Grand Canyon South and Monument Valley
 

Hi, am travellng to Arizona in December (from Australia) - me, husband, 16 yo daughter and 13yo son. Would like to see Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. I believe only the south rim of GC is open in winter....is it possible to hike then? Or is it too icy to be safe?? Is it very far from GC south to Monument Valley? What is a good town to stay at near Monument Valley? Also, if I continue on from Monument Valley up to San Francisco, are there any must see things along the way, and approximately how long does this take??

Hi Julie: You can definitely hike during the winter at Grand Canyon. Never done it myself but know many friends who have. In December it will be less crowded, temperature more moderate-meaning cold on the rim but warms up as you hike down into the canyon. The website: http://www.nps.gov/grca/ should give you lots of info. GC to Monument valley is about 160 miles (250-260 km). Most folks stay at Gouldings ( www.gouldings.com) which is a nothing fancy type accomodations right in the middle of MV. Getting to San Fran from there is another issue as there is really no direct way to drive there. Plus one person's "must see" is different from someone else's. If you were to take a route that goes across to California and then up the state to San Fran, then Yosemite National Park(which I would consider equal to GC for sheer grandeur of scenery) could be a stop on the way. Keep in mind that the east side Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite is closed in the winter. Must enter from one of the south or western entrances.

However, in all honesty, I would consider staying a few more days around Utah and try to see Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP,or Arches NP/CanyonLands NP in Moab all of which I consider more worthwhile than Monument Valley. Would be a shame to miss the chance to take in at least one of these when you are so close. If you like hiking, Zion NP has two hikes (Angels Landing, the Narrows) that might easily be the highlight of your trip. All of these places are 1/2 day drives from Monument Valley. Don't want to mess your plans too much, but just my opinion. Good luck, you'll have a great time.

I agree with DW, if you can spend a little time at Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion. You will have to watch the weather since snow and rain can make it difficult to travel in the area. Weather is nor very predictable. We have been to the GC in February when there has been no snow and you could hike along the rim trail and down Bright Angel trail with no ice or snow visible. Then once late April it snowed on our way in. That time the snow dried up quite quickly and the rim trail was fine but Bright Angel was muddy and slipery. So watch the news, it is beautiful under what ever conditions you have. Monument Valley is worth a drive through but I wouldn't consider it a place to spend days like the National Parks. If you can, stay in the National Parks, check the site DW gave and take the Xanterra number. If they say they are full when you want to go, call them as there are cancellations all the time.

Oh, I forgot to mention, if you are going to California, Death Valley NP is awesome in the winter, do spend some time there.

<b>is it possible to hike then? Or is it too icy to be safe?</b>

Usually after a couple of snowstorms there will be packed snow or ice on the first few shaded switchbacks of the two main trails (Kaibab and Bright Angel). Usually once you get past the first 500 ft or so of elevation and onto the parts of the trail that are exposed to sun mid-day the ice is gone and hiking is pleasant. Sometimes heavy storms hit that lay snow much deeper into the canyon but this is rare in December.

You can rent instep crampons for about $4/day at the General Store if there is ice on the upper parts. These strap on to your boots and work fine near the top, then you just take them off once you're out of the ice.

<b>Is it very far from GC south to Monument Valley?</b>

About 180 miles, about 3+ hrs driving time.

<b>What is a good town to stay at near Monument Valley?</b>

Best place to stay is just outside Monument Valley at Gouldings Lodge, which is very popular but should have rooms in December. Or perhaps the new Navajo hotel inside MV (haven't stayed there yet). 2nd best is the town of Kayenta, at the Hampton Inn (or Best Western or Holiday Inn) about 25 miles south of Monument Valley. 3rd best is Mexican Hat, a small town about 22 miles north of Monument Valley in Utah.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon will be closed in December.

Monument Valley to San Francisco...how many days do you have?

The most scenic route will be to take Hwy 163 south to Kayenta, then Hwy 98 in to Page, AZ. There you might consider doing the Upper Antelope Slot Canyon tour about 1 1/2 hours. Just outside of Page is Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon National Recreational area. From Page take Hwy 89 (if you have a couple more days go up to Bryce National Park first, if not) to Mt. Carmel Juntion then take Hwy 9 in to Zion National Park. Continue on Hwy 9 to Interstate 15 and head south to Las Vegas. If time permits, then take a side trip to Death Valley. Keep in mind this is the busy time for Death Valley. Interstate 15, Hwy 58 and I-5 are going to be your best bets for getting to SF in the winter. If you have time for a side trip to Yosemite, then take Hwy 99 north instead of 58 and I-5.

Monument Valley, via Page, AZ, Zion and Las Vegas without side trips is 980 miles.

Utahtea