Smoothwater Rafting on Colorado River?

Old Apr 7th, 2010, 09:22 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Smoothwater Rafting on Colorado River?

I received the following information from my hotel in the GC and was wondering if anyone is familiar with either of these tours, and are they worth it? I like the idea of a float trip - I did one in Montana once and really enjoyed it, altho' it was just for an hour or two.

I will be in the GC for 2 1/2 days, plan to do some hiking and a 45 minute helicopter tour, and probably a scenic drive, which I can probably do all in a day. So if these tours are worthwhile I wouldn't mind spending a full day on one of them. I will call the hotel for more info but would appreciate any feedback Fodorites can offer. Any comments?

"SMOOTHWATER FLOAT TRIP DOWN THE COLORADO RIVER (Full Day)

There is an amazing tour that departs the Grand Canyon Airport (less than 1 mile from the hotel) at 6:00 am with a beautiful air tour of the Grand Canyon, Colorado River, and Lake Powell landing in Page, AZ for a visit to Antelope Canyon with Breakfast then a relaxing and picturesque float down the Colorado River (Smooth Water) where you will stop to view ancient petroglyphs. A bistro boxed lunch and beverages all day is included. This tour is a full day returning around 6:30pm. (March though October only)

$324 per adult/$304 children 11yrs and under (includes air flight/tour over the Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Lake Powell, and Jeep Tour to Antelope Canyon, breakfast and Lunch. Check in at the Grand Canyon Airport at 6:00am returning at 6:00pm)

$179 per adult/$159 children 11yrs and under (Includes a two hour motor coach to launch area and lunch only with no air tour or jeep tour to Antelope Canyon and picks up at the Grand Hotel at 6:00am returning at 6:00pm) "
panecott is offline  
Old Apr 7th, 2010, 09:30 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can set this up yourself from Page, where the trips originate. Nice enough trip (nice scenery) but no white water. Starts below the Glen Canyon Dam and takes out at Lee's Ferry.

Google on "page float trip" to see many links to companies arranging this trip out of Page.

$324 per adult/$304 children 11yrs

Do-it-yourself from Page and the price is just a little bit lower ... the one I checked charged $84/adult and $74/child, of course without the air tour and Antelope Canyon trip.

So basically you are paying extra for the convenience of departing from GC instead of from Page.

Anyway, the float trip is worth-while. If going to Page for sure you should just book it from there, but if Page isn't on your itinerary then this is a nice day trip from GC.
Bill_H is offline  
Old Apr 7th, 2010, 11:31 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks. Page is not on my itinerary so I guess my only option is leaving from the GC.
I don't have a map in front of me, but from the description I'm guessing that Page is about a 2 hour drive from the GC? If that's the case, maybe I can just drive there and back myself. I wouldn't mind doing that if it's a pleasant enough drive

And I'm trying to decide whether to do the whole shebang - air, Antelope Canyon, etc. - or just take the bus to the launch and do the raft trip ( or drive there myself).

Do you think the Air Tour would be a repeat of the regular heli/plane tours over the GC ? I'm planning to do a heli tour and don't necessarily want a repeat performance the next day. Also, is Antelope Canyon something special that should not be missed? Finally, would the bus ride from GC to Page be scenic enough to make it preferable to the Air Tour? TIA.
panecott is offline  
Old Apr 7th, 2010, 12:13 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm guessing that Page is about a 2 hour drive from the GC?

A bit under 2.5 hrs each way to Page (Mapquest says 2:29 from the GC airport and you'll be starting 15 minutes closer). Interesting enough drive but 5 hours of it is a lot.

is Antelope Canyon something special that should not be missed?

Antelope Canyon is well worth seeing, especially if you have time for an hour or two in both upper and lower sections, but you'll run out of time eventually if you drive up and back to Page plus do the half-day float. I wonder how long the AC tour is if you do the fly-up plus the float trip?

Do you think the Air Tour would be a repeat of the regular heli/plane tours over the GC ?

My guess is by "air tour" they mean they take you from GC airport to Page airport, flying over the GC in the allowed corridors (which are limited, to cut down on noise pollution) and doing a fly-by of Lake Powell near the dam. I think if you take this option then maybe consider skip the second flight-seeing trip in the heli.

The heli trip you mention is probably going to cross the canyon near Point Sublime in the Hermit rapids area. You'd see more of the canyon on the plane ride to Page, but of course in the chopper you'll get to hover and I think they go lower than the planes.

would the bus ride from GC to Page be scenic enough to make it preferable to the Air Tour?

Nope, no way ...

