Sedona, GC, Monument V. help
 

We have 6 days for a trip to Arizona. We want to see Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, as the highlights. Need any suggestions on trip planning. Want to do Pink Jeep tour in Sedona, and not sure what else. Any suggestions please!
Thanks
Elaine

To be of help to you, it would be crucial to know (1) where will you be coming into in AZ -- Phoenix? from Las Vegas?; (2) what are your interests?; (3) when would you be in AZ?; (4) how many in your party?; (5) age ranges? (6) any physical problems that would limit your activities? AZ is a huge place, the size of New England. There simply are so many things to see and do. Have you checked the Sedona Chamber of Commerce web site? Sorry to have so many questions -- their answers can help lead to good suggestions.

We are a family of 4 with 2 girls -teens - ages 18 & 16. We will be driving from SoCal, that would put us going through Phoenix. No physical problems, just don't like lots of hiking in the July heat. Never been to GC so thinking of airplane ride over that, Pink Jeep tour in Sedona. Jerome sounded like a great little place to explore, and National Monument sounded interesting. Do we do a guide ride through there? Is this worth the extra driving? I had been told by someone it isn't! We have 6 days to explore.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Elaine

Coming from Southern California, there is little reason to see Phoenix, a great, sprawling, car-choked place shimmering in the heat and photochemical smog. This statement will bring great wails of anguish from Phoenix folks, but they cannot deny its truth.

Instead, take a northeasterly direction and head for central and northern AZ. Start in Sedona -- about a 9-hour drive from San Diego -- stay at the Sky Ranch Lodge and unwind. The place is beautiful, quiet, with spectacular scenery. No conventions, no bars, no trucks. Jerome is interesting if only for a brief walk-through. Visit Sedona's two state parks -- Red Rock on the west side with miles of hiking trails...and Slide Rock seven miles north of town on Hwy 89a in the heart of Oak Creek Canyon. Beware of time-share sales places masquerading as tourist information sites. Instead, go uptown and drop by the CofC's visitor center where all kinds of info is yours free. Jeep tours come in all kinds and sizes. Pink Jeep is just one of them.

Sedona to GC via Flagstaff is an easy morning's drive. You go from 4,000 ft to 7,000 ft. It's cooler up there.

From GC to Monument Valley is three hours via Cameron and Tuba City. See if you can get into Goulding's, about the only place to stay in the valley itself. Otherwise, find a motel in Kayenta, 10 miles south. Or go on up to Mexican Hat or even on to Monticello.

Easy to drive from MV to Page across the Navajo Reservation. Watch your speedometer up there; their cops do not kid around. Leave Kayenta with a full tank of gas and a couple gallons of water in the trunk.

Do not hike in the middle of the day. Drink plenty of water and start drinking before you feel thirsty. Wear a hat out in the sun. Put on plenty of sunscreen. Wear practical shoes. Leave those heels at home. Have fun.

I agree about skipping Phoenix, and spending more time in Sedona, or seeing other National Parks - etc.

Phoenix in July would be horrible - - and its not really the prettiest city anyway.

You could also consider from MV returning through Petrified Forest and Painted Desert with a stop at the Hubbell Trading Post. With only six days, though, you just might want to concentrate on the GC Sedona and Page areas also within short distances of each other. That would give you some time to do a Float trip down the Colorado from Page in the morning and an afternoon trip to Antelope Slot Canyon. Another day could be spent taking a boat trip around Lake Powell. The girls will love the shopping in Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village as will you. Wonderful hiking in Sedona and the Canyon. Remember that you will be at higher elevations and desert and need to drink plenty of water. With only six days, if you do all you are planning, you will be doing drive-byes and spending most of those six days in the car. Even though the locations aren't that far apart - the beauty of the areas really cry out for more time. Suggest limiting yourself to Sedona area and Grand Canyon - possibly adding Page/Lake Powell - at minimum two days at each so you can enjoy. yourselves.

Six days? Good grief -- I missed that fact. Yes, do trim your trip. The more you drive, the less you see. Slow down, come back. I have a hunch you have not worked out the number of miles you propose to travel. Do that now. Have fun. Avoid exhaustion.

I am very grateful for everyone's responses, this is why I am using the forum - Now I know it is too much driving to see and do all I want in 6 days. I will cut it down. Sedona and the Grand Canyon are the main things, I have no desire to see Phoenix, just needed a way to get from Laguna Beach to Sedona. Any other suggestions and site welcom please.

I would pass on Phoenix also. I was there once in July and in no hurry to go back in the summer.

Did I miss where OP said they were stopping in Phoenix? Sounds like they're just driving through.

Sedona is a trap. Beautiful stuff around it, but just a godawful trap of a town. If you're not interested in lots of hiking, drive through Sedona, look at the pretty rocks, and get out before you get sucked into one of the vortexes or have someone offering to read your crystals or some such thing.

Laguna Beach to Sedona via I-10 through Phoenix will be the shorter route.

If you are going to the Grand Canyon first, then I'd take I-40.

If you plan on returning to Laguna Beach on a Sunday...then I would suggest going to the Grand Canyon first and then take I-10 home because on Sunday's the traffic on I-15 from Barstow to the L.A. area is like commute traffic because people are going home from Las Vegas!

If you only have 6 days and that includes the day coming and going, then I would stick with just the Grand Canyona and Sedona area. I haven't spent much time in Sedona because it's to developed for my taste. But nearby is Montezuma's Castle National Monument. Also I would exit the Grand Canyon at Desert View and make your way down to Sedona via Cameron (the drive between Desert View and Cameron is pretty scenic going in this direction. Then take the 395 loop to see Wupatiki National Monument and Sunset Crater before reaching Flagstaff.

