I have promised my dad a trip to the west to see the Grand Canyon for years. He turned 78 today and I need to go ahead and make it happen but I really don't know where to start. This will definitely be our only trip so I want to maximize time and money. I would appreciate any input on the besttime of year to go, best way to go (drive or fly),where to go, what to do, etc. We will be leaving from Memphis and if we drive I would be interested in things we need to make sure we do/see along the way. Any help / resources would be appreciated
Trip to Grand Canyon
- Thread starter boorod
- Start date
went on an unbelievable hike last year - scary but don't recommend for older people ( edit to add: who have never been on a hike like this )
I have a friend who is a guide.
Bright Angel is good for kids and elderly and you can rent/ride horses all the way down to the River.
I don't recommend just going out and looking out over the rim. It's 10 minutes of beauty but to really appreciate it, descend and camp out a night.
site seeing > Sedona, Flagstaff (eat at Beaver Street Brewery), See Meteor Crater, see the canyon at grandview or hike bright angel, spend the night at Grand Canyon Ranch, Go Back to Beaver Street and have a pitcher and pizza and shoot some pool.
I recommend a guide if you are going to hike and spend the night.
I have a friend who is a guide.
Bright Angel is good for kids and elderly and you can rent/ride horses all the way down to the River.
I don't recommend just going out and looking out over the rim. It's 10 minutes of beauty but to really appreciate it, descend and camp out a night.
site seeing > Sedona, Flagstaff (eat at Beaver Street Brewery), See Meteor Crater, see the canyon at grandview or hike bright angel, spend the night at Grand Canyon Ranch, Go Back to Beaver Street and have a pitcher and pizza and shoot some pool.
I recommend a guide if you are going to hike and spend the night.
Thank you. He might be able to hike because he still backpacks some. What time of year did you go? What time is best? If you are going to hire a guide and camp how do you chhose a reputable one? How much of the camping equipment would I need to bring and how much teh guide provide? I guess you set it up in davnce so you know what to bring?
my buddy is a reputable one and he's from Greenville, MS. Go figure. He's taken down one of the Bush daughters, Bill O'Reilly and his buds (while Bill was the only one to ride down on a horse), and many many more.
He has everything you need. You set it up with him or someone else he recommends if he's not available. You buy your stuff there (Flagstaff for us). We were in the canyon for 3 days, so we had to buy dehydrated foods, powder gatorade, some fantastic trail mix he mixed up, and 4 beers a piece. 2 For the first night kept cold by frozen foods we took and 2 for the next night we chilled in the river. After hiking all day, you only need 2 beers to pass out. The nights are awesome. You can't have a fire but you don't really need it if the moon is out. I know it's already passed, but May is probably the best. October maybe?
If you are there for multiple days and must get dehydrated foods, get some flavor cubes; chicken or beef bouillon. Your guide should have everything as far as first aid and water filter or iodine pills.
I imagine if you have your own equipment, you can run it by the guide to see if it will do. Sleeping bags, air pad, comfy hip resting back pack, and most important - shoes. Your shoes and trek poles are your best friend. I bought a new pair of Vasque's for this trip. Do a lot of squats and walks or any kind of aerobics before you go.
I know I've rambled a lot but I can PM you more info if you want and get my friends number for you. Best of all, he's an MSU grad.
He took us down GrandView, to Tonto, and New Hance Trail (if I remember the names correctly). They call the New Hance the death march. It's rough.
PS - he makes killer omlets the first morning.
He has everything you need. You set it up with him or someone else he recommends if he's not available. You buy your stuff there (Flagstaff for us). We were in the canyon for 3 days, so we had to buy dehydrated foods, powder gatorade, some fantastic trail mix he mixed up, and 4 beers a piece. 2 For the first night kept cold by frozen foods we took and 2 for the next night we chilled in the river. After hiking all day, you only need 2 beers to pass out. The nights are awesome. You can't have a fire but you don't really need it if the moon is out. I know it's already passed, but May is probably the best. October maybe?
If you are there for multiple days and must get dehydrated foods, get some flavor cubes; chicken or beef bouillon. Your guide should have everything as far as first aid and water filter or iodine pills.
I imagine if you have your own equipment, you can run it by the guide to see if it will do. Sleeping bags, air pad, comfy hip resting back pack, and most important - shoes. Your shoes and trek poles are your best friend. I bought a new pair of Vasque's for this trip. Do a lot of squats and walks or any kind of aerobics before you go.
I know I've rambled a lot but I can PM you more info if you want and get my friends number for you. Best of all, he's an MSU grad.
He took us down GrandView, to Tonto, and New Hance Trail (if I remember the names correctly). They call the New Hance the death march. It's rough.
PS - he makes killer omlets the first morning.
When we played Ricky and Texas in the Cotton Bowl. Remember waking up in the hotel to a snow covered grand canyon and watching the game. Snow really was a beautiful sight, if the Grand Canyon can look any more beautiful that it already is. We didn't go all out on rooms etc., but the El Tovar Lodge is a first class place if you want to fork out that much money. We went there to eat and things but was a little too pricey for a family on a budget. Don't know how long you plan on staying but there really isnt more than 4 days max to do around there. Have a few Native American reservations close, mule rides down canyon (not real safe if you asked me). Also, a must see is the Hoover Dam if you have time to check it out. Can also take an air or jeep tour of canyon. Or raft down river. Some ski resorts close by. Mule deer will walk right up to your car and let you pet them. Had a buck come up and let me rub his head, but don't roll down window too much. If I think of more I'll post again.
Grand Canyon SkyWalk Link
That site immediately streams a video but I don't think I can embed it. The SkyWalk was made by the one of the local Indian tribes that is indigenous to the area. In the video, the building-complex isn't finished, but it was complete by the time we went, 2 years ago.
This thing was outrageous and must do... If you think your dad is up for it. There is nothing physical about it, but if he has any kind of heart condition, then I'd probably not do it. Basically you walk out on a large glass-bottomed overhang, 4,000 feet over the Grand Canyon. Even though I knew there was absolutely no danger, my heart was in my throat and it took me several minutes before I got control of my "jimmy legs."
FYI, I'm glad I went to the Grand Canyon and it was awesome (literally), but I don't foresee a scenario that will lead me to ever go again.... definitely not for a "vacation". A couple years ago, the entire fam took a trip that started in Vegas and ended in Denver (driving). Even though we stopped at, at least one awesome place per day, it didn't even come close to justifying the desolate drives through was seems to be a Martian desert through Northern Arizona and New Mexico. It seemed like there was nothing in a 4+ hour radius of the main Grand Canyon area we went to. Basically we had to drive about 10 hours for a 2-hour or so look at the Grand Canyon (we don't hike or anything so we just stared at it for a couple hours). It was awesome, but now that it is checked-off of the proverbial list, I'll probably never go back.
That site immediately streams a video but I don't think I can embed it. The SkyWalk was made by the one of the local Indian tribes that is indigenous to the area. In the video, the building-complex isn't finished, but it was complete by the time we went, 2 years ago.
This thing was outrageous and must do... If you think your dad is up for it. There is nothing physical about it, but if he has any kind of heart condition, then I'd probably not do it. Basically you walk out on a large glass-bottomed overhang, 4,000 feet over the Grand Canyon. Even though I knew there was absolutely no danger, my heart was in my throat and it took me several minutes before I got control of my "jimmy legs."
FYI, I'm glad I went to the Grand Canyon and it was awesome (literally), but I don't foresee a scenario that will lead me to ever go again.... definitely not for a "vacation". A couple years ago, the entire fam took a trip that started in Vegas and ended in Denver (driving). Even though we stopped at, at least one awesome place per day, it didn't even come close to justifying the desolate drives through was seems to be a Martian desert through Northern Arizona and New Mexico. It seemed like there was nothing in a 4+ hour radius of the main Grand Canyon area we went to. Basically we had to drive about 10 hours for a 2-hour or so look at the Grand Canyon (we don't hike or anything so we just stared at it for a couple hours). It was awesome, but now that it is checked-off of the proverbial list, I'll probably never go back.
I went with the wife to Sedona and the Grand Canyon a few years back on the same trip. We enjoyed Sedonaas much asthe Grand Canyon. Do a jeep tour in Sedona. Also look into entering the Grand Canyon National Park at the eastern entrance. It's much less crowded. </p>
Sounds like you are doing a great thing for your dad and he will love you even more for it. If you can get in, try to make a reservation at the dining room of El Tovar (the historic old hotel there). Evening reservations are hard to come by but you could do breakfast there. The dining room sits right on the rim. If you go for breakfast, try the eggs benedict, as good or better than any I have had in 'nawlins.
Sedona is nice, but if I were recommending a side trip before or after I would recommend Monument Valley. For us old folks you can almost feel John Ford and John Wayne there.
The North Rim is nice and has some good (and easy) hikes for "us" seniors who don't go down in the canyon.
You are also less than a day's drive from either Mesa Verde or Zion National Parks. You could add either of those to your trip.
