Page 17 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

DISC OVERING THE SOUTHWEST  15

The ruins of Cliff Palace, huddled beneath an overhang at Mesa Verde National Park
capital of the West, then climb where the ancient pueblo of canyon along Hermit Road
into the forested tablelands Betatakin can be visited on (p66), and try to catch the
above the Montezuma Valley guided hikes. Then press on to sunset at Hopi Point (p63).
to reach Mesa Verde National the South Rim of the Grand
Park (pp184–5). In cliff-top Canyon (p64), where you’ll Day 13: Flagstaff
alcoves here, almost 1,000 years enter the national park at Head southeast to the buzzing
ago, the Ancestral Puebloans Desert View (p67). Visit sites pioneer town of Flagstaff
constructed dwellings such along Desert View Drive, (pp70–72), and enjoy its many
as Balcony House and the including Tusayan Ruin (p65) Route 66 relics. Allow a couple
beautiful Cliff Palace. and the South Rim’s highest of hours to visit the stimulating
overlook, Grandview Point Museum of Northern Arizona
Day 10: Hovenweep and (p67), then spend the night in (p72), and venture a few miles
Monument Valley Grand Canyon Village (p66). east to see the ancient ruins in
Accessed via remote backroads Walnut Canyon National
in Utah’s southeastern corner, Day 12: Grand Canyon Monument (p73).
Hovenweep National South Rim
Monument (p176) preserves To make the most of a full day Day 14: Las Vegas
a collection of mysterious on the South Rim, and minimize Take time on the long route
masonry towers, perched exposure to the desert sun, back to Las Vegas to drive the
on the rims of sandy gullies. set off early to hike the Bright final remaining segment of
Southwest from here, and Angel Trail (p67) down into the Route 66 (pp54–5), stopping
familiar from a thousand canyon; don’t try to reach the in Seligman, and to plumb the
movies, Monument Valley Colorado River, and turn back depths of the colossal Hoover
(pp168–9) represents the Wild well before you’re tired. Spend Dam (p124), on the Arizona/
West at its most majestic; the afternoon touring the Nevada border.
spending a night there may be
the highlight of your entire trip.
To extend your trip…
Head southeast to Canyon
de Chelly Nation al
Monument (pp172–5),
where two canyons are
lined with stunning
Ancestral Puebloan ruins.

Day 11: Navajo National
Monument and Grand
Canyon South Rim
As you continue west, take
a tiny detour to see Navajo
National Monument (p170), The South Rim of the Colorado River winding through the Grand Canyon

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