Grand Canyon in March?

Old Feb 5th, 2009, 08:15 AM
  #21  
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Thanks. Now that we've added a couple of days of skiing, I'm wondering about where to begin the trip & whether there's any wisdom in starting at one place or another.

What do you think of this possible itinerary:

Thurs-fly into Las Vegas & drive to Brian Head (3 hrs)
Fri & Sat-ski at Brian Head

Sat late afternoon--drive & eat dinner near Bryce (2 hrs)
Sat night & Sunday night--Bryce
Sunday--explore Bryce

Monday morning--drive to Zion (2 hrs)
Monday & Tues night & Wed nights--stay at Zion
Monday & Tues & Wed day--explore Zion

Thurs a.m.--drive to Grand Canyon (5 hrs?)
Thurs afternoon & Friday all day--explore GC
thurs & Friday nights--stay at GC lodge
Sat--drive back to Las Vegas

With the above possible itinerary, would it be best to go to Valley of Fire State park when we first arrive OR on our way back to Las Vegas

Mapquest recommends going back to Las Vegas from the Grand Canyon via the southern route---is that what you all would recommend?

If we went back to LV the southern route, then Valley of Fire could be put into our first day instead of our last day.

I haven't booked our flights yet so we can fly back on Sat or Sunday. once again, thanks very much!
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 08:18 AM
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p.s. Forgot to ask about the raft trip from Page & your recommendations about including spending a day doing this. i was figuring that we'd be seeing a lot of beautiful canyons at zion, bryce & grand canyon, & it would be lovely, but also somewhat similar to what we had seen. do you all think that makes sense. thanks!
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 08:59 AM
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The trip we took on the Colorado River from Page was from the Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. It was just a morning ride and involved no rapids at all. Our guide was great and the views were wonderful. We stopped at a beach where there were petroglyphs on a ledge and also a bathroom. Antelope canyon is also right near Page. It is a slot canyon that is on Navajo land. You go to their parking lot and I think it was about $20 per person for a ride on their truck up a wash and then about an hour in the canyon. If you google it I'm sure you can find pictures that are awesome and that will give you an idea if you want to take an hour and a half to see a spectacular small canyon.
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 09:39 AM
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thanks for the reminder about antelope valley---great idea. so, we'll stop in page & enjoy antelope valley, & support the navaho reservation while we're at it.

so, we'll return to LV via the northern route.

depending on the weather, we'll decide about rafting when we're there.

thanks again
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 10:39 AM
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I forgot to include the information on the rafting. Go to www.raftthecanyon.com I think not sure if its one t or two.
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 12:22 PM
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We were there in March several yaers ago. They were having a snow storm the day we arrived. I'd say about 5" total. The next day was sunny and chilly. You could only hike if you had special spiked hiking boots for the ice along the trail.

We (also family of 4) stayed in the Kachina. It was the only available room on the rim. Bright Angel and El Tovar are just a few steps away. There's also a shuttle that runs along the rim and stops at each scenic point.
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 12:39 PM
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if the upper trails are icy, we don't have the appropriate spiked boots (or skills) for the Grand Canyon trails with ice.

is there plenty of wondering around on the rim for 1 1/2 or so days?

plenty of places to wonder around on the rim?

thanks for the rafting link, too!
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 12:49 PM
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The General Store in Market Plaza should still rent crampons (a/k/a special spiked hiking boots) - actually, they strap onto the bottom of your boots. Hiking poles would be helpful too. I believe the crampons are pretty cheap, like $5 a day or so.

Call 'em to check: 928-638-2262
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 01:35 PM
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perfect solution. is that general store in grand canyon village?
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 01:59 PM
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It's over by Yavapai, not right in the midst of the main village.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisi...illage_map.pdf
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Old Feb 5th, 2009, 03:04 PM
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thanks

very helpful & a great solution
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Old Feb 6th, 2009, 02:56 PM
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love the idea of antelope valley & looked into it today.
looks like we can do EITHER upper or lower valley in various tours posted on the navaho park site.

recommendations re upper vs. lower?

pics are gorgeous--looks definitely worthwhile

thanks
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Old Feb 6th, 2009, 03:15 PM
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Do the upper. Just drive out there and deal with the Navajos . There are outfitters in Page but they only can take you to the parking lot and the Navajos will drive you the rest of the way in. Bring a camera and although they say that it is best at noon, we were there in the afternoon and it was great, got fantastic pics, and it was much less crowded than earlier according to our guide. We just had one other couple in our group.
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Old Feb 6th, 2009, 05:26 PM
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sounds good. maybe allow about 2 hrs?

i was WAY amazed by the beauty--it'll be great to see.

thanks for the idea.

trying to decide now about the river rafting---it'd be $250 or so i think for 4 people. happy to include it if you think it'd be more gorgeous views or nice scenery that would be really nice to "raft" by

thanks again
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Old Feb 7th, 2009, 04:21 AM
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The group we went on the raft ride trip was good and it was fun to go down through the tunnel that was used when they built Glen Canyon Dam. We did the half day trip in the morning and then went to Antelope Canyon after lunch on our way out of the area. If your kids are looking for white water they'll be disappointed but you get a bit of a feel for going in the calm parts of the canyon and it was beautiful, only you can make the decision as to if it will be worth the expense and time. Check the web page to give you a better idea on that.
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Old Feb 7th, 2009, 07:21 PM
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I believe our interest (at least my interest) would be more on the scenery & gorgeous beauty surrounding us & on a bit of history from the guide.

the page az calm water rapids website that was referred to has a trip from 11 to 4 or something like that (maybe arrive 10:30 a.m & leave at 11 a.m.). i'll check again & see if I can find a morning one since it would be perfect to do 1/2 day rafting, 1/2 day antelope valley

thanks
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Old Dec 10th, 2013, 10:01 AM
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We are planning a trip hike the Canyon in March, 2014. I've tried to do all of the necessary research and preparation. I am wondering how your trip went. How was the weather? What activities did you decide to do? Where did you end-up staying? Thanks
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