Basically you have three options -- 'whole shebang' (flight-seeing, AC tour, float trip), or take the bus and just do the float trip, or drive yourself and do the float trip and possibly AC. The first one is fine if you want to spend the bucks ... if I had to choose between taking the bus for $179/person or driving myself I'd definitely drive.

Antelope Canyon is only 2 miles outside Page, you could leave at 6 AM and be in Page early enough to view the lower section of AC for a while, then meet the folks for the raft trip. Basically Page is small and you just have to find two places, where to meet the rafting party and the entrance to AC, which you can do easily enough.
Bill_H is offline  
Old Apr 7th, 2010, 12:40 PM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks very much, Bill, this is very helpful.
I'm going to call the man from the hotel who sent me this info and get more details on the route of the plane, and the length of the jeep tour of AC.

I'm generally a do-it-yourselfer and don't like tours, especially all day tours, but if the Air Tour is comparable to the heli tour, that might make it worthwhile, both pricewise and from a practical standpoint since I'll be killing two birds with one stone - getting my aerial view of the GC while getting to Page for the float trip and not having to drive for 5 hours.
So I guess that will be the deciding factor -- how similar is the route of the Air Tour to the heli tour. I'll do one or the other, but not both. And if I opt for the heli tour then I'll consider driving to Page for the float trip, which I really want to do and get to see Antelope Canyon in the process.

I tend to agree with you about the bus. I've pretty much eliminated that option.
panecott is offline  
Old Apr 7th, 2010, 04:41 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Panecott, glad to help out ...

I'm going to call the man from the hotel

I would ask 1) do we visit both upper and lower Antelope Canyon, or just upper? and 2) what time of day are we in AC? and 3) for how long?

Upper has a lot more visitors because it's easy to walk thru it, just a flat sandy floor about 100 yards long. Lower requires you to scramble around, climbing a couple of ladders etc. Upper is best mid-day when the 'beam of light' shines into the crack, like the upper-left photo in this sequence from upper:
http://www.pbase.com/spassmore/antelope_canyon

Lower has good light all day and is much different from upper. Here are some typical photos from lower:
http://www.pbase.com/rophoto/lower_antelope_canyon

You can search the pbase site for 'antelope canyon' to see hundreds more hobbyist sites like these. Pretty neat place.

Probably you will be in upper for about an hour, I'm guessing too early for the 'beam of light' given the timing on the float trip, but hopefully I'm wrong about that.

I guess that will be the deciding factor -- how similar is the route of the Air Tour to the heli tour

Here's a site that shows the routes:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/upload/sfra.pdf

Basically the heli flight will leave GC airport (green lines on map), cross the canyon going north to the other side and circle around the north rim, then cross back south to the airport. I've seen them hovering near Point Sublime for several minutes, then they have to dart off (the air corridor is tightly controlled for both noise pollution and safety because of so many choppers in the air). So of the 45 minutes total flight I'd guess maybe 20-25 minutes are spent over the actual gorge.

The fixed wing flight to Page gets to follow the river corridor for about 60 river miles upstream in the GC, then another 20 miles before reaching Page if I'm interpreting the map right (and back upon return in the afternoon, when the light will be sweet).

No question, this would be a more scenic, longer lasting visual treat. I would rather do this than the chopper flight.

I did something similar to this once at the end of a river trip which took out about mile 180 ("Bar Ten airstrip" on the map, about 90 miles downstream from the main visitor center) and flew in a small plane back to Marble Canyon airstrip not far from Page. Pretty cool flight. I have not taken a heli flight so can't compare directly.
Bill_H is offline  
Old Apr 7th, 2010, 06:25 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you have never flown over the GC, then the trip might be worth the cost. We did the Page area on our own and did the float trip in the morning and the upper AC in the afternoon. Both were well worth the time spent. I think we spent about $90 each for the float and $20 each plus $6 to park the car, this means you plane ride and ground transportation are about $200. Only you can decide if this is worth it. The key to AC is to have a bright sunny day. I have some pictures of this at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009/sets in the 2008 set if you would like to see.
emalloy is offline  
Old Apr 7th, 2010, 07:28 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We did the float trip, arranged through Grand Canyon, and it was wonderful. You get such a unique perspective from inside the canyon (even though the trip does not actually get into the Grand Canyon itself). Ours did not include AC. It was a long day and we were exhausted and glad to be riding the bus back to GC.
elnap29 is offline  
Old Apr 8th, 2010, 11:16 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the replies, everyone, and Bill, thanks for the great links, and emalloy, beautiful photos! I think I'm convinced to do the Air Tour, which will give me the best bang for my buck.
Altho' it's pricey, when compared to the price of the the heli tour alone - $224 for 45 mins. and $179 for 25 mins. - the Air Tour seems pretty cost efficient, since for an additional $100 I'm also getting the float ride and Antelope Canyon (and I don't have to drive there!).
I also like the idea of being in the air both early and late in the day, with the different light conditions, which is an extra added bonus I won't find on the heli tour.

