Seemingly Random Southwest Splendors Questions...

[KLondon]

Hey all - I've read the SWS trip reports, but I'm hoping someone might have some answers for a few questions I still have:

Footwear - I know that the SWS hiking activies are not extreme, but what kind of footwear is appropriate for this tour? Are standard-issue running shoes the way to go, or should one invest in more technologically advanced footwear?

Red Cliffs and Horses - Does anyone have any advice about spending the free afternoon at Red Cliffs Lodge? What kind of options are there for horseback riding?

I'm sure I have other dumb questions, but this is it for now.

Thanks!

 

[sayhello]

Hey all - I've read the SWS trip reports, but I'm hoping someone might have some answers for a few questions I still have:

Footwear - I know that the SWS hiking activies are not extreme, but what kind of footwear is appropriate for this tour? Are standard-issue running shoes the way to go, or should one invest in more technologically advanced footwear?

For most of it you can get by with regular old running/tennis shoes. Personally, I was really glad I had lightweight hikers (New Balance) for the hike to Delicate Arch. They don't call it slick rock for nothing, and I felt better with the traction. But other people wore Keens or tennis shoes, and nobody took a plunge, so there you go!

Red Cliffs and Horses - Does anyone have any advice about spending the free afternoon at Red Cliffs Lodge? What kind of options are there for horseback riding?

I didn't do it, but several people took the horseback ride that they offered at Red Cliffs Lodge. I don't think there were "options", per se. That I recall, there was a set ride, and if you wanted to ride, that's what you did. I heard it was a long, dusty ride. Hopefully someone who actually did it will chime in.

I'm sure I have other dumb questions, but this is it for now.

Thanks!

Shall I? Of course... "The only dumb question is the one you don't ask!"

Sayhello

 

[kristilew]

Don't bother with the horseback ride unless you have a child who will be happy to just sit on a horse, or if you are not a real rider and would be thrilled to just be on a horse. The horses go nose-to-bumper at a crawl along a very dusty trail. The scenery is pretty, but you could see the same scenery in less time by taking a brisk walk (on your own feet.) This is not a "ride" where you are actually controlling your horse in any way. Also, it takes a very long time to load everyone onto their horse - it is done one at a time while the cowhands make a big deal about choosing the right horse for you. It was a full hour after the appointed start time before we rode off, and we covered a very, very small distance, never out of sight of the ranch. I really felt like we wasted the morning.

On the other hand, my daughter, who was 11 and loves horses but has never had a chance to ride except in these kinds of situations, was thrilled to pieces. She thought the cowhands really "matched" her to her horse. She thought she did a great job "steering" her horse, because it stayed in line and actually moved. (and really, under those criteria, she did, b/c some kids couldn't get their horse to move and had crying fits, and everyone had to come to a halt numerous times while a guide went back and got the horse to move.) She thought going under willow trees at the end was a big, risky thrill. And I loved watching her have fun.

So it totally depends on what you are looking for. If you have any experience on horseback at all, skip this and apply your money to the ATV ride. That really was thrilling, had great scenery, and had us all cackling with glee the whole tmie. We still talk about it a year later.


As for the shoes - if you'll do real hiking the day you're on your own at the GC, then it's worth it to carry the boots in your luggage and also wear them on the Arch hike. Or, if you have weak ankles, definitely do boots, b/c it's a lot of up and down. If you're steady on your pins, a good pair of trail runners, low hikers, or day hikers should be fine for you, and also comfortable enough to wear on other days. I wouldn't do the Keens, or other open-sided shoes on the Arch hike, because the sand is very hot and you could irritate your feet by exposing them to it. If you want more shoe detail, we on this board have been known to post pictures/links to our personal favorites (and it's an ongoing quest for many of us) and could probably be persuaded to do so again....

 

[natureprincess]

Hey all - I've read the SWS trip reports, but I'm hoping someone might have some answers for a few questions I still have:

Footwear - I know that the SWS hiking activies are not extreme, but what kind of footwear is appropriate for this tour? Are standard-issue running shoes the way to go, or should one invest in more technologically advanced footwear?

Red Cliffs and Horses - Does anyone have any advice about spending the free afternoon at Red Cliffs Lodge? What kind of options are there for horseback riding?

I'm sure I have other dumb questions, but this is it for now.

Thanks!

I would recommend ATVing. It was a lot of fun and a great way to spend the afternoon. I heard mixed reviews about the horseback riding on my trip. Some people really enjoyed it, others said it was too long to be on a horse without getting off. There was also the hummer tour, which I heard was good, but pretty similar to the jeep offroading that we do. I would hands-down recommend the ATVs. You can sign up at the front desk and the ATV company will pick you up at the hotel.

