Grand Canyon (Page 3): I couldn't agree more. Way too much money. And, from the way you are coming, you would be going way out of your way. Go to the South Rim. Stop in Williams...

ocpd44 Loc: The Real OC

Wall-E wrote:

That's because it's run by the 'natives' and they want maximum bucks for minimum deliverables. It's a time limited experience.

Save your money and go to the National Park. Maybe take the train from Williams.

I couldn't agree more. Way too much money. And, from the way you are coming, you would be going way out of your way. Go to the South Rim. Stop in Williams, Arizona and take the train up to the park. You can then take the tour bus tonthe best photo spots. Best bang for your buck.

ocpd44 Loc: The Real OC

Bobbee wrote:

Stop a Sadonna too. Nice place. Although someone said it has changed and is toooo crowded now.

Right now, Sedona is looking a bit toasty from the fires.

Ted Liette Loc: Greenville, Ohio

Wall-E wrote:

That's because it's run by the 'natives' and they want maximum bucks for minimum deliverables. It's a time limited experience.

Save your money and go to the National Park. Maybe take the train from Williams.

We took the train from Williams, AZ and if I had it to do over again we'd drove the car. It was a nice train ride and very entertaining but we wanted to explore once we got to the Canyon. But the train returned to Williams after only 2 hours and that's all we saw of the Grand Canyon, but it was a magnificent sight!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Ted Liette wrote:

We took the train from Williams, AZ and if I had it to do over again we'd drove the car. It was a nice train ride and very entertaining but we wanted to explore once we got to the Canyon. But the train returned to Williams after only 2 hours and that's all we saw of the Grand Canyon, but it was a magnificent sight!

Is the train station near a motel, hotel or B&B, thus warranting an overnight trip? How far would you have to walk to see the high spots (pun unintended)?

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

ocpd44 wrote:

Right now, Sedona is looking a bit toasty from the fires.

Shoudn't be too toasty, you are now hearing something from a former USFS firefighter/paramedic in AZ, me. The Slide Fire is over 95% contained meaning virtually no chance of fire jumping the line around 95% of the fire. The remaining 5% has good line around it. Slide Rock State Park is a few miles N. of Sedona. I would call the USFS Red Rock Ranger Station in Sedona and they can advise you on smoke conditions. You can find the phone number on the internet at the Coconino National Forest Site where all Ranger District Stations are listed.

ocpd44 Loc: The Real OC

wlgoode wrote:

Shoudn't be too toasty, you are now hearing someth... (show quote)

That's good to hear. That part of Arizona up to Flag and over to Williams is some of my favorite country.

ocpd44 Loc: The Real OC

Mogul wrote:

Is the train station near a motel, hotel or B&B, thus warranting an overnight trip? How far would you have to walk to see the high spots (pun unintended)?

The train originates next to a hotel in Williams and in the Canyon there are two nearby hotels. Also, the shuttle is set up to take you around the canyon then be back to the train before it leaves. Honestly, I'd spend the night. AAA has some special packages for a nice venture.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

ocpd44 wrote:

That's good to hear. That part of Arizona up to Flag and over to Williams is some of my favorite country.

This is a very misunderstood, beautiful state. That is a special part of it. Of course I have no bias.

MtnMan Loc: ID

dennis2146 wrote:

I love your photos of the Grand Canyon. I have been a few times and have gotten some good shots but most of the time is not good for the type of photos you have displayed. Well done.

Dennis

Thanks.

I'd tried before as well. Going in January made all the difference. Besides the clear air no one was there. We drove our camper to the places you have to take the bus to in summer and pulled out our chairs and were the only ones sitting there gazing out at the canyon. Awesome experience...plus some better photos!

I now have a better wide angle lens so we'll have a rematch next January.

MtnMan Loc: ID

wlgoode wrote:

This is a very misunderstood, beautiful state. That is a special part of it. Of course I have no bias.

We drove all the way down the East side of Arizona this January. Blew me away. I had no idea it had such mountains. Felt right at home at 9,000 ft in the Ponderosas (we live in Idaho).

It was a wee bit chilly, though. We didn't warm up till we got almost to Mexico.

Ted Liette Loc: Greenville, Ohio

I guess it has been a few years since we've been to the canyon, it was 1999 to be exact. That means we need to go again, after reading all the comments, a lot must have changed in 15 years!

MtnMan Loc: ID

Ted Liette wrote:

I guess it has been a few years since we've been to the canyon, it was 1999 to be exact. That means we need to go again, after reading all the comments, a lot must have changed in 15 years!

Well, nothing has changed in the Canyon.

The air quality may have actually improved some.

I don't know when they put in the bus system. It was there a couple of years ago when we went in June but it wasn't there on my previous trips many years before. It is actually a good thing when the park is crowded. You can still drive the road east of main lodging area in the summer. It gets less traffic and has may great overlooks.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

MtnMan wrote:

We drove all the way down the East side of Arizona this January. Blew me away. I had no idea it had such mountains. Felt right at home at 9,000 ft in the Ponderosas (we live in Idaho).

It was a wee bit chilly, though. We didn't warm up till we got almost to Mexico.

Quite a surprise for all to find the world's largest stand of Ponderosa Pines in AZ spread among our 7 national forests. But where is the sand and cactus dad?

MtnMan Loc: ID

Mogul wrote:

Is the train station near a motel, hotel or B&B, thus warranting an overnight trip? How far would you have to walk to see the high spots (pun unintended)?

The lodges are right next to the train station.

From there in summer you can take the free busses to many viewpoints to the west. But if you have a car you can also drive the road along the south rim for about 20 miles to the east from there. It is much less crowded and has some neat stuff. If you have the car anyway I'd take the car. Also the car gives you more accessible lodging options, including those just outside the park main entrance...only a few miles from the parking area for the busses.

We camp but in the summer you need reservations for camping and they might be tough to get in the main area; at least on weekends. There is a nice campground near the east entrance that is more likely to have space.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Mogul wrote:

Is the train station near a motel, hotel or B&B, thus warranting an overnight trip? How far would you have to walk to see the high spots (pun unintended)?

In Williams, the train company runs a motel right at the Depot.
At the Canyon, there are 5 Lodges within easy walking distance of the Depot.
*BUT*, they sometimes sell out MONTHS ahead.

There's now a FREE bus service from Tusayan, if you buy your entrance pass before entering the park.

The bus/shuttle services run during the height of the tourist season, not all year 'round.

Also, the 'America the Beautiful' Pass saves a heap 'o money on entrance fees to National Parks, Monuments, and Rec Areas.
Lifetime pass for 62 or older is $10.
Annual passes are FREE for military, and $80 for everyone else.
http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm