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Grand Canyon - Any info
Grand Canyon - Any info
We're going to the Grand Canyon for the first time in October (we don't do St. John in hurricane season) any information and must do's would be appreciated.
Carol
Carol
We were there in late September a few years ago. We were in Arizona for a wedding and spent 2 or 3 nights at the Canyon before the wedding. We stayed at one of the lodges in the National Park on the south rim.
http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/
There's a variety of lodges but they often fill up a good while in advance. Some lodges are are beautiful old places, some are much more modern. Some are right on the canyon rim, others are a short distance away. We stayed at the Yavapai Lodge. It wouldn't have been my choice, but it was what was available and it was certainly adequate. There are a few restaurants right on the rim.
We really loved it. I'm glad we went at the time of year that we did. Summertime would have been much different. In fall it's much less crowded and it's cooled off. Nights were very chilly but days were pleasant. You're at a pretty high elevation. There's significant temperature and climate change as you go from Phoenix to Sedona to Flagstaff and on to the canyon.
If you're a hiker, I'd encourage you to go down into the canyon a ways. We took the Bright Angel Trail part way down. The park also runs mule rides into the canyon, but we enjoy hiking. You get a whole different experience of the canyon once you're below the rim. We also made it a point to get up early to be at the rim for sunrise. It's quite chilly early in the morning but the experience is memorable.
We also enjoyed getting out to some of the ruins around Flagstaff. Sedona is gorgeous country and there's a wonderful drive up Oak Creek Canyon from Sedona to Flagstaff. I was really awed by the Painted Desert. Our main reason for being there was the wedding, but we wished we'd given ourselves more time to get around. There's something pretty mythic about the southwest. We'd like to go back sometime to retrace our last trip and to also get up into Utah.
http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/
There's a variety of lodges but they often fill up a good while in advance. Some lodges are are beautiful old places, some are much more modern. Some are right on the canyon rim, others are a short distance away. We stayed at the Yavapai Lodge. It wouldn't have been my choice, but it was what was available and it was certainly adequate. There are a few restaurants right on the rim.
We really loved it. I'm glad we went at the time of year that we did. Summertime would have been much different. In fall it's much less crowded and it's cooled off. Nights were very chilly but days were pleasant. You're at a pretty high elevation. There's significant temperature and climate change as you go from Phoenix to Sedona to Flagstaff and on to the canyon.
If you're a hiker, I'd encourage you to go down into the canyon a ways. We took the Bright Angel Trail part way down. The park also runs mule rides into the canyon, but we enjoy hiking. You get a whole different experience of the canyon once you're below the rim. We also made it a point to get up early to be at the rim for sunrise. It's quite chilly early in the morning but the experience is memorable.
We also enjoyed getting out to some of the ruins around Flagstaff. Sedona is gorgeous country and there's a wonderful drive up Oak Creek Canyon from Sedona to Flagstaff. I was really awed by the Painted Desert. Our main reason for being there was the wedding, but we wished we'd given ourselves more time to get around. There's something pretty mythic about the southwest. We'd like to go back sometime to retrace our last trip and to also get up into Utah.
I had really wanted to stay at the El Tovar, right on the rim, but as said, it books way in advance... we called every day and finally got a cancellation... But the BEST thing was, when we showed up, it was close to 6pm and they were releasing rooms. We were able to snag one of 4 (I think, maybe 2) suites that are truly right on the rim. The El Tovar was built so long ago that the rooms don't take advantage of the view, but our front-facing room did, and the view was absolutely incredible.
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
DH and I stayed there years ago in a rimside cabin. It was kind of rustic and really great. Then we had a couple nights in the El Tovar. We booked through a company with a man's name... Fred Harvey? This was about 16 years ago, so all the booking was done via snail mail requests. Now I'm looking again... maybe it's the Bright Angel cabins? All I know is that we had this little cabin right by the edge, and it was really great. I'd love to go there with the kids sometime.
Our first choice would have been one of the cabins, second choice would have been El Tovar. The Yavapai Lodge was fine, but was a bit of a walk or a short drive from the rim. It also lacks the charm/history of some of the other places are so rich in.
We didn't get started on our planning until too late to get a reservation of our choosing. For a while we did call regularly hoping for a cancellation, then just decided to go with what we had. It worked out fine, but when we do it again, we'll definitely plan ahead so we can be in one of the other places.
We didn't get started on our planning until too late to get a reservation of our choosing. For a while we did call regularly hoping for a cancellation, then just decided to go with what we had. It worked out fine, but when we do it again, we'll definitely plan ahead so we can be in one of the other places.
) glad that you mentioned about it being chilly at night as I was unsure what to expect as far as that goes. I will plan accordingly. We arrive Sept. 23rd I think so timing is about the same. Thanks.There's really quite a range of climates in Arizona. We went from sleeping with a/c in Scottsdale to sleeping with the heat on at the Canyon and they're just a few hours drive apart. Even at the canyon there's a significant range between the north and south rims and a much more dramatic range as you go deeper down into the canyon. Hiking down into the canyon we were hot.
I never knew what the temps actually were, but when we were out waiting for sunrise it may have been in the 40s, possibly even high 30s. We put on layers of most of the clothes we had with us. Then within a few hours, it was pleasant, maybe even kind of warm.
I never knew what the temps actually were, but when we were out waiting for sunrise it may have been in the 40s, possibly even high 30s. We put on layers of most of the clothes we had with us. Then within a few hours, it was pleasant, maybe even kind of warm.
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Sun4MySoul
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 1:37 pm
- Location: NC
I have been to both rims of the canyon and though the South Rim is the most visited...I have to put a plug in here for the North Rim.
The terrain and scenery are completely different. (more forested areas and wildlife heading into the North Rim). There are less than half the tourists that you find on the South Rim.
I'm hiker/camper and I enjoyed the solitude and the terrain much more on the North Rim. I can't speak for accomodations, as I stayed in the National Park campground...but I agree that no matter where you stay, DEFINITELY get below the rim via hiking, mule ride or helicopter...whatever. Its a whole different world down there.
The terrain and scenery are completely different. (more forested areas and wildlife heading into the North Rim). There are less than half the tourists that you find on the South Rim.
I'm hiker/camper and I enjoyed the solitude and the terrain much more on the North Rim. I can't speak for accomodations, as I stayed in the National Park campground...but I agree that no matter where you stay, DEFINITELY get below the rim via hiking, mule ride or helicopter...whatever. Its a whole different world down there.
