Grand Canyon in March?
 

Hi Everybody
We are in the very early stages of planning a trip in March to the Grand Canyon. We know very little, haven't been before, have 14 & 18 year olds, & are thinking that we'd like to do some hiking, but don't have time to train for hiking all the way down between now & early March.

So, my questions:
1. Recommendations for some hiking/walking trails?
2. Recommendations re where to stay, what to do, & how long to stay?
3. Mule trip worthwhile or stay exploring on top?

Our kids are on spring break, so we could have anywhere up to 5 days.

Thanks very much.

Dress warmly, I have friends that went the first week of April and it snowed.

March
South Rim
avg hi 51 avg low 25

March
North Rim
avg hi 44 avg low 21

You can fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix so you might want to add a day or two at one of those cities as well.

good advice with weather & airports. I'll check both Phoenix & Las Vegas. Sounds like we'll bring plenty of warm clothes & layers.

we like activity & nature. i'll do some reading, too, & start getting an idea of what might be possible.

any other ideas are much appreciated.

thanks

North Rim is closed until mid-May

Hello--will this be late March? we have visited the Grand Canyon twice in early April, perhpas 10 days or 2 weeks later than your visit. The weather was perfect for hiking----mostly in the 60's during the day, although on our last day the temperature dropped and it snowed. (that was actually abonus, because the canyon was so beautiful in the snow).

Evening and mornings were very cold---we bundled up in warm jacket, hat and gloves each morning to go out and enjoy the sunrise.

You'll need to get your lodging reservations right away-----they do book up early. The best choice, by far, is to stay inside the national park at the South Rim. There are six different lodges, four of which are just steps away from the rim, some with canyon view rooms. The four right on th erim are El Tovar (the old, historic hotel), Thunderbird and Kachina (more modern and concrete-looking) and Bright Angel (another historic lodge, with cabins). Two lodges back from the rim (1/4 to 1/4 mile) are Maswik and Yavapai.

all of these can be booked through Xanterra at www.grandcanyonlodges.com

If nothing shows up on the website, give them a call. When people book rooms ahead and cancel, those rooms often don't get put back on the website.

The problem you will have is finding a room to accomodate all 4 of you, as none of the rooms have 3 beds. You can put a rollaway bed into some of the rooms with two queen beds at Maswik and Yavapai, and the deluxe rooms at El Tovar, but not into any of the rooms at Kachina or Thunderbird. The Bright Angel cabins, with a rollaway added, can accomodate three, maximum, but you could book a separate single room for the 18-year old.

The Thunderbird and Kachina rooms do allow four psople in the room, so if the kids are willing to share a bed (or if one of them can sleep on the floor), that would work too.

Hiking: there is a trail right along the rim for some distance both east and west of the hotel area. The area to the west (Hermit Road) is also served by a free shuttle, so you can walk partway and then hop on the shuttle.

Walking the rim in both directions is a good way to spend your first day at the canyon, getting a sense of the place and getting used to the altitude.

To hike partway down into the canyon, you coul dtake either of the two main trail. The Bright Angel trail leaves from the lodge area, and has lots of mule traffic. You can walk down as far as you like and then turn around. If you are not experienced hikers, a mile or two would be plenty; don't try to reach Indian Garden (the broad flat area you can see from the rim)

South Kaibab trail is reached by a shuttle bus, and is less traveled by mules, although you may stil encounter a mule train or three. This trail is a bit steeper but offers great views. Most dayhikers go as far as Cedar Ridge, 1.5 miles down the trail, before turning around.

Mule rides: they only offer two kinds at the South Rim---the 6-hour ride down to Plateau Point and back, and the overnight trip to Phantom Ranch. Here is the webpage with information and prices:

http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/mule-trips-716.html

IF you are able to get reservations for the overnight trip to Phantom Ranch, it is a fantastic way to experience the canyon. It is quite expensive , unfortunately---it would be more than $1000 for the 4 of you. That does include your lodging and all your meals, however.

As for airpoprt choices---we prefer the drive from Phoenix (possibly stopping at Sedona for hiking there too). However, the car rentals are usually much less from Las Vegas (like half), and a stop at Hoover dam is interesting too. I suggest you check airfare and car rental prices before you decide.

