OT: Desert trip help

[Briccnerff]

Thinking of flying to Vegas, then rent a car to Hoover dam, Grand Canyon, Sedona, lake hava su, then Vega & fly home.

$75 round trip now. I have 4 teenage boys. And wife. Figure in the desert, won’t be many people around us face to face. Nice outdoorsy trip. Not worried about flying. Pressurized, hepa filters. Been told by two Rutgers RWJ pulmonologists flying not a problem with covid, as long as mask wearing.

so anyone do this or similar trip? How much time to spend at each place? Renting a house at lake hava su prolly two nights.
Vegas maybe one night in beginning and end. How many at Grand Canyon? Any help appreciated

 

[RU4Real]

Your pulmonologists don't know much about airplanes.

All the HEPA filters in the world won't protect you against the 6 people sitting within 6 feet of you. I'd strongly suggest an N95 mask.

 

[fsg2_rivals]

When you going? There are some destinations along the route at elevation (Flagstaff), but will be very hot elsewhere next couple months.

Don't count on not many people, especially this summer. All those places are very popular tourist destinations and they're calling this the summer of the RV. That has to be among the most popular RV stretches in the world.

Great trip idea, just a warning. Would be better in fall but maybe not possible with teens in school.

When I go down that way this time of year, I make sure it's at elevation and/ or in the forest (e.g. Bryce Canyon instead of Zion). Think the North Rim of the GC is pretty high (8,000 ft?), more forested and less crowded than the south. I'd look into that and skip the South shtshow.

 

[DJ Spanky]

You have picked the hottest time to fly out there. The heat is gonna be brutal.

 

[RU85inFla]

Bring water!

 

[beaced_rivals]

Thinking of flying to Vegas, then rent a car to Hoover dam, Grand Canyon, Sedona, lake hava su, then Vega & fly home.

$75 round trip now. I have 4 teenage boys. And wife. Figure in the desert, won’t be many people around us face to face. Nice outdoorsy trip. Not worried about flying. Pressurized, hepa filters. Been told by two Rutgers RWJ pulmonologists flying not a problem with covid, as long as mask wearing.

so anyone do this or similar trip? How much time to spend at each place? Renting a house at lake hava su prolly two nights.
Vegas maybe one night in beginning and end. How many at Grand Canyon? Any help appreciated

Desert ?Bring a lot of canteens.

 

[RUforester72]

Lots of interesting sights in and around Flagstaff. Elevation is 7000’ so it’s going to be much cooler than LV or PHX. Walnut Canyon National Monument and Coconino National Forest. Great hiking trails, good restaurants, beer, etc. Trip to Hopi would be memorable. Museum of Northern AZ has excellent Native American collections.

Agree with North Rim of GC being better choice but more remote. If you go there, try a visit to “Best Friends” animal refuge near Kanab.

I know that Sedona will be a zoo.

 

[Knightmoves]

Thinking of flying to Vegas, then rent a car to Hoover dam, Grand Canyon, Sedona, lake hava su, then Vega & fly home.

$75 round trip now. I have 4 teenage boys. And wife. Figure in the desert, won’t be many people around us face to face. Nice outdoorsy trip. Not worried about flying. Pressurized, hepa filters. Been told by two Rutgers RWJ pulmonologists flying not a problem with covid, as long as mask wearing.

so anyone do this or similar trip? How much time to spend at each place? Renting a house at lake hava su prolly two nights.
Vegas maybe one night in beginning and end. How many at Grand Canyon? Any help appreciated

Our crew took a golf trip there last August. Flew into Las Vegas then stayed in Mesquite NV, about 90 mins north. Great golf in that area and very close to Zion NP and many other NV/Utah state and Natl Parks nearby.

 

[fsg2_rivals]

Lots of interesting sights in and around Flagstaff. Elevation is 7000’ so it’s going to be much cooler than LV or PHX. Walnut Canyon National Monument and Coconino National Forest. Great hiking trails, good restaurants, beer, etc. Trip to Hopi would be memorable. Museum of Northern AZ has excellent Native American collections.

Agree with North Rim of GC being better choice but more remote. If you go there, try a visit to “Best Friends” animal refuge near Kanab.

