Grand Canyon Trip
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 969
Likes: 2
From: Canmore, AB
We did the South Side Oct a few years back, it is very beautiful, extremely touristy. D/H loves to hike, we parked our bike in the main lot, locked everything up, used the bus to the end of the line and we hiked all the way back. To be honest, by time we were done I was DONE with the Big Ditch!! Thank God he didn't get it into his head to arrange the long hike to the bottom. Take running shoes and prepare to lock your helmets etc.
Last year we did the Four Corners and the North Side. It was lovely. More riding and much shorter Hikes! Enjoy. You will soon realize there is just too much to see, you will be back for more another time.
Last year we did the Four Corners and the North Side. It was lovely. More riding and much shorter Hikes! Enjoy. You will soon realize there is just too much to see, you will be back for more another time.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Aurora CO
KC I'll throw in a little side trip for you. Depending on which way you run I 70, take the Mt Evans road which runs from Idaho Springs to Evergreen. You can jump right back on I 70 from either town. Beautiful ride and my favorite day trip from here. Also avoid I 70 between Vail and Denver on a weekend. It's a fustercluck!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, UT. Dushore, Pa.
Just saw on TV that major construction is starting soon in Zion and expect up to 3 hr. wait. I like the So. Rim as you can actually see the river. The Black Canyon of Gunnison, CO. is almost as great.
http://www.nps.gov/zion/parkmgmt/road-construction.htm
http://www.nps.gov/zion/parkmgmt/road-construction.htm
Last edited by gmc; May 3, 2010 at 01:35 PM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
What kind of "3 hour wait?"
I will be traveling through there in June. Do you mean 3 hours to get into the park? Isn't that something that should be avoided on an air cooled bike?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
To experience the majesty & beauty of the Grand Canyon area will take several days at the least. Every time a cloud rolls by the colors in the canyon change to a different hue and the beauty just keeps getting better & better. Try to experience both a sunrise & sunset tour while you are at the canyon. The town of Williams is also a good spot to visit, right before the train leaves town for the canyon... US 95 from Needles to Las Vegas was to me one of the top senic rides in America. Enjoy your trip! 
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 760
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
It would take a lifetime to see all of the canyon...if you go down in it. The problem with the canyon is that if you just go and see it from the rim it gets to be a little boring rather quickly. It's still breathtaking, though, and you have to see it...from both rims if possible.
The time of year to see it is sort of a toss up. It's getting hot on the South Rim right now, but I think it snowed this weekend on the North Rim. May, June, Sept, and Oct are probably your best bets.
The time of year to see it is sort of a toss up. It's getting hot on the South Rim right now, but I think it snowed this weekend on the North Rim. May, June, Sept, and Oct are probably your best bets.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 884
Likes: 26
From: Mesa, AZ
Thanks for the heads up - I always know I can count on learning something on this site -
http://www.nps.gov/zion/parkmgmt/road-construction.htm
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 4
From: Third Coast, South Texas
I live in Denver and I'd suggest when you get here instead of taking I 25 south (boring) take 285 south down through Alamosa and then southwest on Hwy 160 through South Fork, over Wolf Creek Pass, Pagosa Springs, Durango and then on to the four corners. Great mountain scenery and off the interstate. North Rim is a lot closer this way but I believe you have to travel quite a few miles around to get to the South Rim from there. Enjoy the new bike and the trip.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 4
From: Third Coast, South Texas
July 4th 2008, I camped at the north rim and the temp got down to 32f just before dawn. During the day it was pretty nice.