Four Corners, USA

Above, the West Mitten at Monument Valley during a sunrise tour. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that autumn is just around the corner, it is a good time to head out into the Four Corners region of the United States. There's plenty to see and do under cooler temperatures.

The Four Corners is the subject of a travel article originating from New Zealand and is posted at The Press. 

It begins with:

Four Corners, United States, is an area that has always fascinated me during my career in conservation. Here on the border of Utah, Nevada, Colorado and Arizona are the most remarkable set of national parks, state parks and Navajo tribal reserves set aside specifically for their geological, cultural and biodiversity values.

My first trip here was backpacking through the US in 1983, then showing my parents these incredible parks in 1992, and occasional weekend visits when I was collaborating with the US Antarctic Program and Colorado State University in Denver for Antarctica New Zealand. So many good memories of snowcapped mountains, blue skies and bright yellow cottonwoods in the autumn come flooding back.

To read the full article, go here. 

Explore Navajo Nation Parks

Above, the Right Mitten and Merrick Butte in Monument Valley Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As the Navajo Nation has reopened its tribal parks (some coronavirus-related restrictions and rules apply to visitors), Cowboy Lifestyle Network has posted an article on different ones visitors can now enjoy.

The begin it with:

The Navajo Nation Reservation is an extraordinary place as it is over 25,000 miles and covers over four states: New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Come experience the breathtaking views of what the Navajo Nation Parks have to offer.

The Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation oversee all Navajo Tribal Parks in the Navajo Nation Reservation. Private lands make up the Navajo Nation which means all non-Navajo travelers and visitors must comply with and abide by the regulations, policies, and laws that are communicated by the Navajo Nation Government. Their intent is to continue the caretaking of Mother Earth, which Navajos respect at all times. For further information on rules and regulations please click here. 

To read more, go here. 

Best Things To Do At Navajo Nation Iconic Parks

Above, some Monument Valley petroglyphs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Navajo Nation is vast area that covers much of northern Arizona and New Mexico and some areas of Utah.

Parts of it are actually across Interstate 40 from my home in Jamestown, New Mexico.

The Navajo Nation has, what AZ Central calls, "iconic parks" to visit.

AZ Central has posted an article on what to do at four of the Navajo Nation parks.

They begin with:

Spread across northeastern Arizona is a spectacular landscape of colorful buttes and mesas, forested mountains, deep-cut canyons and ancient archeological sites that make up the Navajo Nation.

During the pandemic, it has been mostly off-limits to outsiders. Now that parks across the Navajo Nation have cautiously reopened, visitors can once again explore the stunning scenery and rich culture.

Currently, the parks are open at 50 percent capacity, which means services and operations are limited. Some restrictions are still in effect. Yet there’s still plenty to see and do if you’d like to plan an epic road trip.

Remember that masks are mandatory in the Navajo Nation. Please wear your mask. And unlike the rest of Arizona, the Navajo Nation observes Daylight Savings Time. Plan accordingly.

To read more, go here. 

Experience The Spectacle of Monument Valley

Above, Ear of the Wind arch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that Navajo tribal parks have reopened, although at 50% capacity, a visit to Monument Valley Tribal Park that is located at the Arizona - Utah border is now doable.

Above, yours truly at the left and right mittens. 

The Las Vegas Review-Journal has posted an article on the best way to experience the spectacle of Monument Valley. I last visited Monument Valley in November 2016 and stayed at Goulding's Lodge Campground.

The article begins with:

One of the most picturesque places in the world is practically at our doorstep — the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Located on the border of Utah and Arizona, the park boasts buttes, mesas, spires, pinnacles and arches, arranged in some of the finest panoramic views on Earth.

You’ve no doubt seen the photographs, or scenes from the movies that were filmed here, but seeing the place firsthand is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, well worth the six- or seven-hour drive.

The park was established in 1958 and encompasses 91,696 acres, all within the 16-million acre Navajo Reservation. The Diné, as the Navajo people refer to themselves, have called this region home for more than 400 years. Prior to that Ancestral Puebloans lived here.

You can get a few classic views just driving around the area or by taking in some popular viewpoints, but most of the real treasures are off-limits to visitors traveling on their own. The absolute best way to discover the place is by taking a tour with an approved Navajo guide. These Jeep tours run different lengths, and if you have the time I highly recommend doing a full-day trip.

I took a two-hour tour of Monument Valley with Goulding's Tours back in 2016. It was an enjoyable tour, although it was cold and windy that day. We were comfortable in the tour van.

Above, the tour van that took me around Monument Valley in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Navajo Nation Tribal Parks Reopen July 12

Above, Monument Valley is one of the tribal parks reopening at 50% capacity. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finally, after nearly 16 months of being closed due to the pandemic, the Navajo tribal parks now have a definite reopening date.

The Navajo Times reported:

President Jonathan Nez announced on Tuesday morning that the Navajo Nation parks will reopen – with coronavirus safety protocols developed by the Indian Health Service – at 50% capacity on Monday, July 12.

Nez signed the Navajo Nation Council resolution (CJN-36-21) in front of tour operators and their families who traveled to the capital not only for the signing event but to advocate for reopening Diné businesses and schools.

The lockdowns in the Navajo Nation this past year decimated the tribe's economy and caused great hardship to its people.

To read more, go here.

Navajo Nation Lifts Some COVID Restrictions

Above, Totem Pole in Monument Valley Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's some good news from Window Rock, Arizona.

KRQE reported:

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez signed legislation Tuesday to rescind an order that closed the reservation to outside visitors. It lifts several COVID-19 restrictions that will allow tribal parks to reopen at 50% capacity with safety protocols in place as early as Thursday and also allow schools to eventually reopen under a required safety plan.

This means that tribal parks such as Monument Valley will be reopened to visitors at 50% capacity with safety protocols in place..

To read more, go here.

Navajo Nation President Considering Reopening At 50%

Above, Window Rock, from which the capital city of the Navajo Nation gets its name. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Navajo Nation Tribal Council is contemplating reopening its tribal parks at 50% capacity after its resolution to fully reopen them was vetoed by President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer. A special session was requested by Nez to reopen Navajo Nation roads and allow tribal parks to reopen at 50%.

According to the Navajo-Hopi Observer:

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer are requesting the 24th Navajo Nation Council hold a special session to consider rescinding its order that in March 2020, closed all Navajo Nation roads to visitors and tourists.

The order would also allow Navajo Nation parks to reopen at 50-percent capacity.

The request for the special session was issued in a letter addressed to Navajo Nation Speaker Seth Damon June 18, in which Nez and Lizer outlined their reasons for vetoing Resolution CJN-33-21, which was approved by the council June 3 requesting Navajo Tribal Parks to reopen at 100-percent capacity.

“The health and safety of our Navajo people has been the number one priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nez said. “Based on the data and recommendations of our public health experts, we feel that opening parks to everyone at 50-percent capacity is feasible. That will allow us to monitor the impacts of reopening parks at limited capacity and consider gradually increasing that capacity level from there.”

Nez said one concern is possible COVID-19 variants on the reservation.

The Navajo Nation extends into the states of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. New Mexico is to fully reopen on July 1. Monument Valley Tribal Park is currently closed to visitors and would be included in the plan for a 50% reopening.

To read more, go here.