Too old for Grand Canyon mules?
Dec 2nd, 2006, 02:07 PM
#21
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cactushugger,
We have a daughter who lives in Costa Rica, so we spent three weeks there, sightseeing when she and her husbans were working. He did have time to take us on a city tour of San Jose and we had three days with them to visit Arenal. On our own we went to Manuel Antonio and Volcan Poas and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, with stops in craft villages. Another trip took us to Volcan Irizu and through the Orosi Valley. (We didn't do jungle lodges in CR as we had done that in Peru a few years ago after a trip to Machu Piccu) While we were in Tamarindo we rented a 4 x 4 and did some traveling around that area, beaches and a pottery village. We loved the wildlife and the scenery.
We have a daughter who lives in Costa Rica, so we spent three weeks there, sightseeing when she and her husbans were working. He did have time to take us on a city tour of San Jose and we had three days with them to visit Arenal. On our own we went to Manuel Antonio and Volcan Poas and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, with stops in craft villages. Another trip took us to Volcan Irizu and through the Orosi Valley. (We didn't do jungle lodges in CR as we had done that in Peru a few years ago after a trip to Machu Piccu) While we were in Tamarindo we rented a 4 x 4 and did some traveling around that area, beaches and a pottery village. We loved the wildlife and the scenery.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 09:54 AM
#22
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jt, It sounds like you hit some of the highlights in Costa Rica. We'll probably do th Orosi Valley tour too.
Thanks to everyone else who replied. I think I'm going to steer Mom away from the mules. Too hard on the body! We'll go during a cool season, so, I think day hikes will suit us better. We're both very interseted in evrything outdoors: birds, reptiles, plants, geology, etc. I think we'll really enjoy having the freedom to stop and observe at our own pace. I don't know when this trip will take place, but, I'm ready TODAY. Thanks for all the help.
Happy trails!
Thanks to everyone else who replied. I think I'm going to steer Mom away from the mules. Too hard on the body! We'll go during a cool season, so, I think day hikes will suit us better. We're both very interseted in evrything outdoors: birds, reptiles, plants, geology, etc. I think we'll really enjoy having the freedom to stop and observe at our own pace. I don't know when this trip will take place, but, I'm ready TODAY. Thanks for all the help.
Happy trails!
Dec 29th, 2006, 09:32 AM
#23
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Hi Cactus, hats off to your madre for wanting to brave a Grand Canyon mule ride. I think you've made a well thought out decision to encourage her to hike instead.
I've taken the mule trip myself, and have knwon a few 75+ folks who've taken it and lived to tell about it, but only after careful consideration of what they were getting into. To quote an old wrangler, "this ain't no pony ride at Disneyland - you will be tired, you will be sore!"
What made the trip bearable for the seniors I knew that took the trip successfully was they did it during the cooler parts of the year (late fall, late winter, early spring, etc., summertime? H**l no....), were in VERY good health and had cleared it with their doctors beforehand. It is a difficult trip physically, if you have back, neck, hip or knee problems forget about it. Ditto if you're afraid of heights. I've hiked the canyon and ridden the mules, and I was 10X more tired after the mule trip than I was doing it under my own steam - and I was in my 20's at the time!
A previous poster had made a comment about a saddle cushion - sorry to bear some bad news, but I'm not certain that those are allowed. I've seen riders try to bring those sorts of things on the trip and the wranglers had to "confiscate" them. This was awhile back, though, and things could be different now. When in doubt, check it out.
In short, the mule ride is fun, but any potential Grand Canyon mule rider should consider the risks and rigors of the trip very carefully before committing - regardless of age! Plus, the trip is incredibly popular, so one must make reservations well in advance (9 months to a year) Online visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com or call Xanterra South Rim LLC 888/297-2757.
I've taken the mule trip myself, and have knwon a few 75+ folks who've taken it and lived to tell about it, but only after careful consideration of what they were getting into. To quote an old wrangler, "this ain't no pony ride at Disneyland - you will be tired, you will be sore!"
What made the trip bearable for the seniors I knew that took the trip successfully was they did it during the cooler parts of the year (late fall, late winter, early spring, etc., summertime? H**l no....), were in VERY good health and had cleared it with their doctors beforehand. It is a difficult trip physically, if you have back, neck, hip or knee problems forget about it. Ditto if you're afraid of heights. I've hiked the canyon and ridden the mules, and I was 10X more tired after the mule trip than I was doing it under my own steam - and I was in my 20's at the time!
A previous poster had made a comment about a saddle cushion - sorry to bear some bad news, but I'm not certain that those are allowed. I've seen riders try to bring those sorts of things on the trip and the wranglers had to "confiscate" them. This was awhile back, though, and things could be different now. When in doubt, check it out.
In short, the mule ride is fun, but any potential Grand Canyon mule rider should consider the risks and rigors of the trip very carefully before committing - regardless of age! Plus, the trip is incredibly popular, so one must make reservations well in advance (9 months to a year) Online visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com or call Xanterra South Rim LLC 888/297-2757.