I know that Sedona will be a zoo.

Great suggestion on Best Friends, was just looking at that today.

Place pretty much has its own gorgeous canyon and is awesome for animal lovers. You can take the dogs for hikes and even stay with them overnight in their cabins.

Pink Coral Sand Dunes worth visiting if you're up that way. Totally different from the rest of the area scenery.

 

[Briccnerff]

Thank you. Keep em coming

 

[ecojew]

When you going? There are some destinations along the route at elevation (Flagstaff), but will be very hot elsewhere next couple months.

Don't count on not many people, especially this summer. All those places are very popular tourist destinations and they're calling this the summer of the RV. That has to be among the most popular RV stretches in the world.

Great trip idea, just a warning. Would be better in fall but maybe not possible with teens in school.

When I go down that way this time of year, I make sure it's at elevation and/ or in the forest (e.g. Bryce Canyon instead of Zion). Think the North Rim of the GC is pretty high (8,000 ft?), more forested and less crowded than the south. I'd look into that and skip the South shtshow.

The North Rim is closed due to one of the three bushfires here in AZ. But the suggestion of a high elevation loop crossing northern AZ via Flagstaff, then heading up to Lake Powell (for a boat trip to Rainbow Bridge) in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, then go west through Bryce and Zion national parks and back to Vegas.

 

[Anon1654767511]

Thinking of flying to Vegas, then rent a car to Hoover dam, Grand Canyon, Sedona, lake hava su, then Vega & fly home.

$75 round trip now. I have 4 teenage boys. And wife. Figure in the desert, won’t be many people around us face to face. Nice outdoorsy trip. Not worried about flying. Pressurized, hepa filters. Been told by two Rutgers RWJ pulmonologists flying not a problem with covid, as long as mask wearing.

so anyone do this or similar trip? How much time to spend at each place? Renting a house at lake hava su prolly two nights.
Vegas maybe one night in beginning and end. How many at Grand Canyon? Any help appreciated

You might want to check out Meteor Crater which is 40 miles west of Flagstaff. They have guided tours of the crater. Its pretty neat.

In Sedona I would suggest visiting Chapel of the Holy Cross. Its non denominational and its perched in just a stunning location. Across the street and below the Chapel is the home of loan Cosmescu who is a pioneer in the medical device field with 36 US and over 100 international patents. His home is phenomenal albeit controversial.

If you're looking for a good place to dine in Sedona, I would recommend Mariposa (Latin cuisine) over near the airport. The yucca fries are to die for. A tad pricey but the views are exceptional making for a great dining experience.

 

[RU#1fan]

You have picked the hottest time to fly out there. The heat is gonna be brutal.

it’s a dry heat.
Going out in August for Hockey camp. Will be cool in the arena.

 

[MoobyCow]

Honestly, I could give you a weeks worth of stuff to do at each stop (except for the dam, which I found pretty meh).

This time of year: North Rim of the GC will be much more pleasant (but maybe put of the way driving).

Sedona is great for biking, but might be hot as all hell. Either way, it's so pretty you can't go wrong doing anything. Nice star gazing, cool jeep trips, at great hikes.

Lake is a lake, get a boat and spend the day on the water.

 

[Knight Shift]

You might want to check out Meteor Crater which is 40 miles west of Flagstaff. They have guided tours of the crater. Its pretty neat.

In Sedona I would suggest visiting Chapel of the Holy Cross. Its non denominational and its perched in just a stunning location. Across the street and below the Chapel is the home of loan Cosmescu who is a pioneer in the medical device field with 36 US and over 100 international patents. His home is phenomenal albeit controversial.

If you're looking for a good place to dine in Sedona, I would recommend Mariposa (Latin cuisine) over near the airport. The yucca fries are to die for. A tad pricey but the views are exceptional making for a great dining experience.

Chapel of the Holy Cross is Catholic. I would skip it. Lines are long and not that big of a deal.

Hike West Fork trail in Sedona, north of uptown. And in line with what @RUforester72 said, the Lava Tubes are worth a visit.
https://www.flagstaff.com/lava-tubes

Be forewarned, however, covid cases are rising in Yavapai (Sedona) and Coconino (Flagstaff and Sedona) counties. Many trails and attractions may be closed.

