murphybrown

Hello,
I am trying to develop an itinerary for our trip to the Grand Canyon by way of Phoenix the second week of April. Our ten year old son is losing his vision to a retinal disease, yet, still has very functional peripheral vision with which he can appreciate some sights and much adventure. We have a lengthy list of natural wonders we want him to see before his vision worsens and the Grand Canyon is next on our list.

Over the school spring break, we would like to take he and our 14 year old daughter to the area for the sights, hiking and rafting. I have done some research, but am struggling to develop an itinerary that allows us to see a great deal, yet, also is at a reasonable pace that permits enjoyment. I have crafted two potential routes, but am very open to input. We are willing to fly out of a different airport on the departure even though it's more expensive.

Below are my thoughts. Thank you so much for any insight and advice!


Itinerary with round trip from PHX
Day one (Sunday) arrive in PHX in late eve....drive to sedona for night(late arrival)
Day two : second night in Sedona (hike)
Day three: Sedona ( hike)
Day four: Drive to Grand Canyon (stay one night)
Day five: Drive to Page (stay next two nights)
Day Six : Raft on Lake Powell (stay another night)
Day Seven: Drive to Flagstaff or somewhere closer to Airport
Day Eight: Leave early from PHX

Itinerary with arrival in PHX and Departure St. George UT

Day one: Arrive late, drive to Sedona for next two nights
Day two: see and Hike Sedona
Day Three: Drive to Grand Canyon and spend night
Day four Drive to Page for two nights
Day five: Raft Lake Powell and spend night
Day Six: Drive to Bryce Canyon and Spend night
Day Sevenrive closer to St. George
Day Eight: leave from ST. George UT early in morning.

emalloy

I like your first plan because there is a bit less seat time in the car and you get to enjoy a nice variety of locations.

Your kids both might enjoy one of the jeep tours in Sedona.

If you have an early flight from Phoenix at the end of the trip, I would plan to go to Phoenix the night before, as I recall the airport is on the other side of the city and you would have to get up very early to get there from Flagstaff and deal with morning traffic.

murphybrown

thank you. I did not realize the airport was at a more distant location. That is good to know. I think you are right about the Jeep Tours....I was considering one, but not sure.
Thanks for the input!

5alive

I cannot help with itinerary, but I have been to the Grand Canyon. We went about two hours down the trail and then came back up. It was somewhat steep, not a problem if you have good vision and good mobility. My BIL went on a group tour, and he is a stroke survivor. He said it was challenging for him. You may want to consider hiking poles?

Also, the ranger stations at National Parks can be helpful. Call ahead if possible.

spirobulldog

Just so you know. There are a couple of flights a day in and out of Page-connects in Denver(I think).

You might consider doing a 3 or 4 day rafting tour. That is really experiencing it. And you get a lot of other sensory other than vision on that.

I would for sure hike down into Bryce and/or a horse ride there.

With vision problems, do be extra careful at these places as dropoffs are deadly.

When/if his vision does go, consider Redwoods National Park. They have a really cool trail there for blind people. Its the only park that I have seen this type of things. My wife teaches school and the teacher that taught next door to her had this and she finally had to stop teaching this year. She managed to hang on with this for many years pretty decently, so hopefully that will be your sons case too.

Dayenu

I like more plan # 2 because it includes Bryce that I love.

On Lake Powell we took a boat ride into Antelope canyon, the feeling was like we left the planet Earth, very memorable! From Wahweep marina I think.

KTtravel

When in Page, do try to visit the Antelope Slot Canyon. It is just beautiful and my kids both really enjoyed it. If you are not familiar with it, do take a look at some of the wonderful pictures you can find online. It really was one of the highlights of our trip to that area.

BlackandGold

I don't know if this link will work but here's my trip report for Arizona from several years ago.

We enjoyed the train ride, pink jeep tour,float trip and hiking. The driving time was minimal and similar to your first itinerary. The hike in GC was scary to me so I don't know how someone who is visually impaired would manage it. Bright angel trail may be a little easier. You may want to ask a ranger what is recommended if you think you actually want to hike into the canyon at all.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...eally-long.cfm

tomfuller

How about a mule ride down into the Grand Canyon? http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/mule_trips.htm
Another option would be to ride the train to Flagstaff.

murphybrown

Thank you everyone for the great advice! It has truly helped and has confirmed my thoughts. I was a bit uncertain about the Lake Powell portion of the trip, yet, the feedback has made me feel confident and excited about going there.
We did look into the mule ride and noted many people remarked on how scary it is. We laughed at the thought that perhaps it would be a good thing that our ten year old would be less aware of the peril! I think, though, that we will stick to some of the tamer sections of the park. I hadn't read anything about a train ride so that's an awesome thought. I am eager to read the trip reports as well.
We have a choice between Yavapi Lodge and Bright Angel cabins. Any thoughts on those or recommendations for Page?
Thanks so much!

BlackandGold

We stayed in the Holiday Inn express in Page and it was very nice. Walking distance to a a couple of restaurants,including a good Mexican Restaurant.

emalloy

I've stayed at both Yavapai and Bright Angel cabins and would chose to stay at Bright Angel even though the rooms we had were a bit smaller than at Yavapai. They both are typical National Park accommodations, no frills, but clean and comfortable beds.

If you want more upscale, try for elTovar. If they say it is full, make a reservation at one of the others and call back as people cancel all the time.

StantonHyde

I wouldn't spend 2 days in Page. Remember, Lake Powell isn't a rafting trip--it's a boating trip. In terms of thrilling experiences, doing a half day or one day raft trip is amazing. If I were visually impaired, I would take the raft trip. You may want to contact the National Abilities Center in Park City, Utah which runs raft trips etc for people with a variety of different abilities. http://www.discovernac.org/

Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce are all places for the senses!! Just listening to the canyon sounds below and the forest rims sounds in an amzaing experience. There are many easy hikes to do along the rims if hiking steep descents is too challenging for your son. Horseback riding in Bryce or Zion would be good because it moves at a slow pace and you can hear and smell the world around you. I would NOT do a jeep trip if I couldn't see well. You can't hear anything because the engine is loud and you can't smell much either--everything goes by too fast. Hiking in Sedona would be great.

Elainee

The mule train was IMHO not scary, just really boring. You see a lot of the rear end of the mule in front of you. You go back and forth I one very small section of the canyon. Plus it is very long in duration and you cannot change your mind.