Photo Trip Ideas & Planning for Grand Canyon

[guitarbug]

Could some of you who have visited the Grand Canyon give me some trip planning info ?
Everything from :

What airport
What rim - North or South or both
Where to stay
what trails- somewhat bad knee, but have done some rigid hiking in past.
best photo ops for sunrise & sunset
travel times to get to photo ops
what else near the Grand Canyon we could see that is not more than 2 hours away.

I am trying to put together a small 4 night 5 day trip to either the Grand Canyon or Yosemite . I have been to Yosemite, but could use suggestions on it also. We are looking at late June or early July of this year . I am also open to other places that would be great for a photo trip mainly, but also just a getaway! Thanks ahead of time TPF'ers

PS, I know to do some real hiking and exploring in the Grand Canyon you have to reserve permits and such 6 months in advance! So I need more spur of the moment help?

[billash1]

I can't speak to all your questions, but I can recommend both rims. North is not far from Bryce Canyon, Zion, Canyonlands parks, so I highly recommend spending as much time as you can in those locales.
We last stayed in the lodge right on the South rim. We were on the top (second) floor, and had a very large window that overlooked the rim. It was so close that we could actually look down a bit into the canyon. I still remember, fondly, getting up real early, being quiet not to disturb my wife and kids, wheeling my mountain bike out of our room and down the stairs, and in five seconds was riding the trail along the rim, enjoying the cool mountain air, the solitude, the early morning light. A VERY good memory.

[L Stegall]

I can't answer them all either, but I've been to the North Rim and it is well worth the trip. It is higher elevation, less visitors and cooler (temp wise). We stayed at the cabins at the rim - part of national park service - not sure how far out you must book them. Flying into Las Vegas works. You can do Zion on the way over. Staying at the cabins at the Rim meant being there for sunrise and sunset - both are truly spectacular. Don't remember the hiking trail names. We did the 1/2 day mule ride, as our son was old enough for that, but not old enough for the full day trip. Frankly, 1/2 day on a mule was plenty for me. That takes you only halfway down to the canyon floor and back. If you do the mule trip - try to get as far up front as possible. Once you've been riding behind one, you'll know why! Also, it is chilly at night and early morning, but hot during the day in summer, so layer appropriately.

[SCone]

North Rim has great views, but most require walking down the trails. South Rim has more tourist, but you can drive right to the edge of most everything. We stood on Bright Angel Point at dawn in Sept and there were maybe a dozen people. The South Rim had 3-4 times as many folks everywhere we stopped.

North was 55-70 degrees, South 10-15 more. North is 8800 feet, South around 7300. North has trees, tons of forest and beautiful meadows, South is more desert look. North has various trails, some paved, some not. Each is rated so you don't get in over your head.

Both sides have many places that allow you get get right on the edge of the canyon, this can be good and bad. The gift shop has a book called "Death in the Canyon" that chronicles the hazards of getting too close. Two people died just this past year.

The North side has very few views of the river, and seldom are you able to see the whole canyon. The South side gives you that magestic view that we're so used to seeing in postcards.

Less than 10% of the park visitors will ever see the North Rim, it was well worth the trip.

[3n-Out]

I went to Vegas about 5 years ago and we took the drive out to the Grand Canyon. "5 Hours Drive" but was well worth it. We visited only the South Rim, But i can tell you if you have never been you are in for quite a treat it is a site to see indeed.

Have a great time.. Sorry I didn't have more information for you I'm just trying to hype ya up.. hehehhee

[guitarbug]

Thanks John, Lisa, Bill & Stephen!

Bill, the place you stayed at do you recall if there is a waiting list ? Also, what airport ? Was it Vegas or is there one closer ? Thanks for the info. Could still use some more ideas from ya,all ...

[SCone]

Cape Royal Trail <<< Best sunsets
.6 mile round- trip
The three best views at the Grand Canyon are all on the North Rim and Cape Royal is among the big three! The other two are much harder to get to: Tuweep and Point Sublime. Cape Royal's paved path has little elevation change so it is good for baby strollers and wheelchairs. If your time is limited in the Grand Canyon and you only have time to hike one trail, then this is the one to choose. One of the highlights is walking on top of Angels Window where the view of the Colorado River and the canyon is spectacular. Weddings are often held in the picnic area at the start of this hike.