Mariposa had been closed due to covid. Very limited seating, and reservations are required. We prefer The Hudson. Less expensive and excellent food.

 

[RUfromSoCal?]

It will be hot
no really hot
no I mean really really really hot.
no, I'm not kidding, it will be even hotter than you think.

that said - some folks love death valley this time of year (the German's mostly for some strange reason).
If you think Hoover Dam and Havasu won't be crowded (because of the time of year or Covid), lol... nope.

friends out in Havasu last weekend - they said it was packed -

Some great deals in Vegas right now - though I'm not sure I'm ready to head back there.

 

[Knight Shift]

Covid cases rising very fast around Sedona, in two weeks cases have more than doubled:

And here's Flagstaff trend. ICU beds and vents rising quite quickly:

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Thinking of flying to Vegas, then rent a car to Hoover dam, Grand Canyon, Sedona, lake hava su, then Vega & fly home.

$75 round trip now. I have 4 teenage boys. And wife. Figure in the desert, won’t be many people around us face to face. Nice outdoorsy trip. Not worried about flying. Pressurized, hepa filters. Been told by two Rutgers RWJ pulmonologists flying not a problem with covid, as long as mask wearing.

so anyone do this or similar trip? How much time to spend at each place? Renting a house at lake hava su prolly two nights.
Vegas maybe one night in beginning and end. How many at Grand Canyon? Any help appreciated

Been to GC from both Phoenix and Vegas.

From Vegas I caught a cheap round-trip flight.. was only going to stay at GC 1 night. I met a couple friends whop were driving coast to coast and that was one of their stops. I was in SF and changed my flights to intercept them.

The problem was.. when I went back to the GC airport to catch a return flight.. there was no plane. I had a ticket.. did not have a plane. The counter was dark. I found a living human body someplace and explained the problem and they got me onto a Scenic Airways flight.. a small twin-engine prop-driven craft with, I assume, high school age pilots (they were young). But all went well. Nice views on the way back.

My drive from Phoenix wouldn't help explain things.

Just remember. GC is an upside-down mountain. If you hike down.. just remember you have to come back up. Most humans should be able to hike down Bright Angel trail 6 miles to Indian point where you can see the river. And get back up same day.

It gets hotter as you go down.. you start at, I think, something like 7000 feet on the south rim. Have not been to the north rim.. but driving from Vegas you might be better off doing another Utah park and the north rim. But the better views and the hotels and such are south rim.

Its hard to get reservations for Phantom Ranch at the bottom.. including campsite spots. maybe CoVid will change that. I hiked down in early november iirc.. snow at the top.. and you could swim (or wade) at the bottom... got a couple bunk bed spots in a cabin with a bunch of people at the last moment... but was lucky to get it.

Haven't been to Lake Havasu but from what I had heard I have no interest. Now.. the Havasupai Indian Reservation.. Havasu Falls.. that's another story.. haven't been but would love to see it.. iirc it takes a fairly strenuous 2-mile hike to see it.. and not sure if it flows in the summer

 

[Briccnerff]

Thank you everybody

 

[MrsScrew_rivals32693]

@RUScrew85 @herdof3 his wife and I flew into Vegas a number of years ago.. 4 adults.. 4 kids oldest was 14.
2 nights in Vegas.. Visited Hoover Dam, saw a show sat by the pool.
Drive thru Zion on the way to the North Rim of the canyon which is much less visited, spent 2 nights there...
Drive to Bryce.. Hiked a little
Spent 1 night in a random town then onto Moab where we spent 2 nights and white water rafted the Colorado River. It was August so the river was not too crazy for the kids
Drive back to Vegas for the flight home.

On a separate trip @RUScrew85 and I flew to Phoenix drove to Prescott for a couple of nights then into Sedona (pink jeep tour a must) then spent a couple nights in Scottsdale. Also in August.. Hot as hell.

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

Did almost that exact trip a couple of years ago. Not really a fan of Vegas but Sedona Is great. Kind of far though. The dam was neat. We really loved the Valley of Fire National Park neaR Vegas. It’s really more of a drive-thru park but worth it.

