Question about the Grand Canyon for our trip

[PRINCESS VIJA]

If you only had 1-2 days to spend at the Grand Canyon what would you do? We can't do the mule ride, because DD is too short. It seems a little overwhelming to me right now.

 

[monkeyboy]

When I went with my family my sister and I met up with a native american.

He helped us find our way back to our family and we fed him beans and hotdogs

 

[dizagain]

Well, I've been researching this too for my family. Had a trip all panned for next week and DH discovers he cannot travel all summer due to work. So I re-scheduled for Thanksving...

My family is starting in Williams, AZ and taking the Grand Canyon Railway to the G.C. We're staying in a hotel in Williams first, then one at the G.C., then at Williams again. While at the G.C., we're taking at least one bus tour - from what I've read, it's the best way to get around. They also have free trams to some points. The South Rim is where we'll be spending most if not all of our time. DH has some interest in the Colorado border towns due to some reading he's been doing, so we may get up there afterall.

I personally am glad we're not "going down" on foot or by mule - don't think my family could deal with it...it's pretty tough from what I hear. My Daddy told me it took him and some friends 14 hours to climb back up.

I hope you have a great trip...I've decided not to worry about finding things to do...I think it'll just happen!

 

[Amy]

We're going to the Grand Canyon next month, for 2 days also. We're not doing the mule ride, basically because none of us have ever been on a horse, and I don't think a 4-hour mule ride is a smart thing to do for our first time, LOL!

Anyway, we ARE going on a 1-hour horseback ride in the forest outside the Grand Canyon. (I figure we can handle 1 hour on a horse without getting too sore.) We're going thru Apache Stables - they also have wagon/campfire rides, too.

Another thing we're doing is a Sunset Jeep Ride, thru Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris . They have some other tours that you might be interested in.

And then I figure we'll do some walking/hiking on some of the trails.

My boys (12 and 14) are already getting mad at me because I told them that we'll be getting up to watch the sunrise every single day we're there! Hey--it's probably the only time we'll get to see the Grand Canyon!!

 

[my3kids]

There is a trail all along the edge of the south rim. You will see the canyon from many different vantage points. Be sure to look for the CA Condors from the rim. I recommend at least a short walk down into the canyon. We took our kids who were much too short for the mules down this way. Bright Angel trail is probably the most popular, and it starts right on the rim where the hotels and restaurants are. There is a water and bathroom point at 1.5 miles. You can get a slight feel for the vastness of the canyon even by walking a little way into the beauty. Start EARLY, like 6 am or so and take a back pack with way more water than you ever think you'd drink. They say the walk will take twice as long back out as it does going down, but for us it only about 5 minutes more.

The NPS has electric buses which travel most of the south rim. From each pick up point, you can go back to the hotel, or a different point along the route. They have some express buses really early int he morning to some of the outlaying trail heads, like at 4 am, 5 am and maybe 6 am. These buses are always free.

If you can, dinner at El Tovar is wonderful. The Bright Angel Cafe was good for lunch, and I think we had dinner in there once also. If not staying at El Tovar, make sure you go in and see the lobby anyway.

Beware of the squirrels. Because so many people have fed them, they are no longer wary of humans. Even though there are signs and announcements everywhere, you'll still see people feeding them. Anyway, one of my kids was laying on a bench on the porch of El Tovar with an ice cream cone in hand. A squirrel jumped up onto his chest to get the cone. While the kids all thought it was absolutely hilarious, it scared me to death.

Take warm clothing. Even in July I was surprised at just how cold the nights were. It was down to the low 40's and that was the South rim. North rim is even colder.

Although the 2 rims are only 10 miles apart, I think the driving time is something like 7 hours.....definately not something you can sneak in easily.

Take binaculors.

There are no pools at the NPS hotels, in case you need to give your kids a heads up.

Free Ranger programs outdoors nightly on various topics.

 

[dizagain]

Thanks, guys! I'm sitting here taking notes!

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Originally posted by PRINCESS VIJA
If you only had 1-2 days to spend at the Grand Canyon what would you do?

Spit in the Grand Canyon. Of course if you are going to do that for 1 -2 days you probably should take extra water or you might get dehydrated.

Jeff

 

[Twigs]

My3kids gave you a lot of good tips, things that we did too last summer.

Go to the visitors center, it is across from Mather point and get the booklet for your daughter to become a Junior Ranger. At the end of the day you bring it back filled in, and your daughter will take an oath and receive a badge. You can also purchase a Junior Ranger patch from the gift shop at the visitors center when they see the siged off book.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks for the great tips!!! I can't wait to share them with DH!

 

[msdznyduck]

Are you going anywhere else in addition to the Grand Canyon? About 5 yrs ago, we went, and also went to Bryce and Zion. Beautiful!!
If you go, look into the National park pass. I think it was $50, good for year, and good for admission to all National parks in the USA. Not bad, when you consider, the Grand Canyon is about $20 just for the car.....I think they also charged per person, but am not sure since we had the pass. You can also do the Junior Ranger programs at all parks, and get badges (usually plastic, but cool anyway). When we got home I made shadow boxes for both my kids with all their badges, a bone of some sort, for my DS, and some of the neat brochures we picked up. We also went to Mesa Verde, took the tour, and climbed the ladders into the caves. Very cool.

 

[Kallison]

That mule ride is frightening -- I would not recommend it. The trails are very high, steep and narrow. The mule will stop and lean way over to eat and there you are -- hanging onto his back for dear life!

I recommend the Bright Angel trail too - also kind of scary, but I'm a scared of heights!! I remember just hugging the canyon wall.

We hiked the rim of the canyons, you will see actual wagon ruts from pioneer days on the trails.

If you go out at night take a flashlight. It is so dark, you cannot see your hand in front of your face. My Mom and I were stranded walking back from the lodge to our cabin. Some kind man rescued us, it was hilarious, we couldn't see to walk forward or backwards.

Saw lots of idiots feeding the squirrels and mule deer. Be careful on the ledges, there are warnings and fences for a reason. Saw #$%hole parents letting their kids climb around the fence and walk out on the ledges to get a "good" picture.

Have fun.