The Grand Canyon

[Boopie]

We are thinking about taking a spring break trip to the Grand Canyon, with our two elementary-school-age sons. I have the brochure for the Grand Canyon Railway, and it looks great, but haven't committed to anything, and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions, such as hotels (including in Flagstaff, Arizona), sightseeing (including other things to see and do on a Grand Canyon trip), etc. The only thing that is "out" is a helicopter ride.

Thanks.

[joe100]

I will be honest with you. The GC is spectacular but unless you're outdoorsy as hell, it's the most boring place on earth. I've flown over it countless times as a passenger and pilot and I always say to myself: "wow, it's beautiful...okay moving on".

If you wanna see the old west, and ride a train, life doesn't get much better than the Durango and Silverton Railroad in Colorado. A lot more to do in the area too...

[bayerische]

I must agree.

I went there back in -97 with my father, somehow we expected something like Disney. Well not really, but unless you have your mountaineering gear on, you'll be standing on one of the platforms, and take a bunch of pics. After 30min or so, you've seen it.

It's absolutely wonderful, but I'm not sure I'd go again. Well wife want to see it at some point, so I guess I'll have to go back. But then we'll do it in the proper way. Helicopter and a trek down into the valley.

[77T]

Spring can be a very relatively cold season at the canyon - just stay abreast of the weather systems and have a back-up plan. Avg. high: 51 and avg. Low: 25

[East Bay Rider]

[Puffy]

I've been to the GC twice and loved it!!

stopped at Sedona i think it's called. also amazing

first time stayed for three nights and just drove to the various look out points during the day. stayed at the holiday inn in grand canyon. cheap and cheerful but did the job. from memory the bacon was very crispy and snacktacular

in the evenings ate in a western style restaurant. nice steaks and cold beer

second time took a flight from vegas and did the skywalk. the walk is a waste of time

make sure you get plenty of sunsets in and bring warm and windproof gear as it gets bloody cold!!!

larry (tools) has been and check out some of his pics. they're incredible

[conrail]

It's my favorite place in the world to hike. The train is pretty cool. If you want to get up early and hit the trails (you do!) then your best bet is to stay at the rim itself, either in the El Tovar Lodge (great Mexican breakfasts) or the other less expensive hotel.

Check the weather before you go because it can be cooler on the rim in the mornings with snow and ice in the shady parts of the trails in the early spring, but 80 degrees closer down to the river.

My favorite trail is the South Kaibab Trail, which you need to take a 20 minute shuttle bus to (that leaves near the train tracks at the south rim lodge) early in the morning. There is water and port-a-potties at the trail head but no water or shade on the trail. However the vista opens up quickly and you can see up and down the canyon for miles - it is quite stunning.

The drive up from Phoenix is incredible especially if you take the slightly less direct route that twists and winds its way up through Sedona via switchbacks in the road. Then you hit the breathtaking Northern Arizona High Plains which stretch as far as you can see.

Here's a couple pics from the trail referenced above:






However no picture can do the place justice. If you love outdoors/hiking/geology (lots of fossils in the limestone), you'll be in heaven!

[AzPaul]

I've hiked up and down close to a dozen times and have loved it every time.

There's a shuttle system on the south rim that'll take you to all the different trailheads and vantage points. For a little day hike, maybe going down a mile or two, use the Bright Angel Trail. If things aren't still frozen, there's usually running water every mile or so that makes things a little easier. The altitude, however, will surprise you, even without a big pack on your back.

There are a few campgrounds (a coin operated shower facility too) up top and you can try to reserve spaces there through the NPS website. You can reserve rooms at the different lodges in the park itself through a company called Xanterra. There's also a little hotel cluster just ouside the park in a little town called 'Tusayan'. The hotels there are all independently operated and you're only about 10 minutes from the rim there.

Flagstaff is a cool little town about an hour and a half away. Lots of hotels and restaurants there but be careful not to get a room to close to the train tracks or you'll be hearing very close train whistles all night long.

Feel free to private message me if I can help or answer any other questions for you. I love the Grand Canyon and I'm always happy to see others take it in.

Spring break, however, is not the greatest time to be there. It's likely to be pretty dang cold and windy on the rim in March.

[Rodentman]

In 1975 I took the mule trip to Phantom Ranch. Quite the trip, really. When I lived in AZ (Ohx and later Tucson) we'd ride the cycle up there quite often.

However, I don't have any burning desire to go back. Rather go somewhere new.