 

[SF88]

Thank you everybody

Google Bar 10 ranch. Our family did it in July many years ago. Flew in a smaller bubble window plane from Vegas with a narrated flight. Landed on a gravel “air strip” near the ranch. Spent a day there while horseback riding-skeet shooting-quading out to canyon rim. My kids were younger at the time so first time doing some of those things. All meals family style with the ranch hands. Corny but still fun “show” at night. You can sleep in dusty covered wagons or under stars on the deck.

The next morning after a hearty breakfast we helicoptered down to the river....another cool and first experience. You then raft the Colorado on big J-rig rafts. I’ve done class 4/5 rapid in WV and these were fun. You are floating through the Grand Canyon with amazing views of the geology. We stopped for side hikes to waterfalls/lunch. For dinner everyone unloads the rafts and the guides cook up the meal. You put your own cot together. We slept 20 ft from the river. The next day after breakfast we all pack the raft up again and start down river. The 2nd day is a half day and “slower”. As you leave canyon and enter Lake Mead the water shallows and you transfer to a jet boat, then a bus over the Hoover dam and ride back to Vegas. The bus even had an interesting video about the history of running the river

It was a once in a lifetime sort of trip. Lots of new experiences and I’d highly recommend. Very hot in summer but the river water was cool and refreshing

 

[Anon1654767511]

Chapel of the Holy Cross is Catholic. I would skip it. Lines are long and not that big of a deal.

Hike West Fork trail in Sedona, north of uptown. And in line with what @RUforester72 said, the Lava Tubes are worth a visit.
https://www.flagstaff.com/lava-tubes

Be forewarned, however, covid cases are rising in Yavapai (Sedona) and Coconino (Flagstaff and Sedona) counties. Many trails and attractions may be closed.

Mariposa had been closed due to covid. Very limited seating, and reservations are required. We prefer The Hudson. Less expensive and excellent food.

Noted on the Chapel's affiliation but Mariposa is open you just need a reservation.

 

[RUScrew85]

It will be hot
no really hot
no I mean really really really hot.
no, I'm not kidding, it will be even hotter than you think.

that said - some folks love death valley this time of year (the German's mostly for some strange reason).
If you think Hoover Dam and Havasu won't be crowded (because of the time of year or Covid), lol... nope.

friends out in Havasu last weekend - they said it was packed -

Some great deals in Vegas right now - though I'm not sure I'm ready to head back there.

Like 105F at 11PM hot.

 

[BigWill]

1. Get your Hotel/meals comped
2. Have them arrange a chopper to fly around Grand Can and other sightseeing.
3. The Hotel pool is like a small lake and you can swim in it.
4. Save the money and have a Sauna installed in your home.

 

[newwavedave1]

Will be doing a very similar trip next Spring or Fall. I'll be including Arches and Mesa Verde. One piece of advice, don't try to see too much in a short time.

 

[Scarlet4ever]

Been to GC from both Phoenix and Vegas.

From Vegas I caught a cheap round-trip flight.. was only going to stay at GC 1 night. I met a couple friends whop were driving coast to coast and that was one of their stops. I was in SF and changed my flights to intercept them.

The problem was.. when I went back to the GC airport to catch a return flight.. there was no plane. I had a ticket.. did not have a plane. The counter was dark. I found a living human body someplace and explained the problem and they got me onto a Scenic Airways flight.. a small twin-engine prop-driven craft with, I assume, high school age pilots (they were young). But all went well. Nice views on the way back.

My drive from Phoenix wouldn't help explain things.

Just remember. GC is an upside-down mountain. If you hike down.. just remember you have to come back up. Most humans should be able to hike down Bright Angel trail 6 miles to Indian point where you can see the river. And get back up same day.

It gets hotter as you go down.. you start at, I think, something like 7000 feet on the south rim. Have not been tot eh north rime.. but driving from Vegas you might be better off doing another Utah park and the north rim. But the better views and the hotels and such are south rim.

Its hard to get reservations for Phantom Ranch at the bottom.. including campsite spots. maybe CoVid will change that. I hiked down in early november iirc.. snow at the top.. and you could swim (or wade) at the bottom... got a couple bunk bed spots in a cabin with a bunch of people at the last moment... but was lucky to get it.