 

[KLondon]

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback.

Just a question about the ATVs. Does anyone have an insights into how underage kids can be accommodated on that activity? I have a son who is 14, so I believe he's under the age cutoff (16?) to drive an ATV. I'm just wondering what happens in that situation.

Many thanks, again!

 

[kjd469]

Hello from a fellow Londoner You will love the Southwest Splendours trip! And I agree with what the others have said...nobody on our trip really liked the horseback ride. Us and another family did the ATV, and although it is expensive, it is so worth every penny! Our son was only 15, so they had a double ATV for my husband and he to ride on, and he still loved it even though he couldn't drive his own. They have single, double and even one that accommodates 6 people! Something I wish I had known ahead of time - bring some clothes that you don't mind getting really dirty - there is a lot of red dust, dirt and mud from crossing the streams...I bought a cheap t-shirt that day to wear and I'm glad I had it as I wouldn't want to have worn something good. Have fun and enjoy your trip!

 

[natureprincess]

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback.

Just a question about the ATVs. Does anyone have an insights into how underage kids can be accommodated on that activity? I have a son who is 14, so I believe he's under the age cutoff (16?) to drive an ATV. I'm just wondering what happens in that situation.

Many thanks, again!

Yeah, if your child doesn't have their driver's license, then they can go with another adult driving them and ride in one of the ATVs that carries passengers. The most common is called the Rhino, and it seats 2. On our trip, the youngest kid went and he was about 7 years old.

 

[glassslipper2004]

Southwest Splendors is a wonderful trip - you will have a great time!

We are one of the families who had mixed feelings about the horseback ride. Personally I hated it, as did my DD9 - it took over three hours, it was painful, out of control hot (even in the morning), and really, really, boring. As Kristilew mentioned, the horses walk slowly with their noses touching the horse in front of them. We had a very long string of ABD'ers, together with some kids who were scared and cried a lot (thankfully not mine, although by the end she was pretty close to tears from the stress of trying to keep her horse from biting her sister's horse in front of her, as the guides had told her if her horse bit her sister's horse the horse could rear up and throw her off... not a very good strategy).

People who went ATV'ing or just hiking seemed to enjoy their free time more. The Red Rocks lodge is in a gorgeous location. I wish we could have had more time rafting - that was a real highlight of the trip for me. If I had the trip to do over and could plan it all myself, I'd stick in more time on or near the river.

Have a great time!

 

[airbear]

I went horseback riding at the Red Cliffs Lodge and I really enjoyed it. The scenery was awesome and I had never ridden a horse before so the slow pace was just fine for me. (Yes, it is slow and takes a long time) I can see how small kids and people who have ridden horses before may find it boring but for a first timer, it was a great experience.

 

[Turtlemom]

The reason we decided against horseback riding was the heat---I love horses and riding, but not in the sun at those temps (we went in August).
We did do the ATV ride though, and our family (kids were 11 and 8 at the time) absolutely LOVED it! It was their favorite thing on the whole trip. We took the Rhinos. My DH and I drove and each took 1 kid shotgun. We all had a blast.

Have fun whatever you do on your trip!!!!!

 

[Shadan Jem]

Don't know when you are going, but my family (incl nearly 10 DS and 7 DD) just returned home from SWS a week ago. We only had tennis shoes / low top merrill boots my DH uses here on the farm. Many just wore Chaco's, including our two Adventure Guides. One advice - don't take NEW shoes. They will return home covered in red dust.

When in Sedona - try to get in Cody's jeep. He is great. We ended up arranging to go on an additional 3 hour jeep ride that afternoon with him....it was well worth the $$. The ATV ride in Moab was also awesome.

In regards to the ATV driving age......well, our AG told us that if our DS took the online ATV safety course at atvsafety.org and printed out the certificate he could drive if ...hm...he was age 10. Our son drives our tractor, and we felt comfortable with him on the 360 ATV. He had a blast! Certainly worth a try.

Try hiking to the top of the hill at the Red Cliffs one a.m. to catch the sunrise. We had the kids out the door at 5 a.m. They weren't initially very happy, but it was absolutely beautiful, and they agreed!

Have fun!

 

[Sharkbyte]

We took this wonderful trip!!! As far as shoe wear, a good pair of sneakers is fine, nothing more. The horseback riding was magical through the Utah mountains. It is not a flat ride so I wouldn't have very little children go. It is a family friendly ride. This trip was breathtaking! From the magnificent Grand Canyon, to the white water rafting down the Colorado river to the red rocks and horseback riding in Utah....We went 2 days early and took a hot-air ballon in Arizona..one of the best and exciting and peaceful things I have ever done!
Have fun!