Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon Scenic drive to Flagstaff

Yesterday we spent most of the day sightseeing around Sedona and then drove up Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff. Here is a cut and paste from Google as I write this:

Sedona is an Arizona desert town near Flagstaff that’s surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. It’s noted for its mild climate and vibrant arts community. Uptown Sedona is dense with New Age shops, spas and art galleries. On the town’s outskirts, numerous trailheads access Red Rock State Park, which offers bird-watching, hiking and picnicking spots.

Elevation: 4,326′

Weather: 56°F (13°C), Wind NE at 11 mph (18 km/h), 31% Humidity

Local time: Saturday 5:53 AM

Notice the current temp is 56 but my motorhome outside thermometer says it is 53. The forecast is for a high of 85 today. Compare that to Phoenix which is currently 77 and forecast for a high of 102.

Some of the buttes around Sedona 

The town of Sedona down below

After driving around the Sedona area and taking photos we drove up the Oak Creek Canyon Scenic drive until we intersected with I-17. Near the end of the canyon there is an abrupt altitude change as you climb up to the rim. In the following photo you can see the road meandering up the canyon wall and it put me in mind of some of the mountain roads in the Smokies.

Climbing up to the rim

View from the rim

After we reached the top and continued north we were treated to a view of the snow capped San Francisco Peaks behind Flagstaff. Humphreys Peak is the tallest mountain in Arizona at 12,635 feet. We are viewing the mountains at an elevation of approximately 7000 feet.

San Francisco range behind Flagstaff

Then we turned around and picked up I-17 south to head back to the campground. We had only gone a few miles before we saw two signs, one reading "scenic view ahead" and the other "downhill grade for the next 18 miles - check your brakes". Since the campground is about 4000 feet and Flagstaff is close to 7000 feet, we need to loose approximately 3000 feet before we get there.

Scenic view before the 18 mile downhill grade