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Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook - 9 members in 20 triplogs have rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
20 triplogs
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Mar 31 2018
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Navajo NM, AZ 
Navajo NM, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 31 2018
chumley • Triplogs 1,993
Hiking2.56 Miles 545 AEG
Hiking2.56 Miles   1 Hour   8 Mns   2.29 mph
545 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Aspen Trail - Betatakin
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Canyon View Trail - Betatakin
Navajo National Monument Campground
Partners none no partners
I spent a night at my go-to northeastern Arizona campground at Navajo NM. It's free, and according to the ranger, has never been "full" so it's a reliable spot to show up late at night looking for a few zzz's.

It's off-season, so there are not currently any scheduled guided tours to the Betatakin ruins and the ranger who could volunteer to do it was in Phoenix for the weekend. ](*,)

So I was limited to the trails that don't require a guide as a quick morning exploration. I would have liked to see the Aspen trail in yesteryear as it continues past the current closure to the bottom of the canyon. It looked like I could get past the rockfall, but I decided not to risk the NPS violation.

The night was very cold and fires are not permitted here. But the bathroom had a heater which was nice in the morning! :)
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Betatakin Canyon  Long House Valley  Tsegi Canyon
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
Aug 30 2017
avatar

 Guides 16
 Routes 81
 Photos 1,269
 Triplogs 1,145

51 male
 Joined Apr 30 2008
 Tucson, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 30 2017
azdesertfather • Triplogs 1,145
Hiking1.30 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles
200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
MountainguyAZ
_____________________
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau
 
Feb 19 2017
avatar

 Photos 5
 Triplogs 1,041

36 female
 Joined Oct 04 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 19 2017
WaitingForRain • Triplogs 1,041
Hiking1.30 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles
200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Sep 21 2014
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 61
 Photos 2,620
 Triplogs 700

69 male
 Joined Jan 23 2008
 Phoenix, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 21 2014
AZWanderingBear • Triplogs 700
Hiking1.30 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles      40 Mns   1.95 mph
200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Traveling up to the 4 Corners area. Stopped off at the Navajo National Monument to peer down into the canyon to see Betatakin. One day I have to find the time to hike down to this one and Keet Seel.
_____________________
All you have is your fire...
And the place you need to reach
 
Jul 07 2014
avatar

 Routes 26
 Photos 1,288
 Triplogs 124

66 male
 Joined Oct 28 2003
 Andover, NJ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 07 2014
big_load • Triplogs 124
Hiking1.30 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles      45 Mns   1.73 mph
200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Unfortunately, this was the end of our trip. Even sadder, although we arrived in time for the second tour, it had been cancelled for insufficient early registration. We settled for walking out to the observation point.

This must have been a bustling place in its heyday. It's huge.
_____________________
 
Feb 27 2014
avatar

 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 27 2014
AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215
Hiking1.30 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles
200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
It was risky, planning a week of adventures this time of year up here. The horseshoe was golden as this was the finest week I have ever seen in this area, any time of year. That said, the bottom fell out today. Dust storms, rain, and hail has me scurrying south, with a few light must dos.
_____________________
It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
Jun 15 2013
avatar

 Routes 1
 Photos 29,248
 Triplogs 1,448

45 female
 Joined Jan 18 2011
 In the Wild
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 15 2013
Lucyan • Triplogs 1,448
Hiking1.30 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles      30 Mns   2.60 mph
200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Mar 09 2013
avatar

 Routes 1
 Triplogs 76

40 male
 Joined Nov 29 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 09 2013
jdnevi • Triplogs 76
Hiking1.30 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles
200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Dec 30 2012
avatar

 Guides 20
 Routes 13
 Photos 3,189
 Triplogs 451

female
 Joined Mar 31 2002
 Chandler, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 30 2012
desertgirl • Triplogs 451
Hiking1.30 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles      45 Mns   1.73 mph
200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Only open thing here in winter. Walked the snow covered trail to the overlook with family for some ohhs & aahs of the Betatakin Ruins.
_____________________
 
Oct 06 2012
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 205
 Photos 9,282
 Triplogs 526

72 male
 Joined Apr 06 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
NE Arizona tour, AZ 
NE Arizona tour, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 06 2012
Hansenaz • Triplogs 526
Hiking
Hiking
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Coal Mine Canyon
Betatakin
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
White House Ruin Trail - Canyon de Chelly
Walpi Tour
Partners none no partners
A 3-day Fall break trip to Navajo/Hopi land.

We spent an hour or so exploring the southern edge of Coal Mine Canyon (15mi south of Tuba City). What a fantastic place! Like stumbling across Bryce Canyon with no signs or fences. I wouldn't bring a dog or an 8-yr old.

