Grand Canyon and nearby sights trip
May 17, 2022 11:18:38 #
Driving from Ohio to the Grand Canyon to see it, (probably for the last time). I was there when I was 10 years old. Now at 78 I cannot do the hiking up and down like I used to be able to do. Is there a driving tour that will enable me to see the highlights, maybe get us into some side canyons , and see some of the beautiful places I see posted on UHH? Any recommendations about where to stop along the way from Ohio are also appreciated. I am a nature freak and especially like waterfalls. I can hike to some shorter views, a mile or less as long as it isn't too steep. Would love to go down into the canyon but do not know if there are any ways to get into it by car. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for all replies.
May 17, 2022 11:32:56 #
There is a shuttle that runs the South Rim in the summer. It's a hop on-hop off, so one can stop and see the sights. There's also a trail (paved) along the South Rim. I did it once on a pretty hot day. Take LOTS of water! All of the other trails go down, and the down is pretty steep, particularly at the top. My first venture into the Canyon was to hike down to Indian Gardens. The trip down was pretty easy. The hike out was REALLY HARD. There used to be a plane ride and maybe even a helicopter ride over the Canyon. But there has been a lot of controversy about them, so they may no longer be available. And they were QUITE pricey.
May 17, 2022 11:41:57 #
May 17, 2022 11:44:25 #
The Grand Canyon National Park remains accessible by helicopter, donkey, and hiking, so far as I know. It offers a number of viewpoints easily accessible by foot. You can park your car close to the edge. You may wish to do some research on viewpoints.
If you have the time, consider visiting the big five national parks in Utah: Bryce Canon, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.
The latter two national parks lie next to each other. If you go to them, then allot 2 or 3 days even if you travel only the scenic routes.
You could easily spend several days exploring these two.
The nearby town of Moab offers all the amenities but has expensive lodging. When I go, I stay in Green River.
If you have the time, consider visiting the big five national parks in Utah: Bryce Canon, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.
The latter two national parks lie next to each other. If you go to them, then allot 2 or 3 days even if you travel only the scenic routes.
You could easily spend several days exploring these two.
The nearby town of Moab offers all the amenities but has expensive lodging. When I go, I stay in Green River.
Gilkar wrote:
Driving from Ohio to the Grand Canyon to see it, (... (show quote)
May 17, 2022 11:53:17 #
I prefer the north rim to the sout rim because they only get about 15% of the visitors. Check out vermillion cliffs and Kaibab forest on the way there. South rim is good too. The trolley there will provide many photo ops. But there are a bunch of people there. You can drive down to the Colorado river at lees ferry but the canyon is not as dramatic there
Gilkar wrote:
Driving from Ohio to the Grand Canyon to see it, (... (show quote)
May 17, 2022 11:55:18 #
Several years ago we took the airplane flight-seeing over the Grand Canyon. Be aware of where the sun is and put yourself on the shaded side of the airplane. They make a counter clockwise trip over the canyon. First they head north over the panted desert and then start the tour. Enjoy...
May 18, 2022 05:23:29 #
Gilkar wrote:
Driving from Ohio to the Grand Canyon to see it, (... (show quote)
Go to Winslow,Az and stand on a corner, then take old Rt 66 to the meteor crater. Drive couple hours south and take in Sedona, Az.
May 18, 2022 07:40:17 #
May 18, 2022 08:43:40 #
https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/grand-canyon/2022/05/16/grand-canyon-shuttle-schedule/9751644002/
--Bob
--Bob
Gilkar wrote:
Driving from Ohio to the Grand Canyon to see it, (... (show quote)
May 18, 2022 09:12:16 #
On the way: Head West out of Denver to Grand Junction, then South on Highway 50 (this route is NOT for the faint-of-heart or if you are pulling a trailer). This takes you through Ouray ("The Switzerland of America") and down over the Red Mountain Pass between Silverton and Durango. If you can get a reservation for the narrow-gauge train that runs between those towns, do so. Heading West from Durango is Mesa Verde National Park - worth seeing but will take quite a bit of time - a long slow crawl up the mountain behind RVs.
You can drop south and go through Monument Valley. If you have time, drop further south to Chinle, in the heart of the Navajo Nation, spend a night, and take the half-day jeep tour of the amazing Canyon de Chelley (pronounced "de-shay"). Awesome deep canyon with cliff dwellings. There is so much to see along the way!
You can drop south and go through Monument Valley. If you have time, drop further south to Chinle, in the heart of the Navajo Nation, spend a night, and take the half-day jeep tour of the amazing Canyon de Chelley (pronounced "de-shay"). Awesome deep canyon with cliff dwellings. There is so much to see along the way!
May 18, 2022 09:19:23 #
Coming from Ohio, you have all the great National Parks in Utah;
in the vast Navajo Nation areas: you have famed Monument Valley on Utah/Arizona Border, and in Page, Arizona (just a few hours drive from the Grand Canyon) you have Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are bucket-list places for any photographer. IMHO.
There are also, as folks have noted, many great locations to see ancient Native American cliff dwellings.
Just a few shots: First sunrise over Monument Valley
And midday in Lower Antelope Canyon
And late afternoon at Horseshoe Bend and the Colorado River
Cheers
in the vast Navajo Nation areas: you have famed Monument Valley on Utah/Arizona Border, and in Page, Arizona (just a few hours drive from the Grand Canyon) you have Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are bucket-list places for any photographer. IMHO.
There are also, as folks have noted, many great locations to see ancient Native American cliff dwellings.
Just a few shots: First sunrise over Monument Valley
And midday in Lower Antelope Canyon
And late afternoon at Horseshoe Bend and the Colorado River
Cheers
May 18, 2022 09:40:17 #
The Navajo Nation areas in Arizona.
https://www.visitarizona.com/places/american-indian/navajo-nation/
Another shot from Monument Valley
Another shot from Lower Antelope Canyon
And a nighttime shot from Monument Valley, with the Milky Way and a passing space station over one of the buttes there, as the approaching daylight starts to encroach over the night sky. This is all one exposure, night and day in same shot. Taken from the balcony of my room at the "View" hotel right in Monument Valley. That is were you want to stay overnight there.
https://www.visitarizona.com/places/american-indian/navajo-nation/
Another shot from Monument Valley
Another shot from Lower Antelope Canyon
And a nighttime shot from Monument Valley, with the Milky Way and a passing space station over one of the buttes there, as the approaching daylight starts to encroach over the night sky. This is all one exposure, night and day in same shot. Taken from the balcony of my room at the "View" hotel right in Monument Valley. That is were you want to stay overnight there.
May 18, 2022 12:36:31 #
Why not fly to Vegas or Phoenix and start from there. The drive from Ohio (and back) is long and boring, and tiring.
May 18, 2022 16:13:24 #
I have explored the flights - it was my original idea. Then I saw what it would cost for two people. YIKES!!!!!!
May 18, 2022 16:16:26 #
Thanks for your insights, Gerald. Great shots! I've been to the Utah parks on a recent previous trip. I do want to se Sedona, Monument Valley, and particularly Antelope canyon. I heard the the Antelope Canyon trips are restricted to guided tours only.
Gilkar
Gilkar
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