Good morning to all ~ it’s 23 degrees and kinda gray outside as the Grand Canyon makes ready for President’s Day Weekend.  Typically a busy time, we’ll be greeting a lot of folks from Phoenix, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and other Western cities taking advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a long weekend away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.  For those of us who live here, this weekend usually serves as a “dress rehearsal” for what’s ahead: the spring break rush.  

As that sage philosopher Bob Dylan once said, “the times they are a-changin’” and that’s definitely been the case over the years with the Spring Break Holiday.  With Easter occuring on April 8th, and with many schools switching to year-round schedules, spring break rush at the Grand Canyon has been starting earlier and ending later than in years past.  We’ve helped many spring break travelers with their Grand Canyon hotel and tour reservations over the last few weeks, and the dates of their holidays are varying from early March to late April.  More alarmingly, though, we’ve also spoken to a lot of people who were surprised by this. 

So, at the risk of sounding redundant (I think this is the 3rd time we’ve discussed this subject), if you’re planning on visiting the Grand Canyon anytime soon, GET YOUR RESERVATIONS IN NOW!  Many a Grand Canyon vacation has been ruined by people who make the assumption that they don’t need reservations for a hotel room or for seats on a popular Grand Canyon tour. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen, and I don’t want it to happen to you, especially if you’ll be coming over from abroad.  I remember distinctly dealing with a very irate lady back in the late ‘80’s who was flabbergasted that she couldn’t get a room at the El Tovar when she showed up without reservations on a day in early March – her rationale for not booking ahead of time?  “It’s supposed to be the off-season!” 

Truth is, Grand Canyon National Park doesn’t really have much of an off-season any longer.  Gone are the days when the park would only be busy from Memorial Day through Labor Day and eerily quiet in fall and winter.  Nowadays, the park gets busy in March and stays busy until Thanksgiving.  We get a bit of a reprieve during the “dead of winter” months like December, January and February, but then again, holidays like Christmas, Martin Luther King day, and President’s Day are busy.  Once the spring break rush begins, we’re “off to the races” until November. 

A quick note about a popular travel route from Sedona, Arizona: a section of Highway 89A just South of Flagstaff was recently rendered unstable after a winter storm, so one lane of the highway is closed at the moment.  Traffic is “stop and go,” which can be a drag if  you’re in a  hurry to get to the canyon.  There is an alternate route you can take that will save you a bit of hassle and won’t add much to your drive time, and that is to take AZ-179 to Interstate 17, which you’d take to Flagstaff.  From there, you can choose to go up Highway 180 through the San Francisco Peaks, which joins with AZ-64 in Valle, or you can get on Interstate 40 to Williams and catch AZ-64 North from there.  For road conditions all over the state, visit www.az511.com

Good morning to all.  I remember a saying from who knows where (a Star Trek movie comes to mind, but don’t quote me on that…), the gist of which was “just because you can do a thing doesn’t necessarily mean you should.”  It applies beautifully to my topic today. 

One of the first things you need to do when planning a Grand Canyon vacation is to decide where your vacation will begin.  If you’re like most visitors to the area, you’ll probably choose to fly to the Southwest, and if so, chances are you’ll start your trip in either Phoenix, Arizona (PHX) or Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS). Both are about a 5 hour drive away from Grand Canyon South Rim and within close proximity of other attractions, such as Hoover Dam, that you could easily stop at along the way. 

I had maybe three separate phone conversations last week with parents (like you perhaps?) who were putting together a Grand Canyon vacation and considering Las Vegas as their starting point.  These folks were wanting an honest opinion as to whether Las Vegas was really a good place to bring their kids, and I had to warn them that they’d stumbled onto one of the most hotly debated issues among Las Vegas locals – I too could be risking life and limb bringing up the very subject of children in what was once considered an “adults only” destination. 

I guess this is the point where a bit of “backstory” is in order: in the late 1980’s/early ‘90’s, a monumental effort (and a large infusion of cash) was made to remake Las Vegas into a more family-friendly destination.  Themed hotels, parks and other attractions were built in an effort to attract more families to the city.  Circus Circus led the way, followed closely by the Mirage, Treasure Island, Excalibur and Luxor. 

As a result, many of the newer Las Vegas hotels feature attractions geared to families such as the Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay, a dolphin habitat and volcano at the Mirage, the pirate show at Treasure Island, rollercoasters at the Stratosphere, New York New York, Sahara and much more.  The Las Vegas Strip has literally turned into a zoo, with many animals (granted, the majority of which are not native to Nevada) occupying outlandish homes in this, the “other” city that never sleeps.  The kings of the “Neon” jungle reside in a specially-built habitat at the MGM Grand, where you might be able to catch them in action with their trainers; Siegfried & Roy’s famous white tigers are pampered 24/7 at the Mirage, or you can escape to a tropical island paradise with over 300 birds, including some rather well-known pink flamingos at – where else? – the Flamingo.  Oh, and Las Vegas does have its own actual zoo – the Southern Nevada Zoological and Botanical Park in North Las Vegas. 