Haven't been to Lake Havasu but from what I had heard I have no interest. Now.. the Havasupai Indian Reservation.. Havasu Falls.. that's another story.. haven't been but would love to see it.. iirc it takes a fairly strenuous 2-mile hike to see it.. and not sure if it flows in the summer

This is the trip I want to do. But I think you have to reserve way ahead of time. They only issue a limited number of permits to enter into the reservation and they go fast. I think its also pretty expensive, because you basically have to do it through a travel group that gets first access to the permits. But everything I hear is that this is a fantastic, once in a lifetime, type trip.

 

[Knightmoves]

Will be doing a very similar trip next Spring or Fall. I'll be including Arches and Mesa Verde. One piece of advice, don't try to see too much in a short time.

This is good advice. Folks that end up with too much driving time on a vacation often regret it. Give your party time to relax and enjoy the sights instead of being on the go every day.

 

[rurichdog]

You have picked the hottest time to fly out there. The heat is gonna be brutal.

Hence the $75 airfare. Only the crazies are heading to the desert in the dog days of summer.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

This is the trip I want to do. But I think you have to reserve way ahead of time. They only issue a limited number of permits to enter into the reservation and they go fast. I think its also pretty expensive, because you basically have to do it through a travel group that gets first access to the permits. But everything I hear is that this is a fantastic, once in a lifetime, type trip.

A photo of that was on the cover of an atlas or something when I was a kid.. and I said.. I have to go there.. have not done it... it really is a bit out of the way.. but if you are driving from South Rim to Vegas.. it is possible.. if you do all steps.

alternatively.. go to Grand Canyon in March or April during the thaws and you should see lots of little waterfalls.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Google Bar 10 ranch. Our family did it in July many years ago. Flew in a smaller bubble window plane from Vegas with a narrated flight. Landed on a gravel “air strip” near the ranch. Spent a day there while horseback riding-skeet shooting-quading out to canyon rim. My kids were younger at the time so first time doing some of those things. All meals family style with the ranch hands. Corny but still fun “show” at night. You can sleep in dusty covered wagons or under stars on the deck.

The next morning after a hearty breakfast we helicoptered down to the river....another cool and first experience. You then raft the Colorado on big J-rig rafts. I’ve done class 4/5 rapid in WV and these were fun. You are floating through the Grand Canyon with amazing views of the geology. We stopped for side hikes to waterfalls/lunch. For dinner everyone unloads the rafts and the guides cook up the meal. You put your own cot together. We slept 20 ft from the river. The next day after breakfast we all pack the raft up again and start down river. The 2nd day is a half day and “slower”. As you leave canyon and enter Lake Mead the water shallows and you transfer to a jet boat, then a bus over the Hoover dam and ride back to Vegas. The bus even had an interesting video about the history of running the river

It was a once in a lifetime sort of trip. Lots of new experiences and I’d highly recommend. Very hot in summer but the river water was cool and refreshing

That sounds amazing. Well done.

 

[fsg2_rivals]

Hence the $75 airfare. Only the crazies are heading to the desert in the dog days of summer.

That's the beauty of that part of the country. Most of the desert is close, if not adjacent, to high desert or mountains. Flagstaff is at around 7,000 feet. Moab is next to the La Sals, which rise above 12K. Las Vegas Ski Resort tops out over 11K. Death Valley and the lowest, hottest part of the US are not far from the highest point.

I put off my trip to Capitol Reef last year until July 4 weekend. The park is open desert, but the campground is at 7000 feet. In June, nighttime temps were damn near freezing. July was great.

Get high, OP.

 

[RUevolution36]

would you be allowed back into NJ or have to quarantine for 14 days coming from AZ?

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Chapel of the Holy Cross is Catholic. I would skip it. Lines are long and not that big of a deal.

Hike West Fork trail in Sedona, north of uptown. And in line with what @RUforester72 said, the Lava Tubes are worth a visit.
https://www.flagstaff.com/lava-tubes

Be forewarned, however, covid cases are rising in Yavapai (Sedona) and Coconino (Flagstaff and Sedona) counties. Many trails and attractions may be closed.