I left a message for the hotel guy last night and will ask him about AC, but from the photos in the links and emalloy's photos, it looks beautiful regardless of where or when. I'm guessing we won't see both upper and lower, but I think it'll still be great.
panecott is offline  
Old Apr 9th, 2010, 07:38 AM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, I spoke to the hotel concierge last night and he told me that as of April 1st, the Air Tour Co. upped its price to $373, which was disappointing to hear. He couldn't see any justification for the increase and I don't want to pay another $50 so I'll chuck that idea and do the heli tour as originally planned.

I'm going to Monument Valley after the GC so I was thinking of cutting out my last day/night in GC and spending it in Page, do the float, AC, and then head to MV the next day. So I'll give that some thought, otherwise, I'll just put off Page for another trip, when I do some of the Utah Parks.

Has anyone ever driven from Page to MV? It appears easy enough and seems to go along some scenic roads, which I like. Looks like I'd take 98 going SE, then NE on 160 to Kayenta, then N on 163 to MV. I estimate this would take about half a day, given that I'm prone to stopping for every photo op, and I have 2 nights in MV, so I think I'd have enough time there.

Would I be shortchanging myself if I spend only 2 nts. in GC? I don't have to see every nook and cranny and would just like to do a hike or two and some scenic driving on my own and I think I can do this all in a day and a half, including the heli ride. The concierge was suggesting an 8 hour van tour that goes through the park, but not down into the canyon, but I can't see why I can't just drive on my own through the park and do it at my own pace, which I prefer. Any comments on the times and the plan, and the possibly revised itinerary?

Thanks again for all your help.
panecott is offline  
Old Apr 9th, 2010, 09:05 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think 2 nights is plenty. We're big hikers and usually indulge thoroughly in the parks, but 2 nights there has been enough for us; we did 3 nights when we included the float trip.
elnap29 is offline  
Old Apr 9th, 2010, 09:44 AM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, elnap. I think it makes sense to spend a night in Page, since I really do want to do the float trip and see Antelope Canyon.
panecott is offline  
Old Apr 9th, 2010, 02:22 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's about a 2.5 hr drive from GC to Page. I would get up early for the sunrise at GC and then either eat breakfast at one of the two cafeterias and leave around 9 AM, or leave earlier and stop at Cameron Trading Post for breakfast. Better food at the Trading Post but it will take a bit longer to get served.

2 nights is enough time at GC if you are not backpacking into the inner canyon or spending a day on a mule ride, at least for most people. For sure giving up one night for Page is a good trade-off.

About 2:15 from Page to MV. Good way to do this xfer is to spend much of the day in Page since AC has good mid-day light, then time it so you arrive at MV later in the afternoon. Mid-day at MV the light is pretty flat and dull, but as the afternoon wears on the light just keeps getting better. Either sunrise or sunset and the two best times to do a MV tour, I feel.

Not sure what the "8 hour van tour" is unless it's a trip to the 'west rim', which is outside the park and highly NOT recommended. You can drive yourself inside the park to the east rim overlooks (which you will drive by on your way to Page/MV anyway), and you can take a free shuttle bus to the west rim overlooks.
Bill_H is offline  
Old Apr 9th, 2010, 02:52 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We did the float trip three years ago and loved it. Antelope Canyon is amazing - the Upper Canyon really is best at mid-day (we didn't see the Lower Canyon, can't comment on that). Be sure you stop and take the short hike to the Horseshoe Bend overlook of the Colorado River just a few miles south of Page, right off of Highway 89 - it's an incredible view (be warned, there are no guardrails, so don't get too close to the edge!). We did that after our float trip, and it was fun to see where we'd been just a few hours before from a very different perspective - seeing it before the trip might be even better.
Sara is offline  
Old Apr 9th, 2010, 03:25 PM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, Bill, for more great information.

I'll have to leave the GC fairly early b/c the float trip begins at 11:00 a.m., and I have to be at the office in Page by 10:30, so I want to give myself enough driving time b/c I tend to do things rather leisurely. But I think I should certainly be able to catch the sunrise and just take off after that and hope there's not too much traffic on 89.

