Sedona, Grand Canyon and Page

[PrincessInOz]

I think I was in danger of hijacking yet another thread....
Apologies to nchulka.



I'm looking to head to Sedona for 3 nights; Grand Canyon for 2 nights, Page for 2 nights and Monument Valley for 1 night in September 2013.


Hoping to fly into Phoenix and hire a car to drive to Sedona. Any recommendations for a route? I was just thinking of heading up the 17; with stopping at Montezuma's Castle and the Well. I did consider detouring via Fort Verde State Park; but they are closed on Tuesdays (which is the day I'm planning on flying to Phoenix).


At the Grand Canyon, do you have any favourite things to do? I suspect that I'm way too late for booking the mule trek; but I was considering hiring bicycles. Anyone done this at the village?


At Page, I'd like to go to the Secret Canyon; instead of Antelope Canyon. They offer a photographer's tour (longer duration) for the Secret Canyon and I was wondering if this was worth it.


I'm thinking of staying at the View in Monument Valley. I'd appreciate any opinions about this hotel and if you have been, which jeep tour company did you go with?


Thanks in advance.

 

[SA mom]

We are planning a similar trip this summer. Someone suggested the Pink Jeep Tours out of Sedona. There is another thread about the float trips out of Page. It really won me over.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks for posting!

I'm going to do that float trip; and the Verde Canyon Railway trip in Sedona.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Hi Princess.

It has been years since I rode the Verde Valley train, but it was lovely.

In Sedona, make sure you make your way to Red Rock Crossing. It has some of the most photographed vistas in the State. It might be a little early for most of the fall colors, but it should be gorgeous nonetheless.

Also, check out Cucina Rustica for dinner. It is a wonderful Italian restaurant.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi Princess.

It has been years since I rode the Verde Valley train, but it was lovely.

In Sedona, make sure you make your way to Red Rock Crossing. It has some of the most photographed vistas in the State. It might be a little early for most of the fall colors, but it should be gorgeous nonetheless.

Also, check out Cucina Rustica for dinner. It is a wonderful Italian restaurant.

Thanks! We're staying near Red Rock Crossing, walkable! The last time I was in Sedona, I was pregnant with DS12. Will be nice to share it with him properly this time.


Thanks for the tip for dinner. I'm going to check it out now.

 

[PrincessInOz]

OMG!!!! I just googled. It's Organic!!! I think I'm going to book a table! Thanks for the tip.

 

[CPT Tripss]

When you head up I-17, consider detouring through Prescott and then over the mountain to Jerome . . . http://www.azjerome.com/pages/jerome/map.htm . . . then, on to Sedona.

 

[PrincessInOz]

When you head up I-17, consider detouring through Prescott and then over the mountain to Jerome . . . http://www.azjerome.com/pages/jerome/map.htm . . . then, on to Sedona.

Thanks!

I'm booked in to the Verde Canyon RR for one of the days. I was thinking of heading to Jerome early for breakfast; and picking up lunch in Jerome before heading to the RR. Any suggestions?

 

[CPT Tripss]

Sorry, my visit was too long ago to remember eateries.

 

[jmpurcel]

Renting the bikes at the village can be a waste. You can only really ride them around the roads and not up along the trails next to the canyon. They forget to mention this when you rent them. They are pretty cheap though. I would recommend stopping in the El Tovar and grabbing a drink and sitting on the outside patio near the canyon. Great views

 

[PrincessInOz]

Renting the bikes at the village can be a waste. You can only really ride them around the roads and not up along the trails next to the canyon. They forget to mention this when you rent them. They are pretty cheap though. I would recommend stopping in the El Tovar and grabbing a drink and sitting on the outside patio near the canyon. Great views

Thanks. They don't mention them anywhere.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I think I've decided we're going to walk the Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon. Seems like it might be a good option depending on how DS feels (he's not an outdoor, hiking kind of kid.....yet) as it allows us to every so often cut back to the road and take the shuttle.

We will have a hire car; so an alternative to the hiking will be driving ourselves along the Desert View Drive.


However - does anyone have a favourite walk down and at what point do you come back up?

 

[CPT Tripss]

IIRC the trails that go down into the canyon are "out and back" rather than loop trails.

South Kaibab trail and go at least out to OohAhh Point. https://www.google.com/search?q=gra...hl=en&client=safari#biv=i|1;d|C5iJhA3qJsioPM:

Check out better topo map and/or talk to a ranger before you head out. Good shoes or hikers are essential.

ETA . . . Drive or take shuttle to trailhead. And remember you are starting at about 7,000 feet above sea level.

 

[tchrrx]

We visited Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, & Moab on an Adventure by Disney trip last summer. It was a beautiful area. On of our most fun memories was renting ATVs in Moab. It was a blast!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks for the info.