Thanks so much for your help. How many days do you recommend? Is there plenty to do for 4 days without doing the mule ride? Even though it would cost a lot for 4 of us, we're going to consider it since it sounds quite amazing. Do you suppose that our Grand Canyon experience would be as fabulous regardless of whether we went down to Phantom Ranch? We're tempted since it seems that it would be incredible to be down there.

If we didn't do the mule ride, do you have other recommendations or would 3+ days be enough?

Are the hikes on Bright Angel trail & South Kaibab trail both 1/2 day-type hikes?

We'll see if we can book Thunderbird & Kachina, www.grandcanyonlodges.com Our teenagers are girls & willing to share a bed, so those places would work if they have availability.

So, a possible itinerary would be:

Day 1: Hiking along trail right along the rim for both east and west of the hotel area. If needed when we walk on Hermit Rd to west, we can hop on free shuttle to return.

Day 2 & Day 3 Hike into the canyon on either:
1) Bright Angel trail (leaves from the lodge area & walk 1-2 miles & then turn around, not trying to reach Indian garden-the broad flat area we see from the rim), OR
2) South Kaibab trail (reached by a shuttle bus, less traveled by mules, trail is a bit steeper but offers great views) & go 1.5 miles down trail to Cedar Ridge, then turn around

OR
Day 2 & Day 3: Do Overnight Mule Trip to Phantom Ranch, http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/mule-trips-716.html

Day 4: Do a hike if did the overnight mule trip. If didn't do the mule trip, other recommendations? Or, other places in the area to visit?

Will figure out flights once we get hotel reservation & check rental car rates. I wouldn't have thought to check on rental car rates--great suggestion.

Thank you so much for your incredible help. Appreciate all of your ideas, & any other thoughts any of you might have. Thanks!

Yes---if your girls will share a queen-sized bed, then Thunderbird or kachina offer the best combination of good location and value. El Tovar is a little nicer but the rooms are considerably more expensive.

Four days is a lot of time to spend there unless you are spending a night at the bottom of the canyon.

If you are interested in the mule trip and able to get the reservations to do that and spend the night at Phantom Ranch, then that is one of the best possible ways to see the canyon. You go down and up on different trails (using the Bright Angel to descend and the South Kaibab to come up, I believe) so you see a lot of different places. And Pphantom Ranch is a very special place. (We like the food there too).

It may be very difficult to get reservations for the four of you at this point. While the mule trips aren't as heavily booked as the hikers' spots, they still are likely to be fully booked for March. But it's worth a call to Xanterra. They have a separate place on the phone menu for Phantom, and the people there are very helpful.

If you aren't able to get reservations for the mule trip down, what you might consider is a loop around the canyon, like this:

Fly into Las Vegas, pick up the car and drive to Grand Canyon, south rim (5 hours driving). spend 3 nights there. Depart Grand Canyon early in the morning head for Page for the "smoothwater" raft trip on the Colorado River:

http://www.coriverdiscovery.com/

Then depart Page at 10:30 am, and you return there around 4:30. Spend the night there.

From Page, head back west through Kanab and Mt. Carmel Junction and continue through Zion National park. You could spend one or better yet 2 nights there, either in the park lodge or in Springdale. Zion is at a much lower elevation than the Grand Canyon rim so it will be warmer. There is great hiking there too.

Nora_S, you beat me to it!!

I have to agree that 4 days is a lot at the South Rim unless they are hiking down or staying a night at Phantom Ranch with the mule trip.

The loop suggestion is a good one if they have the time.

We went to Zion for the first time last September and loved the place. The hiking is mostly easier than the Grand Canyon, and it would be warmer there, even in March.

Nora & Enzian---Perfect suggestions.

I'll still call about the mule trip tomorrow & see if it's an option. My guess is that it's full, which saves us trying to figure out if it's worth the time & money.

If we do mule trip, 4 days will work; otherwise, without the mule trip, do you think 2 days at South Rim & 1 Day on the raft trip works well?

Loop trip is great idea.

