HAUNTED ROAD TRIP 2013
APRIL 9-13, 2013
RETURN TO AREA 51
This was our second trip to Tikaboo Peak, near Rachel, NV, to check out the infamous top-secret base called Area 51. The weather put a damper on our plans. They must have known we were coming. We rented a Jeep Cherokee from Dollar Rental Car at the Las Vegas McCarran Airport. This vehicle was a much better mode of transportation to take down a long, rut-filled road, than our last piece of junk Wrangler. Only one time were we nervous about getting stuck in a wash out. The road to Tikaboo Peak has deteriorated quite a bit since our last trip. At about mile 18 we noticed the road getting pretty rough. Previously you could make it within a half mile with a high clearance vehicle, now you definitely need a four wheel drive vehicle to make it near the start of the hike up the mountain. When we got as far as we dared to go, which was probably within a couple miles, we parked, got out planning to walk the rest of the way when a blizzard appeared. The snow was really coming down and the wind was incredible. We have plenty of wind in Chicago but these gusts were unreal. We didn't prepare for snow, let alone a long hike during a blizzard so unfortunately we had to turn around. But before we did Cyndi noticed an unusual footprint. Could Bigfoot be at Area 51 or is it just a man with a huge foot? Cyndi's size eights were pretty small in comparison. The footprint wasn't real clear so it is inconclusive. It was found after we parked and started walking which someone else could have done too, although the area is very remote. We didn't have any casting materials with us since we were hunting aliens not Bigfoot. Lesson learned, be prepared for anything.
This was our second trip to Tikaboo Peak, near Rachel, NV, to check out the infamous top-secret base called Area 51. The weather put a damper on our plans. They must have known we were coming. We rented a Jeep Cherokee from Dollar Rental Car at the Las Vegas McCarran Airport. This vehicle was a much better mode of transportation to take down a long, rut-filled road, than our last piece of junk Wrangler. Only one time were we nervous about getting stuck in a wash out. The road to Tikaboo Peak has deteriorated quite a bit since our last trip. At about mile 18 we noticed the road getting pretty rough. Previously you could make it within a half mile with a high clearance vehicle, now you definitely need a four wheel drive vehicle to make it near the start of the hike up the mountain. When we got as far as we dared to go, which was probably within a couple miles, we parked, got out planning to walk the rest of the way when a blizzard appeared. The snow was really coming down and the wind was incredible. We have plenty of wind in Chicago but these gusts were unreal. We didn't prepare for snow, let alone a long hike during a blizzard so unfortunately we had to turn around. But before we did Cyndi noticed an unusual footprint. Could Bigfoot be at Area 51 or is it just a man with a huge foot? Cyndi's size eights were pretty small in comparison. The footprint wasn't real clear so it is inconclusive. It was found after we parked and started walking which someone else could have done too, although the area is very remote. We didn't have any casting materials with us since we were hunting aliens not Bigfoot. Lesson learned, be prepared for anything.
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We ventured into the small town of Rachel, NV, and had lunch at The Little Ale'Inn, a small restaurant and inn with an alien theme. The wind here was so strong it appeared the space ship they have in front of the restaurant was going to take off. After telling our server where we had been, he informed us there was still 3 feet of snow on the mountain. We would have never made the hike. After some good food and conversation, we ventured down the road to the back entrance to Area 51, took a few pictures and made our departure before being shot, arrested, or blown away.
CHLORIDE, AZ
We based ourselves in Las Vegas for the Area 51 trip then made the drive to Sedona, AZ, stopping at Chloride, AZ, along the way thanks to a recommendation from Diana Carney, a Facebook friend. Thanks Diana! Chloride, Arizona, founded in the early 1860s is an old mining town located off of US 93. This town, not far off the highway, still has some residents although it is considered a ghost town.
Our first stop was the cliff murals. These are located on the far side of town so keep driving down the main road and follow the signs onto a dirt road taking you out of town. It's not a far drive. We also checked out the old jail and stayed for an EVP session although we did not find any ghosts still incarcerated. The jail is located in town North of the main road, make a left turn at the Post Office, then another left. An interesting place to visit is a restaurant and bar called Digger Daves (cool name) located on the main drag. There are many old mines in the area. We would have loved to stay longer and check out some sites but time did not permit. We hope to return one day to conduct a more in depth investigation. Here are some photos.