All that said, it is up to you as a parent to make an informed choice as to whether you should bring your children to Las Vegas.  Among those who’ve “been there done that,” some will tell you to go for it; others will say “never again.”  Many Las Vegas locals will always assert that Las Vegas should have remained an adult-oriented destination, and if you want to see what they have to say, I would highly recommend visiting the Las Vegas forum on TripAdvisor.com (in fact, I recommend visiting that site to plan your whole trip). 

But what’s done is done, and I think the city is a lot more fun as a result!  It has been suggested by people in the area that winter time should be avoided if traveling with children since outdoor pools are typically closed.  Also, those under 21 are not allowed anywhere near a casino.  This is strictly (and sometimes rudely) enforced.  On the street, be prepared to ignore a lot of people handing out adult-oriented leaflets.  You’ll also need to be ready to shield little eyes from a lot of billboards featuring scantily-clad women in provacative poses.  Sorry folks, but that isn’t going away from the Las Vegas scene any time soon.  As Bruce Hornsby once said, “that’s just the way it is!” 

For some suggestions on child-appropriate activities in Las Vegas, visit www.lasvegaskids.net.  For some suggestions on Las Vegas hotels where you might want to stay, read this article on About.com giving the Top 10 picks of kid-friendly hotels in Las Vegas.  Oh, and while I’m at it, I would like to give a belated “Welcome” to a new member of our blogroll, “Mercurial Mike,” a Las Vegas insider and the author of an excellent blog called “What’s Happening, Vegas?”   Check it out for news, reviews, opinions, observations, updates and more – all about Las Vegas! 

And if you’d like more first-hand testimony, GrandCanyon.com’s associates visit Las Vegas regularly, so don’t hesitate to give us a call!  

Happy Travels,

Alley Kaye

P.S.  A Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour is a great experience for the whole family, and since most tours do not require any strenuous activity, young children and even seniors can enjoy them.  Some tours can even get you to the bottom of the canyon! 

“You’re doing what??….. And where??….. When?? ….. Are you okay??”  This is the common response I received when I told people I was going to snowshoe to the base of the San Francisco Peaks at the end of January. 

I know what you’re thinking, “Snowhoe, in Arizona??”. 

Contrary to popular belief Arizona is not just desert, Jackrabbits, and Saguaro Cacti.  Arizona has many different types of terrain to offer, one of them being high elevation mountains of Flagstaff; the San Francisco Peaks happen to be one of them. 

The San Francisco peaks consist of four main peaks; Humphrey’s (the tallest at 12,633), Agassiz (12,356), Fremont (11,969), and Doyle (11,460).  All four of these peaks used to be one mega peak that had its top completely blown off by some serious volcanic activity.  The subsequent result created a sort of bowl called the inner basin.  The Inner Basin is now surrounded by these four peaks. 

My friend Geoff and I departed from the parking lot at the head of Lockett Meadow road (which was closed due to snowfall).  It was not necessary to have snowshoes or cross country skis at the beginning because the snow was fairly packed.  We hiked the 3 miles in laden with 3 days worth of supplies on our backs including lots of hot drink mixes and tea bags, food, sleeping bags, a tent, a stove for melting snow, and anything else one would need for such a trip.  About a mile into the hike the snow became such that it required our handy dandy strap on devices, me with my snowshoes, and Geoff with his cross country skis. 

We continued to Lockett Meadow (about 2.5 miles just down the mountain from the inner basin) and upon arriving tried to determine where we would camp.  Lockett Meadow is a thriving place during the milder months of the year.  With toilet facilities, picnic tables and established campsites it is a very popular place for the locals to get away for a few days.  However, winter is a different story. 

We struggled to find the established campsites because the picnic tables were buried and hardly visible under the 3 or more feet of snow.   We did manage to find a site that was fairly protected by a large Pine Tree.  After establishing camp we went to the business of getting snow melted and hot fluids into our system.  Setting up camp and getting things situated took a fe w hours.  During that time a few of Geoff’s friends showed up and got themselves situated as well.  

The next day we snowshoed/skied up to the Inner Basin.  It was about 2.5 miles one way and was a truly serene and beautiful hike even in the cold, stark winter.  Upon reaching the Inner Basin it truly felt like we were in a huge bowl with four big peaks surrounding us.  Because of the sheer fact that its easier, coming down was a most enjoyable experience.  The quietness, beauty and solitude of the Peaks area in Winter is unmatched by anywhere I’ve ever been. 

The following day I hiked out of the wilderness and to my car with a new appreciation for the beauty and awesome chilling powers of nature.  A good time with good friends in a beautiful place was just what I needed.  Now I could return to the busy, hustle, bustle ways of society rejuvinated and ready to persevere.

Just a side note and disclaimer: If you are an ameteur in the arts of winter camping/backpacking do not attempt a trip like this, its best to come do it in milder weather first.