Flat water raft trip on the Colorado much cheaper than mule trip, & we'd get to enjoy the gorgeous canyon via the raft trip. I'm presuming that the views & scenary are fabulous on the raft trip. Looked at the link & it looks great

Love the idea of Zion, too, & will mapquest distances.

love the idea of us seeing more of a variety of places since we haven't been before.

great suggestions. I'll start playing with a possible itinerary. Thanks.

From Zion, it is only 2.5 hours back to Las Vegas, so with an afternoon flight you can spend your final night at Zion instead of Vegas if you like.

I usually recommend staying inside the national parks, but Zion is one exception. There is a lodge (Zion Lodge) inside the park, and it is nice, offering cabins and suites that would be perfect for the four of you. but this place in Springdale, at the park entrance, has wonderful ambiance:

http://www.desertpearl.com/

There are also some less expensive places in Springdale.

And in town you will have a variety of places to choose for dinner.

At Zion, unlike Grand Canyon, you are in the bottom of the canyon, often along the river. Picture a valley like Yosemite, but smaller, and with red rock walls---that is Zion.

The Narrows walk at the end of the canyon is a favorite:

http://www.zionadventures.com/hiking...5Fnarrows.html

In March, the water will be very cold, so you won't want to go too far. You can rent shoes and walking sticks (highly recommended) from Zion Adventure Company. They also rent drysuits for the cold water if you like, but I would just pick a warm afternoon and go for an hour or so. You are in and out of the water, often walking on the sandbars, not constantly in the river.

Wow, Totally wonderful suggestions about Zion, the river & "outfitting" for the river & the lovely place to stay. Thanks so much. I'm going to mapquest it all & figure out a possible itinerary & be back in touch. Thanks!

Joysakura,

Don't be discouraged if you don't get a reservation right away. I've stayed on the South rim several times and have never made reservations more than 10 days in advance in April and February. Twice we just drove in and inquired and found rooms in el Tovar once and Yavapai once. If you fly in and out of Las Vegas you might find a package deal for the first and/or last night at one of the hotel/casinos. You also could stop at Hoover Dam on the way to the Canyon. It takes 6 to 8 hours from Vegas to the Canyon so a visit to the Dam is a nice break. If you do a couple of nights in Vegas, check out red rock park, valley of fire state park or head over to Death Valley, it is about 2 and a half hours away and I find it awesome. March weather can be iffy in the canyon. We once had snow in April but were just wearing light jackets in April. I check www.weather.com 10 day forecast and then plan my time for the Canyon and call for reservations, being flexible enough to do the trip there when the weather and reservations are good.

We went to the Grand Canyon last April and were too late in planning to get a room in the park. We ended up staying at the Best Western right outside the park. Our room was huge and the kids loved the bowling alley and arcade in the hotel which provided a nice break from hiking.

what do you all think re whether to stay in the village or in an area 15 or so minutes away that could be $100. cheaper per night.

inside the park, for us, a family of 4, at thunderbird or kachina, cost 180 for 2 adults, plus 18 for kids plus tax per night. $210-220 range per night.

the cost could be half that in nearby tusayan in a 2 or 2 1/2 star place that i'm guessing is 15-20 minutes away.

we would eat in the park & spend all our time there; just wondering if it's worth it to stay in thunderbird or kachina.

have to be there for the sunrises & sunsets, of course!

thanks

Joysaka,

There is something special about getting up and walking out to see the Canyon first thing in the morning. If you need to worry about the budget, consider doing a day or two in the park and the rest outside. If you know where you are flying in to there are options of other places to see on the way to or from the park to think about, especially if wether is a factor.

enjoy

sort of my feeling, too. liked the idea of grabbing coffee & going out to the rim, views, & sunrise. Good suggestions re a few nights at the South Rim & a few nights other places.

have been looking at the map & reading travel books. thought we could swing up to zion as some of you suggested earlier, & also perhaps go to bryce.

what do you all think? 2 nights & 2 days at Grand Canyon, 2-3 nights at Zion & 2 nights (or just 1 night?) at Bryce.