Flying in, you can choose Vegas or Phoenix. Vegas is closer.
Have a great trip.
Sedona is nice, but if I were recommending a side trip before or after I would recommend Monument Valley. For us old folks you can almost feel John Ford and John Wayne there.
The North Rim is nice and has some good (and easy) hikes for "us" seniors who don't go down in the canyon.
You are also less than a day's drive from either Mesa Verde or Zion National Parks. You could add either of those to your trip.
Flying in, you can choose Vegas or Phoenix. Vegas is closer.
Have a great trip.
And that is from inside the canyon. I have not been to the skywalk but I can't imagine how anything could compare to the hike from the North Rim to Phantom Ranch and then back up to the South Rim. There is a lot to see from the North Rim down to Phantom Ranch that you do not get if you only take the Bright Angel in and out. I highly recommend the Supai Tunnel and Box Canyon. You really can't take it all in and appreciate the scale of everything from either rim.<div>
</div><div>If your father is capable, then the best trip would be to hike down the North Rim and take mules from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim. I have no idea if they do this but I would imagine it is the only way a 78 year old could see the inside of the canyon. <div>
</div><div>It is really not that bad of a hike if you take your time, although it is long. If nothing else, I would really recommend spending a day at the North Rim Lodge in addition to whatever you take in on the South Rim. I'm not sure how others in this thread could say there is not much to do. Maybe for kids or someone who needs a wi-fi connection. We took our fishing rods and fished the whole way. There are literally hundreds of trails and sights to see. Rangers who have been there for years still haven't seen it all. </div><div>
</div><div>One last word to the wise....</div><div>Book far ahead. Hotels, backcountry permits, Phantom Ranch, everything gets booked months ahead of time. I went over Memorial Day weekend a few years ago and was very lucky to get a backcountry permit. That was a good time to go as well. It was snowing on the rim when we started our descent and a few hours latter it was well into the 90's. </div><div> </div></div>
</div><div>If your father is capable, then the best trip would be to hike down the North Rim and take mules from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim. I have no idea if they do this but I would imagine it is the only way a 78 year old could see the inside of the canyon. <div>
</div><div>It is really not that bad of a hike if you take your time, although it is long. If nothing else, I would really recommend spending a day at the North Rim Lodge in addition to whatever you take in on the South Rim. I'm not sure how others in this thread could say there is not much to do. Maybe for kids or someone who needs a wi-fi connection. We took our fishing rods and fished the whole way. There are literally hundreds of trails and sights to see. Rangers who have been there for years still haven't seen it all. </div><div>
</div><div>One last word to the wise....</div><div>Book far ahead. Hotels, backcountry permits, Phantom Ranch, everything gets booked months ahead of time. I went over Memorial Day weekend a few years ago and was very lucky to get a backcountry permit. That was a good time to go as well. It was snowing on the rim when we started our descent and a few hours latter it was well into the 90's. </div><div> </div></div>
I suggest _Down the River_ for non-fiction and _The Monkeywrench Gang_ for enjoyable fiction. You'll look at the Western landscape with a discerning eye and a hatred of man's encroachment on one of the US's most serene regions.
Not as "touristy", Aspen forest, nice lodge that sits right on the the rim of the canyon, and like someone else mentioned, easy day hikes for someone who is not in the best condition to hike down the canyon.
Also, if you stop in a ghost town on the way, and an old prospector tries to show you where Billy the Kid spent the night in jail, DON'T DO IT. He's going to lock you in there and steal your car. He may only be trying to protect himself from outsiders coming in to steal his gold, but still. It's very inconvenient. <div>
</div><div>#heresthestory</div>
</div><div>#heresthestory</div>
My dad and I spent the week before touring the area. We flew from Meridian to Vegas on Sunday and made a big loop. My dad's knee was in bad shape so hiking was out of the option but we had a great time riding around the desert and using the trams at the national parks. We made a big loop going from Vegas to Zion National Park to Monument Valley to Four Corners to Grand Canyon to Hoover Dam back into Vegas. I think his favorite was Monument Valley. We paid a Navajo guide to give us a tour and it was money well spent. Although it was late August, it never got really hot as it rained a couple of times each day. We arrived at the Grand Canyon right after it rained and it was an amazing sight seeing the clouds rise out of the canyon with a rainbow. The next morning, it was in the 30's there. My dad passed away not quite two years ago and he still talked about that trip.
on a Family trip about 4-5 yrs ago. Flew into Vegas>Zion>Grand Canyon>a week on a houseboat at Lake Powell>Vegas. Great damn trip.