Nevermind Navajo
(go walk around these other places instead)

15 Oct 2008 - by Steve Eckert

This peak has no business on anyone's list. You can walk up a dusty road or you can drive up that dusty road. There apparently is no trail and the day we were there more than a dozen work vehicles (and a front end loader) cruised past our formerly quiet campsite. But visit some of the surrounding attractions and the trip won't be a total waste.

Waypoints for this climb and all the sightseeing mentioned below can be found on the trailhead page.

For that matter, the whole climb is described on the trailhead page. We drove there!

We summited in John's Toyota FJ Cruiser at 8am, with 10' of gain from the vehicle to the rocky high point. There was no register we could find (in spite of rumors there might be one under the outhouse). Radio tower workers were staring at us but didn't seem offended we were there. They did ask us to watch out for the forklift and front end loader, since it's a one-lane 4WD road and they were moving lots of supplies.

Navajo Mtn from Indian Route 16
NavajoMtn.jpg

Steve on the summit, not so very exhausted.
SteveOnNavajoMtn.jpg

The End

Well, actually, it was more like the beginning. The fun part of going to this area was spending a week or so sightseeing. A few images are below, but they only start to capture the variety and beauty of the area. Poor old Navajo Mountain, scarred by roads but surrounded by pristine beauty.

Betatakin cliff dweller ruins, with guided tours into the canyon. By far the best ruins I've seen. Spend a whole day here.
BetatakinRuins.jpg

Canyon de Chelly, free to drive around the top, worth paying the locals to ride around inside.
CanyonDeChelly.jpg

Captured Meanders at Goosenecks Overlook - that's just a really old lazy stream.
Goosnecks.jpg

Monument Valley is a classic, but did you know you can camp cheap and walk or drive the loop after hours?
MonumentValley.jpg

Muley Point has a 270-degree overlook, free primitive camping, and few people.
MuleyPoint.jpg


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