UFO SKYWATCH, SEDONA, AZ
Sedona is known for numerous UFO sightings, vortexes, new age shops, and beautiful red rock mountains. We set up a date with a famed UFOlogist to spend a night gazing under the stars in hopes of spotting the mother ship. Unfortunately for us, the day of the Skywatch he canceled on us due to a commitment with the Discovery Channel who, I guess, was in town to talk to him. So we were on our own. Our first thought was to drive up Airport Road which is an elevated spot in Sedona and the best place to watch the sunset. The place was packed at sunset but shortly after everyone left. When night fell it was so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. The sky was so clear and full of sparkling celestial bodies. That spot is not ideal, however, because of a hotel located at the end of the road. There was a fair amount of traffic. Our next thought was to drive to the middle of the desert. We took a 4x4 road off of the main road through Sedona into the Coconino National Forest. Dispersed camping is offered here so there were many areas you could pull off the road. This spot was better than the last but the best spot of all was in the hot tub at our resort. Not only did we have a great view of the sky but relaxed in the hot water since it was really cool out at night. We ended up seeing 5 shooting stars, the most I've ever seen at one time, but no unidentified aircraft. Sedona is the perfect place to hunt for UFOs. A couple places offer to take you out for a UFO Skywatch, including the Center for the New Age, which was recommended to us by the UFOlogist, but we decided to go on our own.
There are many things to see in Sedona. A couple things we did included a trip out to Honanki Indian ruins and a hike to Devil's Bridge, both we would recommend. To get to Honanki Indian ruins you need a four wheel drive vehicle or local Jeep tours can take you there. Take Highway 89 South out of Sedona and make a right on Dry Creek Road and follow the signs. It was a long drive but worth it as there were no crowds of people, in fact we were the only people there. You need a permit to park there and can get one from the ranger stationed at the site. Also note the hours as it's a long drive, you don't want to get there and realize it's closed. Palatki Indian ruins are also along the way but you need a reservation here as they only allow a certain number of people per day. The four wheel drive road, after back tracking a few miles from the Indian ruins, eventually makes a loop and you end up back on Highway 89. Since we were alone this was the perfect opportunity to do some paranormal investigating at the Indian ruins. Again, we did not find any otherworldly evidence.
To get to Devil's Bridge, which is a natural stone arch you can walk out onto and not for people with a fear of heights, take Highway 89 South out of Sedona and make a right on Dry Creek Road. Follow the signs to a parking area on the right side of the road. At the end of this parking lot there is a 4x4 trail. The trail was very rough we did not take the Cherokee. I would recommend a Wrangler. This road takes you pretty close to the trail to Devil's Bridge. If you can, take it, otherwise walk the road. We took the designated trail located more to the left of the road and it was long, long, and way too long, don't do it, take the road. That trail was also hard to follow. At times we had no idea where we were going. You will see a small parking area off the 4x4 road. This is where the long, long hiking trail ends up and the real hike begins. The trail from then on is uphill and sometimes very, very steep. The view is amazing. If we weren't so exhausted from our many mile hike we would have enjoyed it more. We walked the 4x4 road back and it was a lot faster.
Sedona is known for vortexes where many believe earth ley lines intersect creating an energy. Here is a map where they can be found. For more information on the vortexes click here.
JEROME, AZ
Another great ghost hunting town is Jerome, Arizona. This small town sits up in the mountains just South of Sedona and has many quaint shops and the famously haunted Jerome Grand Hotel, investigated by Ghost Adventures. To get to Jerome from Sedona take Highway 89 South and follow the signs. We didn't do any investigating here but explored around town. To get to the Jerome Grand Hotel, which houses the Asylum Restaurant, follow the main road through town, when the road curves left look up on the mountain and you will see the hotel. You need to take a narrow, steep road to get to it, look for the signs it's easy to miss and there is limited parking. The hotel offers ghost hunting tours of the building. Not far from this hotel on the main road is the Haunted Hamburger where we ate lunch. Thanks to Jennifer Lopko for recommending this charming restaurant which is indeed haunted according to the waitstaff. There is also an old mine you can tour, Gold King Mine, go through town, before you get to the Jerome Grand Hotel there will be a turn off, look for the signs. If you follow the directions to the mine but don't pull into the mine parking lot you can continue on a four wheel drive trail which offers beautiful views of the town and mountains. This road could be done in a high clearance vehicle. We saw an RV on this road and had no clue how they were going to make it. I think he made a wrong turn. This road continues on for almost 30 miles, after a while we found a turn around and came back into town. Watch out for roaming cows. The road is narrow. Not much room for a car and a cow.
As sometimes happens with paranormal investigations, we did not find any evidence of UFOs or hauntings on our trip but had a great time exploring and finding places to return to on our next Haunted Road Trip.