if there's snow, we thought it would be fun to go snowshoeing, cross country skiing & maybe even downhill. looks like bryce has the first two & brian head is less than 2 hours from bryce.

of course, now we're doing a huge loop from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon (3 nights, 2 days) to Zion (3 nights, 3 days) to Bryce (2 nights, 2 days) to BrianHead (2 nights, 2 days). Just ran out of time---

let's see Thurs night, Fri night & Sat night--GC
Sun, Mon, Tues--Zion
Wed--Thur--Bryce
Fri--Sat skiing
Sun fly back

decided mule trip was too expensive & didn't even check into it. couldn't justify over $1,000.

i'm in the process of booking our flights. we could have anywhere from 8 to 10 days, depending on the flights. looks like we could really use 10 days.

right now looking at flying from the east coast on Thursday, March 5 in the evening & returning from Las Vegas on Sunday, March 15th.

does it sound like we're trying to do too much on our national park loop with GC, Zion, & Bryce, & then throwing in a bit of skiing?

Enzian's idea of Desert Pearl sounds lovely by Zion.

Ideas for Bryce?

do we need to rent a car with 4 wheel drive in case of snow & difficult driving in the mts?

should we pay a national park pass since we're going to so many? If so, i'm thinking we probably buy it at our first national park stop.

we'll take lots of winter clothes, hiking boots, & dress in layers.

thanks for all of your help.

Joysaka,

Get a park pass at your first park. It lets everyone in your car into all parks for free for a year. I'm sure once you start visiting NPs you will be hooked.

Every time I've been to Bryce there has been snow and the trails down below the rim have been closed. I don't know about snowshoeing at that time of year or if they have trails for that. The loop drive gives you a great view of the hoodoos and natural bridges etc. We also have stayed there in the motel in the park and had no trouble with reservations. I'm pretty sure Xanterra handles reservations for Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon you can link to them at www.nps.gov but if you call directly you will get better luck with the cancellation situation. I would always opt to stay in the park if I could because I'm a morning person and love to see the park before everyone else is up, we had mule deer right outside our room at Zion and along the rim trail at Grand Canyon. They all have places for breakfast that open reasonably early. The rooms are basic but clean (except for el Tovar) and have everything you need and cost about the same as motels outside the park. If your kids need pools, spa, game rooms,etc. then opt for out of the park. There also is a ton of information about the parks at the nps site which will let you know about trails, ranger programs, weather, directions,etc. Hope you have a great trip.

thanks very much. sounds like staying in the parks is what we all would prefer---we'll be up early anyhow since we're on east coast time, & it would be quite lovely to see wildlife first thing in the morning. basic is fine.

do you all think we need a 4 wheel drive? i was particularly thinking about the roads within Bryce & Zion, and up in the mountains by Brian Head.

will the weather likely be warmer at zion (than bryce) & will zion likely have less snow, more trails open, etc?

is 1 day & 2 nights enough at Bryce? we'd start at the visitor center, probably spend 1-2 hrs enjoying the 18 mile park road, spend a little time at Inspiration Point, & if open hike on either the Queen's Garden Trail or Navaho Trail (3 hrs). if the trails are closed, we can rent showshoe or skis, & do trails around the rim area.

3 nights, 2+ days at Zion about right? Or, 3 full days?
zion---drive the zion canyon scenic drive, stopping & seeing rock formations--see temple of sinawava & walk on 2 mile roundtrip Riverwalk, etc

thanks so much for all of your help

If you can do the activities in Bryce your time there will be fine, if not 1 night and a day and a half will be plenty. Zion will be much warmer, you will be down in the canyon mostly, in March light jacket would be all that you will need. I don't know about conditions at Brian's, haven't been there. A regular car can handle both Bryce and Zion, but we've always had a 6 cylinder to handle the uphills between places. If you are going in and out of Vegas, on the way from Zion down is less than 3 hrs., check out Valley of Fire State park, it's off I 15 about 2/3 of the way down and has interesting rock, some old CCC cabins, hiking trails, one that goes to "Mouse's tank" has loads of petroglyphs all along the path. If you go through you can drive along Lake Meade and hit Hoover Dam if you haven't done that on the way to the Canyon.