Road-trip to Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Sedona, with moderate hikes

Location: Grand Canyon National Park

Address: 20 South Entrance Road, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Date: 4 Apr

Let's visit Grand Canyon National Park when it's already sunny and warm but the park is not very crowded yet. We want to go down hiking by Bright Angel trail one day and South Kaibab Trail on the other, providing the trails' conditions are ok. Hiking these trails can qualify as moderate or strenuous activity depending on the trail's destination points, we would reach. We aim to do the moderate part of a trail, but this can be modified depending on the group's preparedness. For sure we will drive the scenic Desert View Drive and stop at many vistas to appreciate this natural wonder!

On the first day (which is a road-trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon village) there will be stops at Hoover Dam, a ghost town, authentic towns of Kingman and Seligman, the beginning of Route 66.

On the last day of the event, we will scenically drive to and stop at enchanting Sedona to hike the amazing surrounding areas - Cathedral Rock and/or Devils Bridge trails - and to explore the town's unique atmosphere.

Trip's summary:

• 5days/4nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.
• Starting point is Las Vegas airport (LAS), NV, and ending point is Phoenix airport (PHX), AZ,
• Hotel accommodation in Grand Canyon, AZ, Sedona, AZ. All locations in this event follow safety requirements by the state.
• Level of activities: Easy to Moderate.

In the park we will hike Bright Angel trail and South Kaibab Trail. Hiking these two trails can qualify as moderate or strenuous depending on the destination points of the trails. We aim to do moderate hikes. But can adjust depending on the group preparedness. On the last day of the event, we will scenically drive to and stop at Sedona and explore its unique atmosphere.

Clothes and gear recommended:

• good hiking boots,
• warm winter jacket, be ready to layer up,
• hiking poles if you used to them,
• consider hydration bladder for hikes,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen,
• hat,
• for personal protection: mask, carry-on sanitizer, gloves (by your choice.)

Weather: Though winter winds are still a possibility in the area at this time, it's often sunny there, little snow still, and 48-52°F daily is good hiking temperature. Weather forecast to check on: http://bit.ly/2LJUbJ8

Cost $710 per person (could be finalized/go down no more than one months before the event, based on services price changes, like gas and others.) What will be included:

• 5days/4nights stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two beds in room) - three nights at Red Feather Motel in Grand Canyon Village and one night at Muyawki Inn in Sedona,
• Transportation by minivan (like Ford Transit Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan or similar) covering approx. 650+ mi of road-tripping total,
• Park entrance fees,
• Organized hikes in all days.

What is NOT included:

• Getting to Las Vegas and returning from Phoenix, AZ,
• Meals, snacks, water,
• any individually charged fees such as access and admission fees to attractions.

Sunrise: 7:30am. Sunset: 5:30pm. Every day we want to start off from the hotel at 7am or 7:30am as the latest. If you are a night owl, please try to adjust yourself for an earlier getup during the trip - the purpose of it is to use more of daylight for activities.

Photo-album from the previous trip with a similar itinerary and activities:

https://www.meetup.com/u-s-national-parks-quest-group/photos/31294979/

Please sign up and feel free to contact the organizer with any questions!

If you see that the event is full/no tickets available, do not hesitate to contact the organizer about your interest as spots can become available.

Also, please check on the photo-album from our past trips (in About section) and our future trips to U.S. National Parks and National Parks in Europe and Asia for 2024-2025. Thanks!

ATTN. There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to connect by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the chat.) Regular messaging will not work out for this trip, sorry.

ATTN. The $10 payment through Eventbrite is for reserving a spot in this small group event (it counts in toward the whole payment for the trip.) After you reserved your spot, you will be contacted by the organizer about a Zoom meeting with the group and joining a WhatsApp group chat. Meeting your future groupmates in a Zoom and being able to communicate by WhatsApp are mandatory steps to become a part of this trip and make the full payment. If any of these cannot be done/mind changed, the $10 reservation payment will be refunded in full though the initial means of payment, minus fees paid to Eventbrite/third parties. The outline of the trip will be communicated during a Zoom meeting and in WhatsApp group chat. The detailed, hour-by-hour, itinerary will be provided to the confirmed participants of the trip.