Arrived at Navajo National Monument Sunday morning in time for the once-a-week Ranger guided tour to Betatakin Ruin. We (and 15 other well-geared hikers) were disappointed though when the hike was cancelled as the Ranger's helper didn't show up on time. This is another beautiful place and it would have been a perfect day for the long hike to Keet Seel - too bad the park is under-resourced. We walked the overlook trails which are well worth it..

Our first trip to Canyon de Chelly and we walked the White House Trail. This is a beautiful trail into a beautiful canyon - a little bit unfortunate that a wire fence keeps you well away from the ruin.

Monday morning we drove up First Mesa and took the Walpi walking tour. We were lucky to get there just in time to join the only tour of the day (done informally because it was a Hopi holiday). This is a tour more than a hike but we learned a lot of interesting things about Hopi history and modern life. If you have a few extra bucks buy some crafts from the residents.

Stopped at Homolovi on the way home. I was disappointed that the ruin wasn't heck of a lot more interesting than some of the local Perry Mesa Ruins but there was certainly a wider range of pottery types littering the ground.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Coal Mine Canyon
_____________________
 
Aug 03 2012
avatar

 Guides 11
 Routes 88
 Photos 2,649
 Triplogs 243

93 male
 Joined May 16 2005
 Scottsdale, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 03 2012
Al_HikesAZ • Triplogs 243
Hiking2.00 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles   1 Hour      2.00 mph
300 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
DarthStiller
Morel
After our orientation for Keet Seel, we hiked the Rim trails by the Visitor Center. Started with the Sandal trail, then did the Aspen Trail down to look at the relict Aspen Forest, then out on the Campground trail to see the old Contact Center, Ranger hogan and a distant monsoon.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Betatakin Canyon  Navajo National Monument
_____________________
Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney
  2 archives
Aug 03 2012
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 03 2012
DarthStiller • Triplogs 857
Hiking3.00 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   1 Hour   15 Mns   2.40 mph
200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Navajo National Monument Campground
Partners partners
Al_HikesAZ
Morel
This is hike we did the day before Keet Seel after we got our permit. Just hiked all the rim trails (Sandal, Aspen Overlook and Canyon View Trail). The views of Betatakin are nice. I definitely to go back one day and make the hike to go inside there. Also got some nice views down that canyon at the monsoon rains. On our hike back to our campsite, there was a lot of thunder. Luckily the rain held off until I was sleeping. ;)
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Betatakin Canyon
_____________________
  1 archive
Sep 09 2011
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 79
 Photos 2,440
 Triplogs 652

34 male
 Joined Jan 10 2010
 Pomona, CA
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 09 2011
PatrickL • Triplogs 652
Hiking1.70 Miles 500 AEG
Hiking1.70 Miles      55 Mns   3.00 mph
500 ft AEG      21 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Down the Aspen Trail to the overlook, then up to the Betatakin overlook and back. The size of the alcove is ridiculous. Sandal Trail is very informative.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Turkey Vulture
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Benchmark
_____________________
 
Jun 19 2011
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 9
 Photos 1,486
 Triplogs 944

female
 Joined Apr 28 2010
 Tucson, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 19 2011
uphill_junkie • Triplogs 944
Hiking1.50 Miles 495 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles      30 Mns   3.00 mph
495 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
wallyfrack
We were advised to take the Sandal trail 1st, before the Aspen trail & see how we feel in case we wanted to 'opt out' of the Aspen trail. Both together equal about 2 miles or less and only a few hundred feet of elevation. :sl: It was hilarious hearing that advice from a guy in jeans, cowboy boots and a cotton t-shirt. And that was probably the hardest 'hike' he'd ever done (it was a paved walkway, btw!) :GB: They 'opted out' of the Aspen Trail. Good thing. :)
_____________________
No pants!
 
Jun 09 2011
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 6
 Photos 1,634
 Triplogs 186

58 male
 Joined Apr 04 2002
 Flagstaff, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 09 2011
squatpuke • Triplogs 186
Hiking1.30 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles      45 Mns   1.73 mph
200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
GrottoGirl
Located directly behind the VC at NNM, this paved walk takes you a fantastic overlook of the Betatakin ruin. We had plenty of time to casually walk this and adjoining Aspen trail (a 3/4 mile OAB just off the sandal) as we waited for the rest of our Keet Seel party to arrive from Tucson.

Weather was fantastic and I was VERY impressed with the Park in general. The campground was clean, very adequate and there were very few people (however, it was only Thursday).

