Drive from Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
Apr 27th, 2004, 04:50 PM
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Drive from Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
Message: Is the drive from south rim of Grand Canyon to Mounument Valley a hard drive? I loved Utahtea's suggestion of going to Page, AZ and exploring Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon, but according to the web site, the water levels are very low and watercraft may be very restricted this summer. I would hate to go so far only to not be able to see everything.
Trouble is, I need to make reservations soon, so that I will know when we will be back in Phoenix.
If the drive from GC to Monument Valley then on to Canyon de Chelly is doable in 2 days, we could do that then drive back to Phoenix for 2 nights or at least one.
We have reservations at the Westin Kierland and I hate to be able to stay there for only one night.
I'm ready for any and all advice.
Thanks
Lynda
Trouble is, I need to make reservations soon, so that I will know when we will be back in Phoenix.
If the drive from GC to Monument Valley then on to Canyon de Chelly is doable in 2 days, we could do that then drive back to Phoenix for 2 nights or at least one.
We have reservations at the Westin Kierland and I hate to be able to stay there for only one night.
I'm ready for any and all advice.
Thanks
Lynda
Apr 27th, 2004, 10:07 PM
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Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly are two excellent areas to visit. From the Grand Canyon via Hwy 89, Hwy 160 and Hwy 163 are very nice two lane roads. It's 180 miles and will probably take about 4 hours to drive. Gives you plenty of time to either explore on your own or go on a guided tour.
From Monument Valley to Canyon de Chelly is 130 miles via Hwy 160 and Hwy 191 which are also very good roads. This will take about 3 hours. There is a short cut but I've never taken it and don't know the road conditions.
At Canyon de Chelly I recommend either an all day or 1/2 day guided tour out of the Tunderbird Lodge.
Take Hwy 191 down to I-40 for your return to Phoenix. NOW you will want to spend a couple of hours and see the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest
This route is 375 miles and will take about 7 hours not including any siteseeing.
I haven't seen anything about watercraft restrictions this year at Wahweap Marina at Lake Powell. I know Hite boat launch is closed but you won't be anywhere near Hite Crossing. I know they are extending the launch ramps again this year at Wahweap and they should be done by Memorial Day. They are also working on the trail to Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
I REALLY don't think the float trips on the Colorado River below the dam will be affected by the Lake Powells low levels this year.
Utahtea
From Monument Valley to Canyon de Chelly is 130 miles via Hwy 160 and Hwy 191 which are also very good roads. This will take about 3 hours. There is a short cut but I've never taken it and don't know the road conditions.
At Canyon de Chelly I recommend either an all day or 1/2 day guided tour out of the Tunderbird Lodge.
Take Hwy 191 down to I-40 for your return to Phoenix. NOW you will want to spend a couple of hours and see the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest
This route is 375 miles and will take about 7 hours not including any siteseeing.I haven't seen anything about watercraft restrictions this year at Wahweap Marina at Lake Powell. I know Hite boat launch is closed but you won't be anywhere near Hite Crossing. I know they are extending the launch ramps again this year at Wahweap and they should be done by Memorial Day. They are also working on the trail to Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
I REALLY don't think the float trips on the Colorado River below the dam will be affected by the Lake Powells low levels this year.
Utahtea
May 1st, 2004, 04:54 PM
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A couple tips about Canyon de Chelly:
Ideally, you will want to do the North Rim Drive in the morning and do the South Rim Drive in the afternoon. That's because the sun will be behind you and lighting up the gorgeous canyon perfectly. If I would only have time to do one of them, I would choose the South Rim Drive and make a point of seeing Spider Rock last -- it's spectacular.
You can also arrange a guided, private jeep tour in the canyon at the visitor center. You'll need to to that a day ahead. It's been years since I've been there and I don't remember the cost. But I do remember that it was a fabulous experience. Sorry, but I also don't remember if the guide will supply the jeep or if you need to supply your own. (We had our own.)
