Saturday, April 23, 2011

Grand Canyon - Trip Plan

Upon research on visiting Grand Canyon, I found out: 1) most people go to Grand Canyon via flying to Las Vegas, NV, then driving to the park from there (5 hours). 2) of all people visiting Grand Canyon, only 10% visited North Rim of the Park, which is 220 miles drive from the south rim.

It turned out flying to Phoenix, AZ and then drive to the park is more efficient and cost less. We planed to visit North Rim, and we also planed to experience the Colorado river at Grand Canyon. So our trip to Grand Canyon was a six day trip, including 4 day at Grand Canyon Area.

Day 1: N Texas to Phoenix

Flight 7pm from DFW, arrive Phoenix 9pm local time

Day 2: Smooth-Water Raft Trip in Colorado River

Drive from Phoenix to Page AZ Total Est. Time: 4 hours, 24 minutes Total Est. Distance: 279.23 miles. Must leave on or before Phoenix 7am to arrive Page, AZ ~ 11:30am – must at Boat HQ at 12:30pm.

Half-day trips on the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry are provided by Colorado River Discovery. Departing from the scenic town of Page, Arizona, your trip will begin with an exciting and exclusive ride down the two-mile long Glen Canyon Dam access tunnel. At river level, with the dam soaring 583 feet above you, you will board a comfortable, motorized pontoon raft for your journey downstream.......

Stay at Page Best Western

Day 3: Grand Canyon North Rim

Leave Page,AZ for North Rim at 7:30am or earlier

North Rim (information per nps.gov)

A worthwhile trip for those who enjoy the road less traveled, the North Rim, or "other side" of the Grand Canyon is visited by only 10% of all Grand Canyon visitors. The Hike across the canyon from South Rim to North Rim is 21 miles / 34 km. However, traveling from the South Rim to the North Rim by automobile requires a five-hour drive of 220 miles / 354 km.

Notable vistas: Bright Angel Point; Imperial and Cape Royal; Angels Window

Drive to south rim, watch Sunset

Day 4: Grand Canyon South Rim

Morning

Rim Trail - the main venue for seeing Grand Canyon vistas

Yavapai Observation Station

Train ride at the end of the Rim Trail

Afternoon

Desert View

The Desert View Watchtower


Day 5: Hike into Canyon

A 3-mile round trip day hike into the canyon

Drive to Phoenix, AZ


Day 6: Return to North TX

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