Grand Canyon hiking/sightseeing
 

Only time to travel to Grand Canyon is during Summer break and so we have our reservations at El Tovar and looking forward to being there in about 10 days! We are excited, but don't know what to do first? We are not the fittest 60+ couple, and so wonder what activities, - - hiking, bus, etc., we can do? We will have a rental car for our use, but for the short time there, where would we drive? Are there parking spots at the various look-outs? We have a reservation for Saturday night (my birthday) for 6:15 PM at El Tovar, and want to see the sunset.

Please anyone have suggestions for our activities while there for two days? Thanks.

Try to see a sunrise as well . . it is easy to do right out the front door of the El Tovar. There are parking places at most of the turnouts, but we found the bus to be the easiest way to see them all. We were there in late spring and the crowds were not heavy then . . parking could be problematic during the heavy tourist season.

We entered at the east side and stopped at the first turnout for a while, then drove along the rim to the hotel . . nice drive!

The walking paths along the rim at the hotel are easy to walk and there are places to stop and rest if needed. We are 60+'s as well and had no problems getting around.

Parts of the south rim area are closed to personal cars so you have to take one of the shuttle buses. They make multiple stops
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm

You should be able to do some hiking along the rim trail but probably don't want to hike down very far if you are not in great shape. My husband and kids hiked down to Phantom Ranch and stayed overnight but I opted out. It will be very hot so be careful to carry water. There are awful stories about good athletes who have tried to hike unprepared.

Sunrises are also very beautiful so try to get up one morning. The area around El tovar is not at all crowded in the early morning

The drive out along the southern rim toward the Desert View Watchtower and the eastern entrance is also less crowded than the area right around Grand Canyon village, and you can drive this in your own car. It is a much more dramatic way to enter the Canyon area than the drive from Williams if this works with your itinerary.

There are many good ranger programs. The historic buildings including El Tovar itself are very interesting (Kolb Studio, Bright Angel lodge, Lookout Studio, Hopi House)

Have a wonderful trip and a happy birthday!

I would agree that, if possible, you should enter through the east entrance. The view from Desert View is my favorite first look at the GC. If you do enter there, stop at all or most of the viewpoints on the way to GC Village. If you do that, you will not need your car again until it is time to leave.

For non-strenuous hikes, walk along the rim trail. From the lodges heading west, it is slightly uphill. Check this map for distances between viewpoints:

http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/upl...ransit-map.pdf

You could take the shuttle part way to Hermit's Rest, then hike to the next viewpoint and pick the shuttle up again. You also could take the shuttle out to Hermit's Rest and hike part way back, but the shuttle only makes 3 stops on the way back, so you would have to hike farther.

Almost forgot . . if you do not already have one, be sure to purchase a America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Senior Pass when you first enter.

It is a lifetime pass that costs 10 bucks and gets you in any National Park

http://usparks.about.com/od/usnation...ark_passes.htm

You have to purchase at a National Park . they are not available online or anywhere else

Take a helicopter tour for a different perspective. Have a meal at the El Tovar. You will probably find the mornings more enjoyable as it will be cooler. I think if you are not going to do much hiking, one night is fine there. Have a Happy Birthday!! If I could I would spend every birthday in a National Park.

BTW, if this is your first visit- the first glimpse of it is very powerful and will almost bring you to your knees.

I certainly agree with that statement. Here is what you will see at Desert View:

http://mikepintucson.shutterfly.com/418

Me too, spiro. My favorite was Old Faithful with snow :-)