2004 Southwest Great Adventure
June 17-30, 2004
14 days, 13 nights
Hoover Dam * Havasu Falls * Grand Canyon
Bryce National Park * Zion National Park * Vegas
14 days, 13 nights
Hoover Dam * Havasu Falls * Grand Canyon
Bryce National Park * Zion National Park * Vegas
Video Highlights (15 minute run time)
Thursday June 17
Well, the gang is back together again, with a couple of additions this year. Our group is Pat, Pam, Durena, Deb, Kathy and me :). We decided on this trip two years ago! We met at Durena's at 5 am. Adam Forkner drove us all to the airport for a 7am flight to Vegas. We flew on Southwest and had a hilarious stewerdess who wisecracked the whole flight :)
We got our bags, rented the van and drove off. We stopped at Panera for lunch and then across the street to a Super Walmart for a cooler and diet coke (plus sunglasses for me, lost them already!). We continued on to Hoover Dam where we parked and explored. In the gift shop I found a hat that I was going to get for Danny that say "My Dam Hat" but then I decided I probably wouldn't want him wearing it :)
We continued on to our digs for the night, a Motel 6 in Kingman, Arizona (2.5 hours, 105 miles). The rooms were all new and it was super clean. We spent an hour at the pool and later ate at a diner called Mr. D's (burgers and salads, very good!). On the way back we stopped for bagels and spent the rest of the evening getting our packs organized for the morning. Got wake up calls for 5 am!
Friday, June 18
Leave Kingman early with a full tank of gas to drive the remaining 125 miles (estimated driving time is over 4 hours, local says about 2 hours) to Hualapai Hilltop (elevation 5200 ft), the starting point for the 8 mile walk to Supai (elevation 3200 ft). Overnight is reserved at the Havasu Lodge, Supai, AZ. There is a small grocery store and a café in the village (Note: take some snacks and plenty of water).
hike on the way down to Supai
rock formations protecting village
Havasu Lodge
village post office (mail by mule)Saturday, June 19
Visit the waterfalls of Havasu Creek. About 1.5 miles downstream from Supai is 75-foot high Navajo Falls. Then comes spectacular 100-foot high Havasu Falls. These are the “calendar photo” falls. They plunge into a turquoise-colored pool rimmed by travertine deposits. One mile below Havasu is Mooney Falls, dropping 196 feet into a colorful pool. Return to Lodge when we’re ready. Have dinner on snacks from the store or in the café. Overnight is reserved at Havasu Lodge.
Navajo Falls
Durena, Valerie, Kathy at Navajo Falls
Havasu Falls
Climb down to Mooney was harrowing!
Mooney Falls
at the bottom of Mooney FallsSunday, June 20
Begin early, preferably at daybreak, so we can get the 8 mile uphill walk to Hualapai Hilltop behind us before it gets too hot. Target leaving the parking lot no later than 2 pm so we can accomplish the 3-5 hour drive (depending on the route). We must check in at the transportation desk in the Bright Angel Lodge before 7:30 pm. Overnight in 2 reserved rim cabins at the Bright Angel Lodge. Grand Canyon Village has a well-stocked grocery and ATM.
hike back up to Hilltop
going the right way!
made it!Monday, June 21
Get up early, coffee in the Bar (opens at 5:30 am) and catch the 6 am shuttle to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Even if we walk slowly, take lots of breaks and photo ops, we’ll still probably arrive at Phantom before noon. Have lunch (which we carry down) in the canteen with ice water, lemonade or even beer! Loaf around until dinner. Overnight is reserved at Phantom Ranch, dinner included. (Note: order bag of ice tonight for water bottles tomorrow)
on our way down (South Kaibab Trail)
lookout on the way down (South Kaibab Trail)
overwhelming beauty!
refreshment at the bottom of the canyon!
outside girls bunkhouse at Phantom RanchAfter a 5 am breakfast, begin the walk up the Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim (six hours, maybe longer). Breakfast and sack lunch included. Overnight is reserved at Bright Angel Lodge. This allows each of us to ascend the well-traveled path at our own pace and to walk right into our rooms just steps from the end of the Bright Angel Trail. We’ll have the rest of the day and evening to enjoy the views from the rim, walk part of the rim trail, take the west rim shuttle, browse the shops, or whatever else we missed on Sunday. (Note, contact the BLM regarding the condition of The Wave. If it’s passable, cancel the 4 wheel drive).
