Sedona and the Grand Canyon

Destination: Phoenix, Arizona

| Activities: Hiking

Arizona's canyon country is justly famous. From the cliff side dwellings of an ancient pueblo people, and the colorful chasm known as the Grand Canyon, to the red rocks of Sedona, it is a never-ending feast for the eyes. The best way to see it is on foot, and we'll combine lots of hiking with time to relax and absorb the beauty of the area as we explore these three very different areas. If you have been wanting a more intimate view of the area than most people ever get, please join us for seven days of hiking, eating, relaxing and laughing. Maximum group size: 12

Highlights

Explore the unique geological colors and formations of the Grand Canyon, revealing rock that is over a billion years old
Hike on a variety of spectacular trails
Take in magnificent views from the Desert View Watchtower designed by Mary Colter, architect of the Southwest
Visit the cliff side dwellings of an ancient pueblo society
Explore Sedona's red rock canyon country
Hike, eat, relax, repeat

Departures and Prices

April 18 to April 25, 2021

$2795.00 - Available

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Inclusions

1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
Seven nights double occupancy lodging
All meals from dinner Sunday to breakfast the following Sunday, except one lunch
Transportation during the trip, starting in Phoenix
All entry fees and permits

Not included: travel to and from Phoenix, alcoholic beverages, one lunch, guide gratuities, and travel insurance

Details

The trip requires some aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging, cross country skiing or stair stepping for 30 - 45 minutes at least 3 - 4 times a week. Additional endurance exercise may be suggested. There are typically 4 to 6 hours of daily activity.

This trip consists of canyon hiking and participants should anticipate significant gains and losses in elevation, in rocky terrain with steep drop offs. The trip is rated 3. While the overall mileage is not high, don't underestimate the heat, elevation changes, and the challenge of back-to-back trips into the Grand Canyon. Prior to beginning the trip, participants should be engaging in aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging, cross country skiing or stair stepping for 30 - 45 minutes at least 3 - 4 times a week. Rating: 1 2 [3] 4 5.

On this trip we'll hike in three distinctly different landscapes of Arizona. Hiking in the Ponderosa Pine forests of Flagstaff will acclimate us to the elevation as Flagstaff and the south rim of the Grand Canyon are at approximately 7,000 ft. The trails we'll be hiking in the Grand Canyon have significant elevation gain and loss, and in some areas are unmaintained. Sedona will provide well maintained trails, with lots of stair stepping in some areas, where you can enjoy unobstructed views of the spectacular red rock formations for which the Sedona area and Oak Creek Canyon are famous.

We'll spend the first two nights in recently renovated rooms at the Little America in Flagstaff. We'll then spend two nights in the Grand Canyon National Park at the south rim's Maswik Lodge. As with many lodges in National Parks, these rooms are a little bit dated but the location can't be beat. We'll be within walking distance of the canyon rim. We spend our final three nights at the Inn of Sedona with an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, a free in town shuttle, and views of the Sedona landscape. All lodging will have double occupancy rooms and bathrooms ensuite.

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Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

We begin our day at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, where we'll all meet by 2:00 pm. After packing our gear we'll head north, about 2.5 hours, to Flagstaff Arizona, taking in glimpses of saguaro cactus, prickly pear, and Humphreys Peak along the way. We'll settle into our lodging, surrounded by ponderosa pine, and enjoy our first dinner together. (D)

DAY 2

We begin our day hiking along the western side of the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in the continental United States, exploring Fisher Point via Sandy's Canyon Trail. This is a 6 mile out and back, with an initial descent of 200 feet, a flat valley, and then a 400 foot up to reach the summit of Fisher Point before returning). Fisher Point offers good 360 views and unique rock formations. This afternoon we'll visit the Island Trail of Walnut Canyon National Monument. This was once a vital pueblo community, home to an ancient people the archeologists call Sinagua. Along the trail we can imagine life within Walnut Canyon as we pass 25 cliff dwelling rooms along the trail. Only a 1 mile round-trip hike, we'll descend 185 vertical feet into the canyon and return the same way. We'll end the day with a memorable dinner at an eclectic local restaurant downtown as we discuss our upcoming adventure in the Grand Canyon. (B,L,D)

