More from Fall 2017 AZ Trip

I promised more photos and here they come. The first batch is from the train trip. I'll put a little note with each one.

 The notorious SOB Canyon Bridge--a challenge
when line built in the early 1900s

The next shot is looking down into the SOB Canyon from the bridge as the train crosses it.

The third is just a general view up into the canyon as the valley narrows to only a few hundred feet across and becomes a real canyon.
 It also shows some of the darker rock (basalt?) that probably spilled over the area when some of the volcanoes were active, as little as 1000-1200 years ago!

The next two show two sides of Black Mountain. It shows a lot of red rocks--the same Coconino Sandstone that gives the Sedona and Oak Creek area its colors. However a black volcanic cap tops it and extends down the sides in many places  places as well. The picture after it shows where Sycamore Canyon flows into the Verde and the looming cliffs above are the back side of Black Mountain. Sycamore is now a wilderness area and in many ways as spectacular or more than Oak Creek Canyon and even the famed Grand Canyon!


Next a good look at the red rocks, many shades of them, contrasted with the bright green of trees along the river--which runs all year at this point, fairly early in its travels. And of course the brilliant blue of Arizona's turquoise fall sky!

And last, Eagle Rock, one of the several named formations up in the canyon. It really does resemble an eagle and is very appropriate since both Golden and Bald eagles can be viewed and are known to nest in the canyon.

BTW, disregard the dates! My batteries zonked early in the trip, right after the SOB shots in fact and I was struggling to reset things and not miss any photo ops. I did not get it right until late that afternoon!