Tag: rock formations
Celebrating the Centennial: 11 Hotspots for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Arizona’s outdoors scene draws people from all over the world. Few places on earth are so diverse – dense forests, barren and beautiful deserts, picturesque mountains and canyons. Our state offers plenty of opportunities to explore and connect with Mother Nature. Here are some of our favorites.Massive Duck Greets Drivers Along State Route 96
NEAR YAVA -- Some of those folks in Yavapai County must have too much time on their hands. That might explain why they have painted boulders that resemble a giant frog, a giant skull and this one -- a giant duck.Exploring Northern Arizona’s Lava River Caves
About 14 miles north of Flagstaff in the Coconino Forest, a network of caverns and lava-encased passages lie just below the feet of hikers, hunters and other recreation seekers. This relatively small slit, hidden amongst boulders, will take you there. Just large enough to accommodate a grown a man, this doorway leads to a mile-long lave ...Boynton Canyon Vortex in Sedona
Famed for its stunning red rock cliffs, Sedona is one of those Arizona cities you simply can’t get enough of. People travel from around the world to catch a glimpse of the crimson landscape sitting in our backyard. Yet the red rocks alone aren’t drawing tourists. Yet the red rocks alone aren’t drawing tourists. Many flock ...Regulars, Newbies Flock Daily to Piestewa Peak Summit Trail
Located at the heart of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, Piestewa Peak serves as a prominent landmark along State Route 51, just minutes northeast of downtown Phoenix. The summit of this 2,608-foot peak offers 360-degree views of the Valley. Piestewa Peak is about 14 million years old, relatively young in geologic terms. ...Face in the Rocks Along Tom’s Thumb Trail, McDowell Mountains
Tom’s Thumb Trail, on the north side of the McDowell Mountains, is dotted with curious rock formations, especially this particular boulder bearing a striking resemblance to one of Snow White’s seven dwarfs. Could this be Tom? Perhaps. The figure appears near one of the final bends leading to the summit (aka Tom’s Thumb). What do you ...Picacho Peak is Destination for Avid Hikers, Civil War Buffs
About 40 miles north of Tucson, Picacho Peak abruptly rises 1,500 feet above the flat desert landscape typical to many other parts of Southern Arizona. It's among the most prominent landmarks along the highly traveled stretch of Interstate 10 connecting Tucson and Phoenix. Thousands of drivers pass by the ominous peak daily; most unaware of the ...South Mountain Preserve is Hub for Hikers, Cyclists
South Mountain Preserve, one of the nation’s largest municipal parks, offers outdoor enthusiasts a quick and easy escape from the daily grind. It boasts 16,000 acres of desert wilderness, just a short 10-minute drive from downtown Phoenix. The preserve encompasses three mountain ranges: Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe. It’s believed the ancient Hohokam Indians settled ...Geronimo’s Face In the Rocks
Geronimo, the fierce Apache chief, is depicted in may ways both in Arizona and around the nation. His image is on everything from T-shirts to books about the Wild Wild West. But none is more enduring than his image in the Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona. It's made of rocks. The face is a profile ...Navajo Legend of Monument Valley
Geologists like to say this vast land of dramatic salmon hued sandstone spires was once buried 3,000 feet beneath ancient seas. Over the next several million years, layer after layer of sediments were deposited, then hardened, followed by an uplifting of the land. It's difficult to imagine, but the tops of these mountains and spires ...