Utahtea

Say all the derogatory things you want to about Sedona, but bear this in mind: it has 12,000 residents...and Phoenix grows by adding that much population every six weeks. And has done so for years and years and years. Las Vegas equals that every three weeks, incidentally.

Weasel, Sedona must be doing something right. Otherwise, why would 4 million visitors come through each year? And whether you like it or not, it is voted one of the most beautiful places in America in poll after poll. Sorry. Your sour grapes are showing.

I definitely want to spend time in Sedona, no matter how developed it is. USNR- mentioned Thunderbird Lodge, I am still checking into places to stay, you definitely like the place? Tucsoncoors-you mentioned Paige/Lake Powell, I hadn't even considered this, but will now check into it. I like the idea of a float trip, but I thought Lake Powell area was all for boaters and not much else there. IF Monument Valley is too much driving I will check into this area.
I so appreciate all the posts.
Elaine

It's Sky Ranch Lodge (not Thunderbird); it is on top of a 500-ft mesa where we have our small airport, overlooks Sedona clear to the far horizon. Quiet, peaceful, away from all traffic. Pool, gardens, no bars.

seremarcus,

Since your time is so limited, you might check to see if the still do the float trip from the Grand Canyon. It cost a little more, but they bus you to Glen Canyon dam, where you get on the rafts, then they bus you back to the Grand Canyon. In your case, the cost might be a wash.

The float trip is a lot of fun and very scenic.

My pictures on the float trip:
http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/pages...2003/float.htm

Utahtea

Here are my plans so far. Leaving Laguna Beach, Ca to Sedona, spending Fri & Sat. night in Sedpna, Sky Ranch Lodge. Grand Canyon - Yavapai for Sun.& Mon. Now what to do for tues, wed and thurs as now we have to be in Phoenix for a conference on Thurs and home on Friday.
Do I need 2 nights in the GC? We won't be doing hiking, but enjoy sight seeing.
In Sedona we will do the Pink Jeep tour and want to see Jerome, and other sights. Antelope Slot Canyon looks great, as does Monument Valley, but not sure if we have enough time to be back in Phoenix by Wed.night for conference thurs morning.
Thanks for all the imput.
Elaine

I think I would pick either Page or Monument Valley.

There's a lot to do in Page to keep you busy for two full days. Slot Canyon tours, short hike to Horseshoe Bend, boat tours and float trip.

If you pick Monument Valley, then I would return to Phoenix via Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Perified Forest & Painted Desert...and you could even throw in Walnut Canyon National Monument.

Utahtea

I returned from Southern Utah and Arizona day before yesterday. I'm in the midst of writing a detailed report.

Of all the places I saw, the Grand Canyon is at the bottom. I imagine, if you hike down into the Canyon you can get a better perspective of what you're seeing. However, from the rim it looks like a big, hazy hole and not very pretty. You can't really get a feel for its size from above.

I just don't understand the attraction to the G.C.

As for seeing sights, I'd much rather go near Page and see "The best dam view", Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. These are spectacular sights for a few hours of viewing.

Sedona. I really wasn't taken by the town. A bunch of motels and restaurants that close by 9PM. Many art galleries and a few stores that close by 6PM. Many traps that masquarade as tourist info that sell services and time-shares.

But... the setting can't be beat. I spent 2 days hiking and the Cathedral Rock sunset!!!!!

Just before leaving I sat down in the motel lobby to try and figure out what a tourist who doesn't want to hike would. Visit Jerome, Pink Jeep Tour, Helicopter ride (?), visit art galleries, unwind by a pool, long day trip to G.C.

Before writing I didn't read the last few posts.

I didn't actually go into Page. I stopped at the "Best Dam View" and drove another couple of miles to Horseshoe Bend. This requires a 3/4 mile hot walk on rock and/or soft sand. When you get to the rim there's no barrier, fence or screen. It's just straight down. You can't see anything by looking out. You've got to be right at the rim and look down.

I was a bit concerned so I lied down on my stomach and crawled to the edge. What a great view of this amazing sight.

I drove east on 98 from 89 past the big trading post (name?) and another 2 miles to the parking lot for Upper Antelope Canyon. TAKE WITH A TRIPOD. The is one sight not to be missed. It's not just a spot.

They drive you there and a guide explains the various formations and the names given to them.

It's and easy, flat walk throught about 200 yards of canyon. The swirling rocks with the sun bouncing off the walls and reflecting off the dust in the air is a sight to see. You spend an hour there. Go between 11 and 2PM for vertical light.

Seeing the sights I saw took about 3 hours. Well, well worth the stop or detour.

As for the Grand Canyon. If you're not going to hike down one viewpoint looks pretty much like any other. Try to view from the west to east in the PM and east to west in AM so that you're not facing the hazy sun. I got there around 5PM and left by 10AM the next morning. The best parts were the sunset at Hopi Point (shuttle), sunrise walking along the rim (stayed at Bright Angel) and the view towards the west from Mather Point in the morning.

Hi Again,

Well glad you have chosen GC and Sedona - both great trips. We are headed back for some R&R in Sedona next week. I would skip MV and if you can't find enough to do at those two locations - do Page with the Float trip and Antelope Canyon (we can highly recommend "Chief Tsosie's tour" 928-645-5594....small group and individual attention and the drive is in an SUV vs flat bed truck with a dozen or so others try to get Vere - she is wonderful), the hike to Horseshoe Bend (Do it early in the morning before it gets too hot - you will see where the float trip goes)the Dam tour is pretty interesting and there is a wonderful visitors center just north of the Dam on the west side of the road for Escalante National Monument. The people there offer a wealth of information about the discoveries that are being made there - in particular, new Dinosaur digs - it was really facinating. Will be glad to fill you in on highlights of our Sedona trip next week if you would like; just email me at [email protected].