And I'm glad I'll be able to spend part of the next day in Page and not have to rush thru' AC, so I think this is really working out well.

I think the van tour is something given by the hotel, and I'm pretty sure he said it's just thru' the South Rim Park, and the GC village and surrounding area. It really didn't sound too appealing to me and I can easily drive around on my own, which is what I intend to do. And I'll look into the shuttle bus to the West Rim overlooks.

I'm curious as to why you said the West Rim is not recommended. Is it b/c of safety issues, or something else? Someone mentioned on another thread that there were a lot of problems with crimes by tribal youths.

I'd been reading up on the West Rim and the hike all the way down to the waterfalls sounded very intriguing, but it wasn't possible to do that in one day and take a heli out b/c you have to be signed up for the heli by 1 p.m. I didn't want to spend the night in the canyon, especially after reading about the problems there, so I gave up on that idea.
panecott is offline  
Old Apr 9th, 2010, 04:56 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm curious as to why you said the West Rim is not recommended. Is it b/c of safety issues, or something else?

I'd been reading up on the West Rim and the hike all the way down to the waterfalls sounded very intriguing

I *think* you are mixing up the two different Indian reservations to the west of the south rim visitor center. 'West rim' is a kitschy tourist area with the infamous "Skywalk" located on the Hualapai reservation and funded by Vegas money so they can send Vegas tourists to the GC (though this is NOT part of the National Park).

There are no waterfalls at the Hualapai "west rim", I'm pretty sure you are referring to the Havasupai reservation, which is to the east of the 'west rim'. They allow tourists to hike or chopper in and have a camping area. This is where the beautiful waterfalls are.

Havasupai is OK (though there are a lot of sullen locals) but you don't have time for that ... 'west rim' is pretty hokey and usually voted the # 1 or # 2 worst tourist trap in Arizona (with The Train). This is the area where they built the gimmicky "Skywalk", the clear-floored platform that extends over a minor sub-canyon so you can look down at a couple thousand foot drop. For about $80 you are allowed to walk out there for a few minutes (but you can't take your camera ... they'll take photos of you and sell them to you for an additional fee ).

Anyway, this is mostly for people coming out of Vegas, if you are already at the south rim visitor area it would make no sense to go there, where the views are not nearly as spectacular.
Bill_H is offline  
Old Apr 9th, 2010, 07:36 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Unless you need to see a lot of the viewpoints, or you are hiking-2 nights will be plenty at GC. I think 1 day is plenty for Monument Valley as well. We enjoyed the area north of Monument Valley called Valley of the Gods(this is a mini MV). Right by VOG's is Moki Dugway, Muley Point, and Goosenecks State Park. These are all within 5-10 miles of each other. If you happen to have extra time you might consider Rainbow Bridge tour at Lake Powell/Page. This takes 1/2 day on a boat. You might see this on your air tour, but I'm not sure. We did an heli-tour from South Rim of GC and thought it was worth doing. I have rafted the Grand Canyon on a short 3 day trip. My parents did a similar float trip as to what you mention and they really enjoyed it.
spirobulldog is offline  
Old Apr 12th, 2010, 06:23 AM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for all the responses, everyone.

Sara, I don't know how I missed your post last time, but thanks for the info on the Horseshoe Bend hike. Sounds great. I'll have time in the afternoon after my float trip and the next morning for the HB hike and Antelope Canyon, so that should work out.
I won't have time before the float trip b/c I'm driving up from the South Rim that morning.

Bill, you are right. I was confusing the two West Rim areas. I thought they were all one. I have no interest in the Sky Walk -- I hated the idea of it when it was built, and even if it weren't so touristy and expensive, just the thought of it gives me vertigo!
Havasupai Reservation is the one I was thinking of, but as you said, I don't have time for that. I booked my night in Page so I'll be fine with the day and a half in the GC.

spirobulldog, thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I don't have time for the boat ride to the Rainbow Bridge. I found out about it too late altho' it is something I would have enjoyed doing. I'd been looking at the map and wondering if I could get there from Monument Valley, but apparently the only way is thru' Lake Powell. But thanks for the info on the Valley of the Gods area at MV. It definitely sounds worth doing. I'm going to stick with my 2 nights at MV so I'll have enough time to explore.
panecott is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
euclid
United States
4
May 1st, 2011 08:27 AM
jar1229
United States
5
Sep 23rd, 2009 01:47 PM
mf6764
United States
3
Jun 5th, 2007 07:05 PM
coro
United States
2
May 22nd, 2006 11:01 PM
Sarah
United States
4
Apr 17th, 2002 01:21 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -