observe Northern Arizona by an age-old classic mode of transportation: the train. Grand Canyon Railway offers a relaxing and scenic way to explore the beautiful country from Williams to Grand Canyon National Park. Choose from four classes of service and savor the history—Grand Canyon Railway made its first journey back in 1901, before Arizona was the Grand Canyon State—or a state at all. What was once a practical and necessary transport has become a tourist’s dream. In the winter, journey to the North Pole to see Santa via the literature-inspired Polar Express (be sure to read Chris Van Allsberg’s modern classic of the same name to your children before you depart). Lodge comfortably at both ends of the line. Stay at the warm and inviting Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams or leave your traveling home at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park. Grand Canyon Railway offers several vacation packages. Visit their Web site for additional information and to get started on your train ride to one of the world’s seven natural wonders. (800) 843-8724 or thetrain.com

Out of Africa

You may not know it, but there is a place here in Arizona where you can visit wild animals “in their own environment,” although they’re indigenous to a very different and distant continent. Out of Africa Wildlife Park employees manage to form carefully nurtured human-animal relationships without disrupting the natural order. Out of Africa creates genuine and intimate experiences with the majestic creatures we admire. Out of Africa strives to help you “feel the tiger’s majesty, to be blown away by the size of the rhino, and to laugh uncontrollably as the giraffe kisses you for a cookie.” Watch in awe as a full-grown Bengal tiger chases a staff member, catches him or her, and inflicts no harm in their can’t-miss Tiger Splash Show. Note that none of the animals are subjected to training. Observe the animals from unobstructed photo platforms, go on an African Bush Safari experience, feed a tiger, and hold a giant anaconda. Opt for a three-hour Behind-the-Scenes VIP tour, and be prepared for some off-this-continent excitement and adventure. (928) 567-2840 or outofafricapark.com

LEARN

Lowell Observatory

Who knew education could be this fun? While you’re exploring the Northern half of the state, scout out space, too. The Discover Channel Telescope is 4.2-meter instrument that will soon rise up seven stories above the top of a cinder cone at Happy Jack, forty miles southeast of Flagstaff. It will serve as Lowell Observatory’s flagship research telescope. But the observatory has more to offer. Take guided tours, view the sun through a specially-equipped solar telescope, learn Lowell’s history through multimedia shows, spend an evening viewing the stars, try out interactive planetarium shows, and join in the fun on special events. lowell.edu

Meteor Crater

Arizona is home to the best-preserved meteorite crater on the planet. Traveling at 26,000 miles per hour, the 150-foot-wide meteor slammed into what is now Northern Arizona some 50,000 years ago. It’s more than just a giant hole in the ground—and at 2.4 miles in circumference, it is certainly gigantic. The visitors’ center, located on its rim, features an eighty-seat widescreen theater, an indoor crater viewing area, crater trail access, an interactive discovery center, artifacts and exhibits, a gift shop, and more. Learn about the crater’s origins, take in the one-of-a-kind vista from both indoor and outdoor viewing areas, and join a half-mile guided foot tour of the crater rim (weather permitting). meteorcrater.com

Museum of Northern Arizona

Northern Arizona is home to more than one museum, but the Museum of Northern Arizona is a great collection of history concerning the land and peoples of the Colorado Plateau. Conveniently located in Flagstaff, a town of many charms and history and home to the NAU Lumberjacks, the museum features four main disciplines: anthropology, biology, geology, and fine art. Explore permanent exhibits in five galleries or enjoy changing exhibits in three additional galleries. Learn about the Native American tribes of the region—don’t miss the award-winning permanent fixture: the anthropology exhibit titled Native People of the Colorado Plateau. Take a gander at lovely Native American artwork, browse the Life Zone Exhibit with an introduction to the Colorado Plateau’s climate, walk the Nature Trail to the Amphibian Pond, inspect geologic fossils, and participate in so much more. With custom tours, educational programs, and artifacts definitely worth examining, it’s a must-hit stop on your tour of the north. musnaz.org

There is much to see and much to do. We cannot cover it all! Then again, some of the fun is discovering new and exciting places for yourself. Route 66, for example, runs through Northern Arizona and features a number of interesting and historic sights along the way. But the best part about Northern Arizona? You can enjoy it all year-round in a way that complements your personal budget, no matter your particular interests. Start driving!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

rimcountrychamber.com
kingmantourism.org
flagstaffarizona.org
paysonrimcountry.com
visitsedona.com
williamschamber.com
visit-prescott.com
winslowarizona.org
alpinearizona.com
jeromechamber.com

Final Page SIDE BAR

Marshall’s Picks

Read up on Arizona State Historian Marshall Trimble’s favorite Northern Arizona destinations!

Eat: I always like to dine at the Palace Restaurant and Saloon on Prescott’s famous Whiskey Row. The place exudes history, with historical relics and photos on the walls, the famous Brunswick bar, the excellent service, and the great food.

Drink: There’s no place better to belly up to the bar than the Palace Saloon. Being a historian, I feel like I’m stepping back in time in the historic Palace. There are also a number of fine pubs and breweries along Gurley Street across from the old Yavapai County Court House. You’ll also find friendly pubs in downtown Flagstaff located around the historic Weatherford Hotel.

Sleep: Wink Crigler’s wonderful X Diamond Ranch in South Fork Canyon between Greer and Eagar. The ranch lies near the headwaters of the Little Colorado River in a beautiful little canyon with the river running through it, with excellent fishing. It’s one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets. Guests can rent spacious cabins on the property of this historic ranch.

Play: The San Francisco Peaks would be my choice for great places to hike, especially in hot weather. For scenic beauty, you can’t beat Sedona and Sycamore and Oak Creek canyons. With youngsters, I’d suggest taking them to Slide Rock State Park up in Oak Creek Canyon. Then take them to Walnut Canyon and take the hike down into the ruins. After that, go up to the Snow Bowl and ride the ski lift high into the San Francisco Peaks. From there, one can see a hundred miles in just about any direction.

Admire: Sitting on a rock overlooking the mountains from the top of the Mogollon Rim near Woods Canyon Lake, especially during a monsoon.

Learn: I have two favorites: the Museum of Northern Arizona at Flagstaff and the Sharlot Hall Museum at Prescott.