This Sandal trail really got me geared up for the hike down to Betatakin the next day. Was really looking forward to a thorough examination of the "House Built on a Ledge" the next day; however, this turned out to be rather anticlimactic as I would soon find out.
_____________________
squatpuke@gmail.com
 
Jun 09 2011
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 569
 Photos 11,976
 Triplogs 1,634

50 female
 Joined Sep 18 2009
 Tucson, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 09 2011
GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634
Hiking2.10 Miles 500 AEG
Hiking2.10 Miles
500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
squatpuke
After the long drive from Tucson (and Flagstaff), we checked out the Visitor's Center and a couple trails. First off was the Sandal Trail. It goes from the back of the Visitor's Center to a lookout above Betatakin Ruins. I was able to get a few good pictures with the "super-zoom" on my new camera. It was a great was to get our interest up for the next days guided tour of the Betatakin Ruins. Then we did the Aspen Trail down to the gate. Good view of the Aspens in Betatakin Canyon.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
 
Oct 04 2009
avatar

 Guides 21
 Routes 1,182
 Photos 36,858
 Triplogs 1,570

69 female
 Joined Feb 26 2004
 Phoenix, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 04 2009
tibber • Triplogs 1,570
Hiking1.00 Miles
Hiking1.00 Miles
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
oliverr99
writelots
After packing up the tent and re-packing Nismo, we went to the Visitor's Center at the Navajo Nat'l Monument and started down the Sandal Trail.... well okay, paved path, to the 2nd leg of our 3 Ruin Tour, Betatakin Overlook. It really is a lovely walk other than the bristling wind we encountered. The scenery is fantastic and the interpretive part is interesting.

You do descend a pretty good amount before arriving at the Overlook. The area below the Cliff Dwelling looks very intriguing too. It would be quite the trip down and back to the Ruins as it is quite steep from what I can tell.

The Tsegi Canyon itself is really quite beautiful too.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Roundleaf Buffaloberry
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Chinle Formation  Cross-bedding  Eubrontes - Fossil  Navajo Sandstone
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Kayenta Anasazi Dwelling  Kayenta Anasazi Storage Building  Navajo Hogan (Male)  Railroad Freight Car
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Betatakin Canyon  Navajo National Monument
_____________________
For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.
 
Oct 04 2009
avatar

 Guides 19
 Routes 40
 Photos 5,624
 Triplogs 341

52 female
 Joined Nov 22 2005
 Tucson, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 04 2009
writelots • Triplogs 341
Hiking1.00 Miles 30 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
30 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
oliverr99
tibber
Stop 2 on the trip Angela appropriately named the "3 Ruin Tour"...

Time and weather were against us, so we didn't get to hike out to the ruin like I'd hoped. But we did wander out on the very level, very paved and amazingly well kept Sandal trail to the Betatakin Ruin overlook. Wind was biting and cool, but not as cold as we'd been the previous morning thanks to the cloud cover. Now I've got to get back up there and see this thing up close!
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Navajo Sandstone
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Kayenta Anasazi Dwelling  Kayenta Anasazi Storage Building  Navajo Hogan (Male)
_____________________
-----------------------------------
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.- Barack Obama
 
Feb 24 2006
avatar

 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 24 2006
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Hiking2.00 Miles
Hiking2.00 Miles   1 Hour      2.00 mph
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Completed a 986.7 mile round trip to Navajo Lands this past weekend. Journey included a series of mini-hikes to Navajo National Monument (Betatakin), Mystery Valley, Monument Valley, Upper Antelope Canyon, and Lower Antelope Canyon. Some had the required Navajo Guides (many thanks to Rosie, Delvin, and Brandon for their excellent insight and commentary!).

A call earlier in the week to the Park Ranger (928-672-2700) indicated that there would only be a guided hike to the ruins on Saturday 2/25. Since this didn't fit my schedule, had to settle for the "tourist" hikes up along the rim (1.2 mile Sandal Trail) and into the valley (0.8 mile Aspen Forest Overlook Trail).

Had the park to myself. Met a German couple just as I was leaving the Visitor's Center. Scenery is spectacular, inspiring a promised backpack to Keet Seel some time in the near future...
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Kayenta Anasazi Building - Unknown Function  Kayenta Anasazi Dwelling  Kayenta Anasazi Kiva  Kayenta Anasazi Storage Building  Wagon
_____________________
 
Jan 15 2006
avatar

 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

44 male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Sandal Trail - Betatakin OverlookNortheast, AZ
Sandal Trail - Betatakin Overlook
Northeast, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 15 2006
PaleoRob • Triplogs 1,135
Hiking1.20 Miles
Hiking1.20 Miles   1 Hour      1.20 mph
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Father and brother-in-law out to visit. Took them on the Sandal Trail overlook. Suitably impressed. I can't wait to get down in there myself.
_____________________
"The only thing we did was wrong was staying in the wilderness to long...the only thing we did was right was the day we started to fight..."
-Old Spiritual
My book, The Marauders on Lulu and Amazon
 
average hiking speed 2.14 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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