Mariposa had been closed due to covid. Very limited seating, and reservations are required. We prefer The Hudson. Less expensive and excellent food.

Flew into Sedona (passenger) on a Cesna from Phoenix just to do it. Was working with a pilot and he wanted to go to Catalina for lunch (which was such a cool idea.. but the weather did not cooperate). So he decided on Sedona, which he said is the closest you can do to landing on an aircraft carrier on land. Short runways and cliffs. All we did was land.. go take a break.. and then fly back. I had thought we were in for some amazing flight.. this guy having been in the Air Force.. but he was soooo careful about everything... which is really what you want in a pilot.. but flying several thousand feet above all that scenery seemed like a waste.. but I am here to talk about it.. so, that's really what you want in a pilot.

oh... I forgot to say.. he was in the Air Force... as a mechanic (which I did not know). He took up flying much later.

 

[BigWill]

Local County Airports like Monmouth County Airport usually have airplane clubs or sightseeing guys that will take you up for a small fee.

I gave John a $100 cert at Monmouth for his B-Day.
That one flight started him on a 15 year saga of improved grades in HS, NAPS, USNA, USN Pilot.
Dad with great Wife and 2 great kids. Now a career with IBM.

 

[NightKnight]

Years ago I did the Vegas to Hoover Dam to Grand Canyon to Sedona and fly home from Pheonix. Did one night in Vegas, saw Penn & Teller got pulled up on stage. It was great. Did Hoover Dam pre-skyway, when you drove right over the dam. Cool, but only for an hour or so. Grand Canyon is the most soul stirring sight I've ever seen. Amazing. We camped in the Canyon for 4 nights. I think you could spend a two weeks there and not get bored. Bring tons of water or die. Sedonna? Okay. Cool rocks and colors, but I'm not into harmonic reasonance. Pheonix, is just another big city surrounded by dessert golf courses that are not my favorite. If it is 10 day or less trip, I'd ditch Sedonna and Lake Havasu. That's a lot of driving cooped up with the family.

Not much to interest teenage boys in Sedona. On the other hand Lake Havasu might be OVER STIMULATING for teenage boys. Especially on summer weekends, it is a young people party spot.

 

[fsg2_rivals]

Don't think it was mentioned but Sedona's Slide Rock State Park has natural water slides. Never been but on my list for next trip. Also a lot of cliff jumping and swimming holes around. Chilling at a river beach in red rock country is a great way to spend a recovery day. This list seems pretty good:

https://www.freshoffthegrid.com/a-guide-to-sedona-swimming-holes/

 

[RUforester72]

Don't think it was mentioned but Sedona's Slide Rock State Park has natural water slides. Never been but on my list for next trip. Also a lot of cliff jumping and swimming holes around. Chilling at a river beach in red rock country is a great way to spend a recovery day. This list seems pretty good:

https://www.freshoffthegrid.com/a-guide-to-sedona-swimming-holes/

As crowded as the Jersey Shore with Phoenicians. And Slide Rock often gets closed due to E. Coli count in the water.

 

[Knight Shift]

As crowded as the Jersey Shore with Phoenicians. And Slide Rock often gets closed due to E. Coli count in the water.

We have had a difficult time getting into Slide Rock the last couple of years. We discovered "The Crack" at Wet Beaver Creek. Nice thing about The Crack is that it is a 3.5 mile hike to get there, and many people are not willing to walk that far. It is well worth the hike.
In your time in Flag, did you ever go into the lava tubes? Nice thing to do on a hot summer day.
When we visited Flag in May, many places were closed due to covid- tried to hike around the San Francisco peaks, an it was no go. We hiked up slate mountain trail, which offered some great views.

 

[fsg2_rivals]

We have had a difficult time getting into Slide Rock the last couple of years. We discovered "The Crack" at Wet Beaver Creek. Nice thing about The Crack is that it is a 3.5 mile hike to get there, and many people are not willing to walk that far. It is well worth the hike.
In your time in Flag, did you ever go into the lava tubes? Nice thing to do on a hot summer day.
When we visited Flag in May, many places were closed due to covid- tried to hike around the San Francisco peaks, an it was no go. We hiked up slate mountain trail, which offered some great views.

Wow, great suggestion!

Off the list I already posted.