back up the Bright Angel Trail
out of the sun in the rest hut
Rim Cabin at Bright Angel Lodge
View from Rim Cabin
Sunrise over the canyonWednesday, June 23
Leave early for the 3.5 hour drive to Page, Arizona, stopping en route at a few overlooks from East Rim Drive and then at Cameron Trading Post for a Navajo Taco. Pick up the rental vehicle upon arrival in Page (office closes at 6) and then report in for the 1:30 pm float trip on the Colorado (Lee’s Ferry). Page has grocery stores, ATM’s and a Laundromat. Overnight is reserved at the Motel 6 in Page, Arizona.
rollin' on the river (the mighty Colorado!)
what fun!
Twins!Thursday, June 24
Get another early start to hike to “The Wave” in Coyote Buttes North section of the Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area. We need to start early because this is a very hot, shade less, waterless 3.5 mile walk each way and we don’t want to be out here too late in the day. The books describe this walk as difficult and not for beginners, probably because it is mostly a route rather than a trail so you must be able to navigate. It is not a rigorous hike. The challenging part is a climb up, over and then along a slick rock ridge. The walk is often in soft sand (slow) or on relatively level slick rock making for easy walking. We will stay together every step of the way on this walk. Since it is off trail in a wilderness area where access is strictly controlled, there is much
more risk than on the longer walks that are on heavily traveled trails.. Back to Page, return the rental vehicle and spend the night at the reserved Motel 6. Perhaps use the Laundromat, buy snacks and sodas for the next several days. This evening, walk out to the Horseshoe Bend overlook which we will have experienced from below on our raft trip.
The Wave (Coyote Buttes)
looking down at Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend
birthday girl!
dinner in Page, ArizonaFriday, June 25
Make an early visit to Lower Antelope Canyon. This place becomes a furnace later in the day. If the group is interested, visit Upper Antelope Canyon. When finished in Page, drive the 4+ hours to Bryce Canyon National Park. Overnight reserved at Bryce Canyon Lodge.
Antelope Canyon
making our way through the slot canyon
on to Bryce Canyon and the lodge!Saturday, June 26
Day at leisure in Bryce. Hike along the rim or into the canyon, or ride horses into the canyon or along the rim. Take the shuttle to access the viewpoints too far away for walking. Watch the sunset from the rim. Overnight reserved at Bryce Canyon Lodge.
watching the sunrise
hiking
spectacular scenery (hoodoos)
ridin' the storm out
great visit to Bryce Canyon National ParkSunday, June 27
Drive approximately 85 miles (2.5 hours) to Zion National Park. Go into nearby Springdale, Utah, and arrange for rental of footgear and hiking sticks for tomorrow’s hike. Pick up supplies if necessary, although availability might be limited because the main grocery store in this Mormon village is closed on Sunday. Return to check in at Zion Canyon Lodge and perhaps hike to the Emerald Pools. If it isn’t too late or too hot, a walk up to Angel’s Landing might be fun. Overnight reserved at Zion Lodge.
Zion National ParkMonday, June 28
After an early breakfast (the lodge has a buffet which begins at 7 am), check out of the lodge and board the shuttle to the River Trail to begin hiking the Narrows of the Virgin River. It will be cool in the early morning and the water is cold so we need to carry jackets. Walk up river as far as we want. It will take less time to return as we’ll be walking with the current instead of against it. Shuttle back to the lodge and our car, return the rented gear in Springdale and drive about 4 hours to Las Vegas. Overnight is reserved at The Luxor, Las Vegas.
Hiking the River Narrows
river bootsTuesday, June 29
Day at leisure in Las Vegas. Visit the behemoth hotels on the strip, eat at the infamous buffets, take in some hotel attractions, see the shopping areas at Caesars, the Venetian, etc.., and perhaps take in a show in the evening. Overnight reserved at the Luxor.
The Luxor
comedy showWednesday, June 30
Day in Vegas, 5:20 pm flight to Indy, arrive around 11 pm.
