Grand Canyon Family vacation
Dec 27th, 1999 | 05:14 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
For info on mule rides into the Canyon, check
www.kaibab.org/misc/gc_mules.htm
I *THINK* you must be twelve in order to ride the mules; check with this BEFORE you put down your money.
www.kaibab.org/misc/gc_mules.htm
I *THINK* you must be twelve in order to ride the mules; check with this BEFORE you put down your money.
Dec 27th, 1999 | 06:41 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Angela, it REALLY depends on your kids and you know them better than anyone. My husband and I went for the first time in September and didn't take our 17 and 13 year olds because they did not want to go. It is beautiful scenery and many children simply do not appreciate it. I was surprised at the small number of children we saw there. In any case, don't plan on spending too much time there. We stayed two nights which, in my opinion, was about right.
Jan 27th, 2000 | 11:37 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
We went with our kids two years ago, when they were 9 1/2 and 12. They loved it. We limited our time at the canyon, however.
We flew to Phoenix and spent a few days there, including taking in a major league baseball game. Then we drove up to the Canyon and stayed at one of the National Park lodges on the South Rim. We did just a small amount of hiking, which was fine for us. The donkey ride looked too steep and freaky for us--in April it was still icy even on the Bright Angel trail, one of the easiest.
We loved the lodgings and the meals at the National Park places. The El Tovar Lodge is gorgeous--we were unable to get reservations to stay there, but we had a wonderful dinner.
We spent two nights at the canyon, then drove on up through northern Arizona into Utah, where we went to Bryce and Zion canyons. We all loved this trip and would do it again. In fact, my daughter (now 14) recently asked if we could do the same trip exactly the same way. Big praise from a teen.
Friends did the same trip before us, but in the reverse order. They started at Las Vegas and ended in Phoenix. We ended in Las Vegas (which I hated but my family thought interesting). Our friends also would do it exactly the same.
I'm interested to know what you decide.
We flew to Phoenix and spent a few days there, including taking in a major league baseball game. Then we drove up to the Canyon and stayed at one of the National Park lodges on the South Rim. We did just a small amount of hiking, which was fine for us. The donkey ride looked too steep and freaky for us--in April it was still icy even on the Bright Angel trail, one of the easiest.
We loved the lodgings and the meals at the National Park places. The El Tovar Lodge is gorgeous--we were unable to get reservations to stay there, but we had a wonderful dinner.
We spent two nights at the canyon, then drove on up through northern Arizona into Utah, where we went to Bryce and Zion canyons. We all loved this trip and would do it again. In fact, my daughter (now 14) recently asked if we could do the same trip exactly the same way. Big praise from a teen.
Friends did the same trip before us, but in the reverse order. They started at Las Vegas and ended in Phoenix. We ended in Las Vegas (which I hated but my family thought interesting). Our friends also would do it exactly the same.
I'm interested to know what you decide.
Feb 1st, 2000 | 03:01 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
We visited the Grand Canyon for a day and a half in April 1998, when our kids were 11 and 8. We did some very (*very*) light hiking along the South Rim and about a half mile down Bright Angel Trail. We all loved it, including the kids. The next day, when my daughter found out people hike down one day, stay overnight at the bottom, then hike back up the next day, she said "I want to do that." This from a kid who complains about walking a half mile to school on a nice spring day.
On July 1 1998 we made reservations to stay at Phantom Ranch as soon as school is out in June 2000. The kids were in no way hikers -- and they still don't like to walk to school. We took them on a few really tough training hikes in the Catskills last summer during a heat wave of 90-plus-degree days, and we plan to train some more when the weather breaks this spring.
I'm thinking about making reservations to do a rim-to-rim hike in May 2002 -- I'll need to make the reservations soon.
After the Grand Canyon, we'll also be going to southern Utah -- Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks. We'll be doing lots of hiking, but you could do the same trip and see the same sights in less time with less hiking.
Regarding the mule rides from the South Rim into the canyon (this is from a guidebook that I have) -- You need to make reservations far in advance (I think they start taking them 23 months in advance, like they do for Phantom Ranch). You must be at least 4 feet 7 inches tall, weigh less than 200 lbs (they'll weigh you if there's any doubt), speak fluent English, not be pregnant, and not be afraid of large animals or heights. There are one-day, overnight, and two-night trips. Prices range from about $100 to $350, but I think they give discounts if you have more than one person.
I believe there are also mule rides (shorter and less expensive) along the North Rim.
I think your kids are the perfect age to enjoy the Grand Canyon. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me.
On July 1 1998 we made reservations to stay at Phantom Ranch as soon as school is out in June 2000. The kids were in no way hikers -- and they still don't like to walk to school. We took them on a few really tough training hikes in the Catskills last summer during a heat wave of 90-plus-degree days, and we plan to train some more when the weather breaks this spring.
I'm thinking about making reservations to do a rim-to-rim hike in May 2002 -- I'll need to make the reservations soon.
After the Grand Canyon, we'll also be going to southern Utah -- Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks. We'll be doing lots of hiking, but you could do the same trip and see the same sights in less time with less hiking.
Regarding the mule rides from the South Rim into the canyon (this is from a guidebook that I have) -- You need to make reservations far in advance (I think they start taking them 23 months in advance, like they do for Phantom Ranch). You must be at least 4 feet 7 inches tall, weigh less than 200 lbs (they'll weigh you if there's any doubt), speak fluent English, not be pregnant, and not be afraid of large animals or heights. There are one-day, overnight, and two-night trips. Prices range from about $100 to $350, but I think they give discounts if you have more than one person.
I believe there are also mule rides (shorter and less expensive) along the North Rim.
I think your kids are the perfect age to enjoy the Grand Canyon. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me.
Feb 1st, 2000 | 11:22 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
It absolutely depends on the kids. Yours are probably at the ideal age. We took two of ours last summer (ages 7 & 10) and they enjoyed the views and the visitors' center. The didn't have the patience for the pace I wanted at some of the displays, but enjoyed hiking and the ranger programs. My neighbors took their two kids last spring (ages 8 & 14) who's reaction was "So what, it's a great big hole in the ground. You brought us all the way out here for this?" Either way, everyone should see it some time in their life. Take lots of pictures!
