Swiss Alps to the Arabian Desert
I often write about the wonders present in my home state of Arizona, but what about what is off limits? The lands directly connected to AZ are just as spectacular as what’s inside. Arizona may be more of a “sample” area than anywhere else in the United States (outside of California), but Colorado specializes! What’s the specialty in this state, besides thousands of square miles of prairie land? Mountains, of course, which is what Colorado is known for all over the world!
The ranges in Arizona are beautiful to be sure, but compared to the Rockies, most (except in my opinion the emerald and sapphire covered White Mountains), are often quite mundane. This rectangular state is directly northeast of mine, the corners of the two even touching. Within its huge area houses an amazingly beautiful fantasy RPG like high mountain environment!
One of the sub-ranges of the Rocky Mountains, the mountain range that runs through and dominates much of the surface geography of the state, I feel has the most exquisite beauty. These wonders, the San Juan Mountains, lie in the southwestern corner of Colorado, with hills stretching up to twenty-five miles (40 km) from Arizona’s most northeastern point. I’ve only been to this area “virtually”, but those pictures and stories speak volumes. The peaks and valleys are just beautiful!
Often referred to as the American “Swiss Alps,” the San Juans share the characteristic steep slopes and frequently rounded but narrow valley features with their alpine cousins. The latitude is a bit closer to the equator in the Colorado mountains, so the lower slopes tend to be a bit hotter and drier, but climb just a bit into a massive maze of snow-capped peaks and you’ll feel like you’ve been drawn to Switzerland. . without having to cross the ocean. That is provided, you are from North or South America. If you’re coming from somewhere else and vacationing in the southwestern US, or even if you live in the Swiss Alps region, then this magical land of white-clad peaks with verdant slopes can be an equal treat!
Visitors from colder countries and the United States may want to avoid landscapes that remind them of their native landscapes and climates. Whether the journey is to the Sahara or the Arabian desert, the mission is surely accomplished. What if, however, one chooses to venture to the United States?
Yes, Arizona’s deserts are arid and sparsely vegetated in some regions, but sand dunes are not often found on publicly accessible land. One can say that the valley of death would be a good option, and I agree. However, if the individual desires to see something that reminds him of the endless ergs of the Arabian Peninsula, then the Altar Desert in the extreme northwest of Mexico will probably “quench his thirst”! (This was an unintentional oxympronic pun.)
Please keep in mind to do some research and find out a bit about a country before entering its borders, as Mexican and US laws can be very different here. Once you are prepared, then the Altar Desert is a sight to behold, a gem that in my opinion cannot be missed for a lifetime! Although dwarfed by the much larger Rub al’ Khali, (Empty Quarter), of the Arabian Desert, which is the largest sand sea on planet Earth, the sands still stretch out in all directions, covering some four thousand square miles. . (thirteen thousand square kilometers).
One arm of this astonishing expanse filled with arid dunes reaches directly into Arizona, through the southwestern tip. The areas known as the Yuma Dunes and the Pinta Sands are two examples. The Mohawk Dunes, while not physically connected to the Altar Desert Sand Dunes, are an isolated extension of it. The Pinacate Volcanic Field also spills across the border into AZ, adding contrasting dark tones in the easternmost sections or the arid sandy landscape. These basalt flows differ markedly from the typically pink, yellow, and white Altar desert.
Whether it’s a vacation or just an outdoor activity, whether it’s hot or cold, these two regions offer joyous bounties that could easily rival the pristine Swiss alpine countryside or the enigmatic seas of Arabian dunes. For any traveler arriving in the American Southwest, consider that if you could plan an adventure in these two opposing environments, wouldn’t it be a plus to be able to drive safely and see the sites in between? Unlike in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, here in Arizona you can, and there are so many things worth parking your transport for and taking a closer look.