Arizona

Saguaro

Canyon de Chelly

Grand Canyon

The Thumb at Monument Valley

 ARIZONA IN FEBRUARY

SYMBOLS of the AMERICAN WEST
 

Leader: Tony Greenfield

Arizona is home to some of the most unique, famous and unforgettable landscapes in the world. The Grand Canyon, the mesas and buttes of Monument Valley and the silhouette of a saguaro against a golden sunset are images so famous that we have all grown up with them since childhood.

It is the home of the Sonoran and Chihuahan Deserts, and life zones covering the entire spectrum from the incredibly hot and dry Mojave Desert to the Canadian life zone at the summit of 10,000 foot mountain ranges. It is the home of a diverse vertebrate fauna that barely extends into the south-western USA from neighbouring Mexico. It is the home of some of the most sought after bird species in North America. It is the home of the “sky islands” .....picturesque miniature mountain ranges such as the Santa Catalinas, the Santa Ritas, the Huachucas and the Chiricahuas that rise out of the plains like islands in an ocean and provide a stunning backdrop to travel around the state. It is the home of Phoenix and Tucson, two of the fastest growing cities in the USA.... It is also the land of the Apache, the Navajo and the Hopi, of Geronimo and Cochise, of Wyatt Earp, Tombstone and the OK Corral.

Arizona is an arid state, modified only by elevation. In the south it is characterised by hot, dry deserts with summer temperatures reaching spectacular highs into the 50 C range. In the winter, blue skies are exceptionally reliable with temperatures often in the mid-20’s. The northern part of the state is quite different because of its high elevation.  The south rim of the Grand Canyon, for example, is 7000 feet above sea level and snow and cold temperatures are regular, though blue skies still predominate.

The tour will be an introduction to the landscapes and life zones of Arizona and in the space of 12 days we will experience many of the state’s most beautiful and famous  landscapes including The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, the Santa Catalina Mountains, the Chiracahua Mountains, Sedona, the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts and a mystery destination that the leader is keeping a secret. Along the way we will observe many characteristic bird species of the South-west such as Roadrunner, Cactus Wren, Verdin, Phainopepla, Curve-billed Thrasher, Gambel’s Quail, Gilded Flicker, Gila Woodpecker and others of the desert ecosystem.

I hope you will consider this winter escape to the blue skies and the famous desert landscapes of Arizona.

For more information or to reserve your space:

click here to email

phone: 604 885-5539

Box 319,  Sechelt, British Columbia, V0N 3A0, Canada

Updated March 17, 2010