Sleeping in single digit and below zero temperatures is an art in and of itself.  Even bags rated below zero do not always yield warm and comfortable night in the sack.  A tip to remember when sleeping in such conditions is to have a good insulating sleeping pad under you.  The frozen ground will suck the heat right out of you quicker than anything.  When this happens you can dip down into lethal core body temperatures and allow hypothermia to set in without realizing it.  A good sleeping pad, or two, is paramount to utilizing your sleeping bag to its full potential.  Eat a lot right before bed, your body needs fuel to keep itself warm, cheese and other fatty type foods are great for this.  Those medical heat pads for sore muscles are great, stick one to your chest or stomach to keep your core body temperature warm.  30% of your body heat is lost through your head so a beanie or other type of head covering is essential while sleeping.  One thing that I like to do is put some boiling water in my Nalgene (it should be the clear hard plastic kind) and put the bottle in a large sock to protect you from getting burned, then just throw it in the bottom or your bag; if you do this your guaranteed toasty feet all night long.  These are just some tips that I’ve learned, there are many other things you can do to keep warm.  P roper research before heading out on a trip like this is very important and could make the trip much more comfortable, and maybe even save your life.

-Ron

P.S. Flagstaff is a great place to visit whether you’re hiking, or just using the city as a base camp for any one of the surrounding beauties (e.g. Grand Canyon, Sedona, or the numerous National Monuments).  So if you do come, put your feet up and stay awhile.

A few days ago I talked to a gentleman in a state of mild panic. When planning his Grand Canyon vacation for this weekend, he didn’t take into account the fact that he would be up here over (*gasp!*) Super Bowl Sunday!  So he was wondering should he cancel his vacation, and risk incurring a penalty for cancelling his hotel room?  Or should he just grin and bear it and watch the game on DVR when he got home?  Imagine his relief when I told him that yes, he could watch the Super Bowl up here, and you can too. 

Most (but not all) Grand Canyon hotel rooms have TV’s.  But if you’d prefer to cheer for your team alongside other sports fans from around the country (and the world!), there are several lounges where you can do that very thing.  During my 7 years living inside Grand Canyon National Park, my husband and I watched many a Super Bowl, NBA Playoff, and World Series game (Go Diamondbacks!!!) at the sports lounge at the sports bar at Xanterra South Rim’s Maswik Lodge.  This full-service bar has not one but seven TV’s.  You can also shoot pool and compare Grand Canyon trip notes with visitors from round the globe (international guests have been known to sit in just to watch the spectacle of it all).  The cafeteria next door makes great burgers and spaghetti, too. 

Those staying in Tusayan just outside the park can take a short walk to the Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn and duck into The Saguaro Lounge where you can enjoy a “cold one” along with tasty Southwestern appetizers, or maybe a pizza or some nachos while you watch the game.  If the rest of the family doesn’t share your enthusiasm for the gridiron, send ‘em down the hall to the Squire’s famous Family Fun Center for bowling or video games.  Across the street at the Grand Hotel, the Canyon Star Saloon has a couple of big screen TV’s that will no doubt be tuned in to all the action. 

If you’re staying in Flagstaff (home of Northern Arizona University) or Williams, these cities have many fine pubs and cocktail lounges that cater to sports fans.  Just ask your hotel front desk for recommendations, or consult the local newspaper.  For those of you who think being on vacation over Super Bowl Sunday is the ultimate nightmare, try this on for size: Super Bowl Sunday actually occurred on my honeymoon – so there!  The ‘49ers won, so it was all good.

So, have a happy weekend, and remember – DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!  There is NO need for it whatsoever.  If you’re staying inside the park, take the Grand Canyon Village Loop shuttle – it goes to all the hotels, restaurants and gift shops in the park, and best of all it’s FREE; if you’re staying in Tusayan, all the hotels are within walking distance of one another.  End of lecture, and end of entry! 

‘til next time, Happy Traveling! 

P.S.  This very question was actually answered in our Grand Canyon Winter Travel Guide.  Got a Grand Canyon travel question?  Download our brand new Grand Canyon Vacation Guide and get the answer right now!

…Boy, that’d take an awfully big pool cover!  Just playin.’  

Sorry, guys, but when folks ask “do you close up the Canyon at night?” one’s mind just tends to form these funny little pictures of two guys in gray overalls turning this huge crank….“OK, Bernie, let’s cover it up!”  Or…maybe it’s just MY mind that forms the funny pictures. 

Anyway, today’s question – which, by the way, is a perfectly legitimate question – is about the hours of operation of Grand Canyon National Park.  Grand Canyon South Rim is open year-round.  The entrance gates are staffed during the day by the rangers of the National Park Service, who collect your entrance fees, distribute park maps and guides, and answer your questions about the park.  They’re there during the daylight hours, which of course, vary with the season.  The actual park gates, though, are open 24/7, which means you can enter and exit the park any time of day or night.  Grand Canyon North Rim is only open for about 5–6 months a year (mid-May through mid-October, weather permitting), but during its season, same rules apply (rangers at the gate during daytime, gates open 24/7). 

So, for those of you not expecting to arrive at the park until late at night, you won’t be shut out… but you might get shot down IF you don’t have reservations for those Grand Canyon hotels.  Have you made yours yet?