Bright Angel Point <<< Awesome sunrise
.05 miles round-trip
This paved trail leads down to a spectacular view point of the Grand Canyon. The point was named by John Wesley Powell, after a character in Milton's "Paradise Lost", an epic poem about original sin, the fall of man and the loss of innocence. If you look closely at the rocks at the end of the trail, crinoid fossils and shells can be seen in the Kaibab limestone.

North Kaibab Trail
10 miles round-trip
The North Kaibab Trail descends beneath the rim, through the forest into Roaring Springs Canyon, then along Bright Angel Creek to the Colorado River. Coconio Overlook is .75 mile below the rim, where hikers often turn around. Supai Tunnel is 1.8 miles below the rim, which can be another destination if you want to hike a bit more. It is 4.7 miles from the rim to Roaring Springs and it's another .25 mile to hike to the spring. This is as far as hikers should attempt to go and be able to return in one day. Backpackers can continue on the North Kaibab Trail all the way to the Colorado River and to Phantom Ranch where there is camping, food and lodging.

Ken Patrick Trail
10 miles round-trip
This trail begins at the Point Imperial parking lot which is the highest place in the Grand Canyon that can be reached by car. There is a three mile segment between Point Imperial and the Cape Royal Scenic Drive that follows the plateau rim, the rest of the path is through the forest ending at the North Kaibab Trailhead.

Uncle Jim Trail
3.9 mile round-trip
The Uncle Jim Trail is shared with mules, but when the concession ends in October the path becomes a nice hiking trail. The first section offers a great view of Roaring Springs and the North Kaibab Trail. Much of the trail is through the forest leading to an overlook of the canyon. Uncle Jim Ownes was the game warden for the U.S. Forest Service at the Grand Canyon in the early 1900's.

Transept Trail
3.0 mile round-trip
This trail follows the rim, starting at the north corner of the Grand Canyon Lodge, to a path leading to the North Rim Campground. This is an easy hike through a forested area with little elevation change. The path offers nice views of the canyon and passes the remnants of a 1000 year old Indian ruin.

Widforss Trail
4.2 mile round-trip
The trail starts by following the rim for 2.5 miles then it cuts into the forest, ending at Widforss Point. The trail is named for Gunnar Widforss, an artist who painted settings from the Grand Canyon in the 1930's. There is usually a brochure at the start of the trailhead that describes the many marked points along the trail.

Cliff Springs Trail
1.0 mile round-trip
The hike is through a forested ravine, past a prehistoric ruin (Ancestral Puebloan granary). The trail ends at a nice spring and an unusual view of the canyon.

Cape Final Trail
4.0 mile round-trip
The Cape Final Trail is a gravel and dirt path with little elevation change that wanders through the forest to a lookout point on the east rim of the Kaibab Plateau. It's a nice trail that is not as crowded as some of the others.

Point Imperial Trail <<< fantastic views
Point Imperial is a short, easy trail, or actually more of a view point that ends at the park boundary. Mt. Hayden and some nice views of the canyon are seen from the point. This is the highest point you can drive to. The elevation is 8,803 ft.

Point Sublime <<< 4WD or very LONG hike
A 4WD is required to reach this spectacular view point. Other than the views at Tuweep and Cape Royal, this view point has no comparison. The remote drive to the point is a fun adventure in itself.

All this info is from this site...

http://www.eastziontourismcouncil.org/ghiking.htm

We lucked out and was able to camp less than 50 feet from the North Rim. And at the wonderful, Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim.

[guitarbug]

Wow Stephen, great info! I think you made up my mind on this. The only problem is trying to decide what trails to hit in 3 days and how many gig cards I will need , lol... I think the North rim will be our choice when we go, just need to hit the net and start making reservations.

[huttophoto]

If you're staying on the GC's north rim and want a break from hiking up and down , you might consider a side trip to Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon - upper canyon noontime photographer's tour, Horseshoe Canyon overlook) and a little farther north - Vermilion Cliffs Nat'l Mnt. & North Coyote Buttes "The Wave" (special permits required - too late for July ).
If you spend the night in Flagstaff, check out the Lowell Observatory's evening program. Maybe... a little jaunt over to Sunset Crater Nat'l Mnt. (recent volcanic activity)

No matter where you go - the trip is sure to be a winner!
Best wishes,
Steve

[SCone]

This was the backyard to our campsite. If I pack right now, drive straight through, I could be there in time for sunrise Saturday... hmmmmmm???

[Debbi]

If you go to the North Rim, don't forget about Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon. It's only a couple of hours from the GC and well worth the visit. Have fun!