It looks like we are going to have a quick trip to AZ in the middle of September. Fly into phoenix on Thursday, leave on Monday.
I understand that it's about a four hour drive north to Mather Campground so we plan on arriving in Phoenix about noon and then heading north.
As we will only be there for three days what sort of day trips are reasonable from the Campground area?
Or might there be any other suggestions?
We enjoy historical sites and day hiking...
Thanks in advance!
Don
with your time at a premium, I would suggest not taking too many hours away from the Grand Canyon this trip. That said, on your way north, exit I-17 at mp298 and take hwy 179 north into Sedona. if time allows, a late lunch at Oak Creek Brewery in Tlaquepaque is a nice choice. Continue north thru Sedona onto 89A north towards Flagstaff and then to the Canyon. One of my favorite areas at the south rim is Maricopa Point, my favorite south rim vists lookout parking area. be sure even if you don't hike, to experience every area along the south rim drive end to end.
If you're up to it, make a trip to the north rim, even for the day, it's worth it.
there's nothing else close enough to warrant spending your time anywhere else.
my 2 pesos, from living in Arizona for 35 years.
Don, first of all - enjoy your trip. Great choice & should be great weather.
I've been to the bottom of that big crack in the ground 3 times, one time hiked down & back in same day (don't do that). Camped the other 2 around Phantom Ranch, but they were 3 day stays.
In terms of day hikes, I hear they've built some really cool trails along the upper South rim that are managable in a day. I think they've also upgraded bus transportation so you can start at one end, and bus back to your camp ground.
On your way up from Phoenix, make sure you go through Sedona. Good mexican place for lunch, but forget the name. Awesome scenery. If you have time to take in Jerome (there is your historical spot), that would be my next choice. You have to go to Williams anyway, so take a close look at some maps. Enter via Williams at Grand Canyon Village, go back via East end of park & back through Flagstaff.
I'll email you some more information & some places you may want to check out. But I've gotta dig out my folder.
Like Joe said, 3 days really isn't enough time to see it all. Sometimes you go up one mountain pass, and the entire vista changes as if you're on another planet. Or make a curve, only to find cliffs you never knew were there.
Thanks Joe, valuable information... a trip to the north rim is in order I think... I didn't know that Sedona was that close. The MIL likes to vacation there...
Thanks for the info Wayne. Eamil away, Please!
Don
we are staying right near there, in 'trailer village', since we are towing out pop up. I'll be there in June, so if I see anything that hasn't been mentioned, I'll post it.
Andy
Come on, Joe,
2 pesos is no where near 2 cents, is it?
JA, PLS SoCal
Instead of going left to Sedona, turn right to Montezuma's Castle and Montezuma's Well. The well is fascinating and I've always thought the outlet a great place to sit and ponder.
When I'm at the GC I either hike, or just sit on the rim and relax for hours. In the morning and evening there are elk everywhere at Tusayan Village, and the deer are everywhere on the rim at the same time. Note: Just because you can get within feet of the elk doesn't mean you should.
Sigh. Wish I were at the GC. Amazing place.
GRAND Canyon- Mather Campground
Bruce -
beg to differ - Montezuma Well is nice, but not nearly as nice as the drive thru Sedona up thru Oak Creek to Flagstaff.
East Coaster's POV
Congratulations on the trip - you'll have a blast no matter how you go about it.
I hiked the GC about 15 years ago. We got a 3 day pass, began the hike at the trailhead for the South Kaibab and hiked down to the campground near Phantom Ranch in one day. Then we hiked the Bright Angel Trail to the Indian Garden campground, and then on the third day hiked Bright Angel back up to the rim, with a detour to Plateau Point.
Being used to trees in my face all the time, the Grand Canyon was beyond huge. Looking across from the rim, it didn't even seem real. I felt like I was looking at a painting.
If you have enough time, you might be able to make it down the Bright Angel Trail, hook up with the Plateau Point Trail, and hike out to Plateau Point for a nice overlook of the Colorado River. But I would research this and see if you think it isn't too far to go with the time you have.
East Coaster's POV
We stayed on the South Rim and got up real early and hiked down the Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch, stayed overnight and headed back up the next morning. That would be tough to do on your schedule, but i highly recommend hiking down the Kaibab or Bright Angel trail at least 20 or 30 minutes to experience the actual canyon.
I agree w/ the idea to swing up thru Sedona and up oak creek canyon on the way up (or the way back)
Garnd Canyon
> Instead of going left to Sedona, turn right to Montezuma's Castle and Montezuma's Well. The well is fascinating and I've always thought the outlet a great place to sit and ponder.
>
> When I'm at the GC I either hike, or just sit on the rim and relax for hours. In the morning and evening there are elk everywhere at Tusayan Village, and the deer are everywhere on the rim at the same time. Note: Just because you can get within feet of the elk doesn't mean you should.
>
> Sigh. Wish I were at the GC. Amazing place.
Awww man I will be down in Tucson for 3 weeks starting next Wed. I am seriously considering taking a drive to the GC. I lived in Tucson and never saw it!! But I hear that right now is a busy time to go there and there's no hotel rooms, etc... and I'm not good at real long drives anymore. I could always break the drive up, though.
GRAND Canyon- Mather Campground
thanks for fixing my typo!!!!
GRAND Canyon- Mather Campground
I have to agree with Joe and suggest Sedona. If you are there at night I STRONGLY suggest dinner at the Elote Cafe, best food I've eaten anywhere. I'll be hiking with my son in Oak Creek Canyon this weekend, truly an amazing place. Its overrun by tourists most of the year (as is Sedona), but we're hoping it's manageable over Mother's Day weekend.
The GC is truly astounding - sunrise and sunset are a must, as the shadows help delineate the far side. At mid-day its kind of a washout, and I lose the sense of depth that the shadows provide.
GRAND Canyon- Mather Campground
Thanks for all the pointers;
KEEP THEM COMING!!! I am taking notes!!!
Don
GRAND Canyon- Mather Campground
Don,
not sure if you were in on the conversation I had about this very topic a while ago, but there was some good info there too. I'll see if I can find it.
Andy
edit, yes, I see we were both discussing our trips..
GRAND Canyon- Mather Campground>Andy
I took notes then, too.... but we just confirmed our trip yesterday so I thought I'd throw it out there again...
We're taking a tent and camping gear in a large check in bag, and clothes in carry on bags... Seems like the temps will be warm enough for shorts etc....
GRAND Canyon- Mather Campground>Andy
> I took notes then, too.... but we just confirmed our trip yesterday so I thought I'd throw it out there again...
>
> We're taking a tent and camping gear in a large check in bag, and clothes in carry on bags... Seems like the temps will be warm enough for shorts etc....
You friend, are from New England.
The temps are ALWAYS warm enough for shorts...
GRAND Canyon- Mather Campground
If your heading back to Flagstaff from the Canyon and you leave GCNP from the East end (Desert View), be sure to Take the Wapatki Ruins/Sunset Crater loop off of SR-89A. If you use the North entrance to this park, there is no toll booth. This is an amazing park containing great native American ruins and Sunset Crater which offers excellent short hike on a very young volcano. If you have time, don't miss this loop, even if you just drive it.
