6 minute read
Sierra Vista, AZ
Coronado Vista
S I E R R A V I S TA , A Z
While much of the country is battling snowstorms, Sierra Vista, Arizona, is enjoying mild winter weather with picture-perfect, snow-topped peaks as a reminder that winter is in full swing. But with valley temperatures in the low 60s, tire chains and wooly underthings are as mysterious as Chupacabra*.
While “going south” is usually associated with rising temperatures, Sierra Vista, at 4,633 feet, enjoys a comfortable climate all year long. In winter months, visitors can still explore without bundling up. Spring starts in late February with mercury rising to the low 70s. Blazing summer heat is unusual; June’s high 90s are broken with seasonal rainstorms.
The Huachucas (say “Waa-CHOOkuhs” to sound like a local) are the southernmost range of the Sky Islands, fast-rising peaks surrounded by radically different lowlands, that create an ecosystem that is among the most diverse in the world, with narrow valleys, steep canyons, and soaring peaks that invite biodiversity seen nowhere else in the United States. In fact, the area attracts myriad avian life, more than any other place in the United States, giving Sierra Vista the nickname of “Hummingbird Capital of the United States.” Here, you can find up to 15 species of hummingbirds—one found nowhere else north of Mexico—and more than 300 different bird species during the year.
Whether you road cycle or mountain bike, Sierra Vista is surrounded by miles of rolling, two-lane roads, bike lanes, and single-track mountain trails. The
Brown Canyon Ranch
Ramsey Canyon Trail
Hummer Broadbilled
Photo by Tony Battiste
Huachucas reach a soaring 9,465 feet with some pretty steep trails for hearty hikers, although plenty of gentler trails still rate high with mountain bikers and hikers alike. One of the easiest routes (and perhaps most peaceful trail) is the path along the San Pedro River. This 54-mile trail is relatively flat (just 100 feet of elevation change) and offers multiple access points along the river.
Sierra Vista is big enough for the best amenities, but small enough for a charming getaway. The city has earned a reputation for culinary diversity, thanks to the international restaurants tucked in plazas throughout the city. Offerings include flavors from around the world, attributed to nearby Fort Huachuca, whose soldiers returned from overseas with a hunger for world flavors. Drop into any of the eateries in jeans and hiking boots for a flavor-packed meal. Don’t let the unassuming (and sometimes kitschy) décor fool you into low expectations. The chefs won’t compromise when showcasing their homeland favorites. And luckily, reservations aren’t needed unless you have a big group.
Southeast Arizona grows about 80 percent of Arizona’s wine grapes at more than two dozen vineyards. Exploring nearby wine country and sampling the gold medal-winning wines produced there is must. Along the way, the scenery will knock your socks off, especially if you are traveling at sunset: blasts of orange, pink, and purple light up the sky. Have your camera ready, the light changes quickly.
Find out more and start planning your getaway at SierraVistaAZ.com or download the interactive guide on your smartphone at your favorite app store. Just search “Sierra Vista Guide.”
Female Hiker at Carr Peak
*What is a Chupacabra you ask? An urban legend, a mythological question mark that roams the Southwest and Latin America attacking livestock under the cloak of darkness. Don’t worry, Chupacabra are as elusive as Bigfoot and you’re more likely to spot a coatimundi than this “goat sucker.”
Carr Peak in Snow
Take to the Northern Arizona’s Skies for the Ultimate
WINTER ADVENTURE
IN CANYON COUNTY, AZ
Written by Megan Hill
Travelers looking to escape to one of Northern Arizona’s premier adventure destinations can add some thrill to their winter travel plans as Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell launches a seasonal stay package that takes guests on an unforgettable helicopter tour. .
Accomadations in Nanuku Resort Fiji New this season, the hotel is encouraging thrill seekers to experience Page and Lake Powell from a bird’s-eye view with an exhilarating Tower Butte helicopter tour with Papillon, the region’s largest and most experienced helicopter tour company. This one-of-a-kind tour soars a mile above sea level over Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend before landing atop Tower Butte. As the only tour operator permitted by Navajo Nation to land on this otherworldly land mass, this rare, sightseeing experience also offers 360-degree panoramic views of Padre Bay, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and LeChee Rock. Tower Butte is a natural sandstone monolith set in the horizon on the edge of the Painted Desert overlooking Lake Powell. Tower Butte rises 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape and can only be reached by helicopter, which in return creates the rare opportunity to view many of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah’s most-coveted natural wonders in one central location. In addition to the stay package, the region offers a range of other opportunities, including exploring the region’s famed slot canyons and scenic hikes in a more intimate setting without the crowds. Some of the must-visit sites and hikes to explore include:
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge View
Photo by Jeremy Koreski
HORSESHOE BEND
Nearly everyone traveling to the area has Horseshoe Bend on their list of must-visit destinations, but what people may not know is that winter at Horseshoe creates a rare opportunity to see the desert landscape dusted with snow, which creates the perfect backdrop to capture photos of wildlife from afar.
ANTELOPE CANYON
Beautiful year-round, many believe that visiting Antelope Canyon in the summertime is the best, but that depends on what travelers are looking to experience. During shoulder season, Antelope Canyon provides more opportunities for an intimate and spiritual experience as there is less crowding creating easier access, milder temperatures for more exploring and the opportunity to capture images of the winter’s cooler contrast of hues of blues, purples, pinks and orange.
THE WAVE | COYOTE BUTTES
The Wave is one of the most premier photographic destinations in the Southwest located in the Coyote Buttes. A permit is required to see The Wave and only 64 people per day are allowed in the area. Few know that December through February are the best months to better the chances of receiving a permit.
Located within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and just a short daytrip from Hyatt Place Page/ Lake Powell, The Toadstools offer a great place to explore in the cooler temperatures. The balanced rock formations here look like mushrooms and offer awe-inspiring views on an easy to moderate 1.5-mile roundtrip hike.