If I understand Utahtea's recommendation about the guided tour from Thunderbird Lodge correctly, that's different from my suggestion in that hers is a group tour that will be less expensive.
Question for Utahtea -- The group tour is disparagingly referred to as the shake-and-bake tour, suggesting that the truck everyone piles onto is bumpy and that the ride gets hot. Is that an undeserved reputation?
Ideally, you will want to do the North Rim Drive in the morning and do the South Rim Drive in the afternoon. That's because the sun will be behind you and lighting up the gorgeous canyon perfectly. If I would only have time to do one of them, I would choose the South Rim Drive and make a point of seeing Spider Rock last -- it's spectacular.
You can also arrange a guided, private jeep tour in the canyon at the visitor center. You'll need to to that a day ahead. It's been years since I've been there and I don't remember the cost. But I do remember that it was a fabulous experience. Sorry, but I also don't remember if the guide will supply the jeep or if you need to supply your own. (We had our own.)
If I understand Utahtea's recommendation about the guided tour from Thunderbird Lodge correctly, that's different from my suggestion in that hers is a group tour that will be less expensive.
Question for Utahtea -- The group tour is disparagingly referred to as the shake-and-bake tour, suggesting that the truck everyone piles onto is bumpy and that the ride gets hot. Is that an undeserved reputation?
May 1st, 2004, 05:21 PM
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Shake and bake? Perhaps in the afternoon. You do shake.
I was not bowled over impressed when I went. The guide launched into his spiel and if you did not pick up his first reference to a cayon side marking, tough luck. He was of no mind to repeat any of his spiel, which was memeorized.
To be the contrarian in the bunch, I was less than impressed. Sheer sandstone walls are all over the west; de Chelly is just another place where you find some.
What was interesting was the Navajo legend version of atrocities committed against them by invaders - US and Spanish. Sound familiar? And then we act surprised when we hear of Iraqis being mistreated.
The Navajo of course have no written history of their own, but the continued corroboration of legend certainly is compelling evidence.
I think the Navajo led tour is worth it if for no other reason than to hear history from their side.
I was not bowled over impressed when I went. The guide launched into his spiel and if you did not pick up his first reference to a cayon side marking, tough luck. He was of no mind to repeat any of his spiel, which was memeorized.
To be the contrarian in the bunch, I was less than impressed. Sheer sandstone walls are all over the west; de Chelly is just another place where you find some.
What was interesting was the Navajo legend version of atrocities committed against them by invaders - US and Spanish. Sound familiar? And then we act surprised when we hear of Iraqis being mistreated.
The Navajo of course have no written history of their own, but the continued corroboration of legend certainly is compelling evidence.
I think the Navajo led tour is worth it if for no other reason than to hear history from their side.
May 1st, 2004, 06:08 PM
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Shake and Bake...LOL...Never heard it called that. We were there over Memorial Day weekend and while it was warm, it wasn't baking. YES, you do get shaken!
Our guide was really good and easy to understand and we were seated in the back of the truck. I know our guide had done this for years but it didn't sound memorized...maybe because he had done it for so long.
I'm one of those people who just can't get enought of those sheer sandstone canyon walls. Petroglyphs have always interest me. I just wish we had done the all day tour.
Utahtea
Our guide was really good and easy to understand and we were seated in the back of the truck. I know our guide had done this for years but it didn't sound memorized...maybe because he had done it for so long.
I'm one of those people who just can't get enought of those sheer sandstone canyon walls. Petroglyphs have always interest me. I just wish we had done the all day tour.
Utahtea
May 2nd, 2004, 05:03 AM
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We did the half day tour from Thunderbird Lodge - afternoon - in August, so it was HOT! The jeep was fairly full, so they added a second one. The guide always stopped in the shade while he talked & there was a breeze while driving. They also supply water. Our guide was very informative - told about the history, interpreted petroglyphs and told legends. It is unique because the canyon is still in use by the Navajo, mostly in the summer months. I would recommend the tour!
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