grand canyon, utah
 

Hi all,
We are planning trip end May to New york and then have about 10 days to do something else. Coming from Australia. In our 50's and love to do some moderate intensity treking but not camping and staying in very nice accomadation,. We love the nature so any suggestions would be appreciated. We were thinking of grand canyon ?north rim and then ? bryce canyon or others. Not keen on driving more than say 3 hrs at a stretch to get to places so not sure if that is possible. Happy to trek 8-12 km per day on mod terrain.
Thanks
Mooky

I live about 6 hours from the Grand Canyon, and it is one of my favorite places on earth. I am 58 and have hiked down to the bottom 3 times in
the last 7 years-but you do need to train for it. We go down the south rim. We camp there, usually 2 nights, then hike out. Mules can carry some of your gear, for $50. There is also some lodging but it is usually
booked about 2 years ahead, but there are cancellations, and you can keep calling . I have seen persistent people rewarded with rooms, though ususally it is when weather somewhere else has preculded someone from getting there in time, which may not be too likely in May.
Also - you could just hike for a half day trip. There is nothing like going down the canyon. The El Tovar Lodge is the nicest place to stay, but make reservations early and ask for a room that overlooks the canyon. It a historic lodge, rustic but elegant at the same time.
Another fabulous place is Moab, Utah. The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are also hugh favorites of mine.
Hope this stimulates your thinking...Enjoy!!
Karn

Thanks Karn for prompt response. Certainly gives some ideas and We may ask some more questions.
Mooky

Two things to know:

1) The North Rim is closed till at least May 15th, and possibly longer -- depends on the snowfall.
www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hours.htm

2) El Tovar is on the South Rim. If you're not willing to drive more than three hours at a stretch or to camp, then you will have to stay at the North Rim Lodge sometime after May 15th.

I urge you to skip anything else rather than miss the Grand Canyon; and I've seen everything in that area at least twice. I'd even recommend driving the six hours or so from the South Rim to the area of Bryce Canyon.

I also noted you said "mod terrain." Please be aware that the Canyon is as far from "moderate" as any terrain on this planet. If you start to hike below the rim, be certain to turn around when you START to feel tired or sore.

The end of May- beggining of June is perfect timing to visit Yellowstone Mational Park, one of the most amazing places I've ever been to. You can see incredible sights from there. Another option is to fly from NY to Denver, CO and visit Mesa Verde NP and the Grand Canyon NP. You can fly back from Las Vegas or just simply loop around back to Denver.

As far as driving, you are from Australia so I am sure you are familiar with vast lands and the (sometimes unavoidable) need to drive 4 hrs+ to get anywhere. Have fun planning, maybe we'l see you at Grand Cayon, we'll be there mid-June! :-D

By the way, I can't believe I forgot to mention on my previous post THE ADIRONDACKS PARK in New York. It is one of the most beautiful parks in the United States with gorgeous hiking trails and spectacular mountain sights. It is about 2 hour ride from Albany, NY. You can train to the Rensselaer Train Station from Penn Station in NYC, rent a car and drive up. There are nearby beautiful towns like Lake George, where you can visit Fort William Henry, used during the French and Indian War and the fort in James Fenimore Cooper's novel "The Last of the Mohicans". There is also Lake Placid, the first city ever to host two Winter Olympics (1932, 1980). This city retains the Olympic spirit with all the facilities where many members (and hopefuls!) of the American Winter Olympic Team often train.

The Adirondack Park has plenty lodging areas and it has incredible geology; it would take these five national parks added together to equal the size of the Adirondack Park: Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Everglades, and Great Smoky National Parks.

I hope you give this park a go and have a great time planning!!:-D

You could have a very nice trip, with moderate hiking and not TOO much driving, by seeing the Grand Canyon (North Rim if it's open), Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. There are other nearby sights-Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument-and you might be able to fit in some time at one or more of these as well. May is a great time to visit-the weather is good (a little cool at Bryce) and the kids are still in school, so things aren't as crowded as summer.

There is an excellent book called Hiking the Southwest's Canyon Country (you can get it through Amazon) that has loads of great hikes (short to long), scenic drives, prehistoric sights, etc. It's a great resource for this kind of trip.

Oh, and if you want to stay in the park lodges, make reservations asap. There are nice places to stay outside of Zion, like Desert Pearl Inn in Springdale, but in the Grand Canyon, it's nicest to stay in the park.

Since you are in New York - I highly recommend Niagara Falls. You don't have to spend alot of time there. But it is beautiful to see.

Some great advice and information. And two of my favorite places - the Southwest and the Adirondacks. The only bummer about the Adirondacks in May/June is black flies. They really suck - especially when hiking.
christy1 suggests a great 10 day trip. Not too much driving if you fly into Las Vegas - easy to get a direct flight from NY.
The drive from LV to the North or South Rim is just under 5 hrs. The drive to Zion from LV is 2.5 - 3 hrs. From Zion to Bryce, 1.5 - 2hrs. As suggested, the Desert Pearl in Springdale (Zion) is very nice. Stay in the park in Bryce and Grand Canyon.