DAY 3

Getting an early start, we head to the Grand Canyon this morning, about 1 hour and 40 minutes north of Flagstaff. Today we'll delve into the mining history of the Grand Canyon as we explore the Grandview Trail. This trail was originally constructed by Pete Berry who, with a small group of prospectors, found a large copper vein out on Horseshoe Mesa and founded the "Last Chance Mine". Pete and his wife, Martha, also opened the trail to early adventurers as they discovered tourism paid as well or better than mining. As we hike out to Coconino Saddle, we'll consider just how isolated their life must have been. While this is only a 2.2 mile round trip, don't let the mileage deceive you. Within 1.1 miles we'll have an elevation change of 1200 feet. This trail is steep and rocky, with several switchbacks, large rocks to negotiate, and some sections of cobblestoned rocks. the Trail will have quite a bit of exposure in some areas, though we'll soon get our "mountain goat" footing. In the afternoon we'll head to Mary Colter's Desert View Watchtower, an ideal location for a picnic dinner. Tonight we check into Maswik Lodge, home for the next two nights. (B,L,D)

DAY 4

Another early start, which will be our pattern as we take advantage of cooler morning temperatures. Today we'll head to the other end of the South Rim. Today's excursion will take us from Hermits Trail Head to Santa Maria Spring. The small hut at Santa Maria springs offers us a seat in the shade before we head back. Similar to the Grandview Trail, this is one of the best hikes on the south rim if you like to avoid the crowds - but ironically, that's not why the Hermit Trail was built. It was built to move people, pork chops, and bottles of Porto to Hermit Camp, a luxury campsite for tourists that predated Phantom Ranch by 10 years before shutting down in 1930. Either before or after the today's hike, we'll have an opportunity to see yet another of Mary Colter's architectural designs. Our hike today is 5 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 1760 feet. Not up for another climb into the canyon? Not a problem. An alternative to today's hike is a rim walk to Yavapai Point, approximately 2 miles one way or 4 miles round trip. (B,L,D)

DAY 5

After the last 3 days of hiking, we'll be glad to have some free time this morning to explore some of the other options the Canyon offers. Depending on your interests, you might choose to hike along the rim, attend one of the daily Ranger programs, visit the Visitor's Center and/or Yavapai Geology Museum, or perhaps just gaze at the canyon. After reconvening we'll load up the vans and head for Sedona, about a 2 hour drive. Here we'll have time to settle into our lodging and enjoy our first night in Sedona. (B,L,D)

DAY 6

Sedona, surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and pine forests is noted for its mild climate and vibrant arts community. Today we'll explore Red Rock country from the Brins Mesa trail. The trail begins right at the edge of Sedona and is as picturesque as it is convenient. This trail leads us right out into the open where we can enjoy unobstructed views of the spectacular red rock formations for which the Sedona area and Oak Creek Canyon are famous. The route we'll be following, including Soldier's Pass, is five miles with an elevation change of 600 feet and will include some areas of slickrock. (B,L,D)

DAY 7

Today is a free day to explore Sedona. For those interested, we'll start the day at the Airport Mesa Vortex, one of Sedona's famed energy vortexes. After re-charging our internal energy packs, we'll have an option to hike around Airport Mesa Loop. This hike is a 3.5 mile loop (with an optional one mile out-and back spur), offering more views of Sedona's iconic red rock formations. After, or instead of hiking, we can take full advantage of everything Sedona has to offer, from spa treatments, to art galleries, to shopping. Sedona is known for the variety of spa treatments on offer, and that plus some shopping might be just the way to relax after all the hiking you've done. Whatever you choose, we will meet for a delicious final dinner together. Overnight Sedona. (B,D)

DAY 8

After breakfast we sadly bid good-bye to canyon country as we drive back to Phoenix. The drive back to Phoenix is about a million miles and 2.5 hours away, and we will have you to the airport by 10:30 am for flights out any time after 12:00 noon. (B)

Trip Summary

Packing List

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "Did this trip meet your expectations?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

I was not expecting the difficulty level on the Greenbrier Trail and Hermits Rest trail in the Grand Canyon. I signed up for this trip with my friend because it was listed as a level 3 adventure. I think that rating may need to be revisited by AGC.