AZ/Grand Canyon Trip
 

I am trying to plan a trip the 1st week of September, 7 nights, possibly 8. We're thinking about flying into Phoenix, spending 3 nights in Sedona and then on to the Grand Canyon for 2 nights. After that I am not sure where to head. Things of interest include Page, Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. However, I don't want to spend all of our time driving. I'm trying to figure out how to loop back to Phoenix without back tracking. I don't want to try to do so much that we are exhausted, but I also don't want to miss anything truly special. We are 2 adults, mostly interested in outdoors activities (hiking, biking, boating) but also interested in history and Native American Culture.

Also is 4WD a good idea, or not really needed? Thanks for any ideas.

As a long-time Arizonan, I can give you a couple pieces of advice based on experience.

1. In September, you will be coming here at the closing weeks of our rainy (monsoon) season. Just use common sense if you decide to leave paved roads. Right now, with no rain since October, you would have no problems. But the monsoon begins in early July and extends three months or so. It comes and goes during those months. Days start clear, clouds build, and rain comes usually in the afternoon and/or evening. Temperatures drop 10 to 20 degrees when those refreshing rains come. Sunsets can be extra spectacular then.

2. Drive less, rest more, see more. If you live now near sea level, make a note that you will be coming from 600' altitude at Phoenix up to 4,500' at Sedona, and up more to 7,000' at Flagstaff. Slow down, let your body adust to the reduced oxygen levels. Drink lots of water. Your digestion may have problems, too, because your body will have an oxygen deficiency. Again, rest and drink lots of water if you have a dizzy spell or have trouble sleeping.

3. You will be coming here to have fun. You can always come back. Just slow down and relax.

You also could head over to Arizona's White Mountains. It is a lot cooler there than in lower elevations.

http://azwhitemountains.net/
http://www.whitemountainsguide.com/

Thank you both for your replys. Tell me is early Sept not a good time to visit becauuse of the monsoon season. (I didn't even know there was one.) We are just trying to squeeze an extra day in because of limited vacation time. Would it make sense to just stay in or around Sedona the whole time and try to do day trips from there?

We were there the end of Aug/first of Sept....there is a chance of rain, yes. Can it be heavy? yes. Just don't get caught out on a dirt road in it. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The info about the altitude is correct. Just take it easy and have a great time!

Hi BlackandGold

There are a lot of things you can do as day trips from Sedona. I can send you a lot of clickable links of things to do. Just send me an email.

The monsoon is unlikely to keep you from enjoying any of your trip. I brought it up because you seem to want to go off-roading. There is another feature of the monsoon that you should be warned about. Rainfall in one spot can cause flash flooding. Near Page there is a beautiful, interesting, and extremely dangerous place called Antelope Canyon. Several persons were killed there a few years ago when monsoon rains fell in one spot (they generally are quite localized), the water raced across the land, poured into Antelope Canyon (it's very narrow and is what we call a "slot" canyon), and tore through it like a freight train. The hikers in the canyon had no warning of its coming, were trapped, and were either beaten to death by the rushing water or drowned. Just be careful, watch the weather, and be aware that you are in some pretty wild country.

Excellent advice! Also, if you are driving,and you come to a dip in the road that has water running across it, be VERY careful about entering it. Those "dips" are (normally) dry washes that can fill in a hurry from rain someplace else. And "they" say it only takes 3 inches of water to sweep a vehicle off the road.

I would still plan on going up to the Grand Canyon and spending a couple of nights. Drive up from Williams on 64 or Flagstaff on 180 and exit the Grand Canyon and drive down from Cameron, AZ. That will cut out a little of the double back. When you leave Sedona, drive north on Hwy 89 and come back on I-17.

Utahtea