Grand Canyon & Colorado

149oaks

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Want to bring 3 children - 16,14 &11 on a 2-3 day trek in the Grand Canyon and some White Water Rafting and Rock Climbing in the Rockies. Flying into Phoenix and driving up to fly out of Denver. Any ideas, websites etc?
 
You could try this book,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colorado-Ro...=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206664855&sr=1-2

We used a copy of this when we were in Colorado. Its a big place though and also depends on the time of year you are going what activities are available/best. We spent a week skiing in Aspen in December, but equally it would be a beautiful place to visit in the Summer and plenty of outdoor activities. There is reasonably priced accomodation available and eating out is no more expensive than anywhere else despite its reputation.

Probably if you post a few more details you will get some more useful replies.

R-
 
Great idea, I did this with some friends from Colorado back in the '80s and it was one of the most memorable treks I've ever undertaken. I was with an experienced outdoors guy and he had received permission to use a little known trail that he discovered in some old books. It was really tough going (my toenails fell off!!) but exhilirating and something I still think about to this day. I remember coming out after 4 days and reading that Reagan had bombed Gadaffi in Libya - welcome back to reality. After 4 days of dried food the hot shower, beer and a burger felt and tasted superb.

Anyway, if you are thinking of doing this then I would recommend trekking to the bottom and staying in Phantom Ranch, be sure to look at booking it now as it's very popular.

Have a great time.

Want to bring 3 children - 16,14 &11 on a 2-3 day trek in the Grand Canyon and some White Water Rafting and Rock Climbing in the Rockies. Flying into Phoenix and driving up to fly out of Denver. Any ideas, websites etc?
 
Thanks Guys
Replies have been pretty thin on the ground.
Plan is fly to Phoenix and maybe go to an Indian Reservation for a day or 2 first, want to give them a real feel of America - it's not all the big cities! Then as I said a 3 day trek in the Canyon area - we're not experienced so would need a group/guide etc. From here drive up through the Rockies and do some rafting and rock climbing for a few days - again no experience. End in Denver and flying back from there. I want to experience the outdoor America and not all the sugar candy stuff. Travelling in June.
 
Be aware that it's going to be extremely hot in Arizona that time of year (up to 45C) and while this is easily catered for with aircon, pools, misters etc in the cities you're on your own on the trails so be sure to take plenty of water and energy snacks when hiking even the shortest trails. If you are a novice hiker then I suggest the Bright Angel Trail and please PLAN PLAN PLAN before you start. Do your research ahead of time and you will enjoy all the more. The South Kaibab Trail is steeper but shorter so is also an option. If you are on a day hike then you do not need a permit but one is required for anything over a day. Book ahead as it gets very busy in the summer. There are also some fantastic drives along the rim of the canyon itself.

Worth a stop also is Sedona as it's on the way to the Grand Canyon on I-17 from Phoenix, famed for the beautiful red rocks and also close to the Montezuma Castle National Monument. A lot of trails here too (Eagle's Nest Trail) taking you up to Cathedral Rock and Twin Buttes.

Even in Phoenix itself you can hike and I would recommend South Mountain (biggest park in the USA) and/or Camelback Mountain; great for biking and horse riding also. I'm not sure about Indian reservations as people usually go there to gamble at the casinos rather than engage in any cultural activities. If you are interested in Indian culture then the Heard Musuem is a must-see. Another great trail to drive is the Apache Trail, super for sight-seeing and perfect for a day trip.

One of the main newspapers is the Arizona Republic and you can read it online at www.azcentral.com ; it's got a bunch of useful information; I'm just acratching the surface here. I went to live there for 6 months in 1984 and ended up spending about 7 years of my life there. It's a fabulous place if you enjoy the outdoors and difficult to leave when it gets into your blood.

Have a great trip.
Thanks Guys
Replies have been pretty thin on the ground.
Plan is fly to Phoenix and maybe go to an Indian Reservation for a day or 2 first, want to give them a real feel of America - it's not all the big cities! Then as I said a 3 day trek in the Canyon area - we're not experienced so would need a group/guide etc. From here drive up through the Rockies and do some rafting and rock climbing for a few days - again no experience. End in Denver and flying back from there. I want to experience the outdoor America and not all the sugar candy stuff. Travelling in June.
 
Lucky you!

I went on a trip on the Colorado part of which was through the Canyon, it was amazing, you can get details of many of their trips on their site www.westernriver.com, it was pretty expensive though as I remember, there is a State Tourism Board site also www.colorado.com it will give you details on many of the options you will have during the time of your trip.

Have a blast!
 
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