We’ll meet in Flagstaff and immediately transfer to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for Day 1. We’ll hike the West Rim Trail that passes places like Hermit’s Rest, The Abyss, Hopi Point, and more. With all the views deep into the canyon, our anticipation to experience inside the canyon will build as we explore all the rim has to offer. We spend the night at Maswick Lodge, a newly remodeled fixture on the south rim. We’ll have a chance to watch the sun set behind the rim, throwing unbelievable colors across the layers of time visible as we gaze into the canyon, before our elegant dinner at El Tovar restaurant.
Day 2 will start early for a descent into the middle of the canyon. We follow the Bright Angel Trail down to Havasupai Gardens – an oasis on the Tonto Plateau. After a lovely picnic at the campground, we return to the rim. Be aware that the trip back up will take about twice as long as the descent.
On Day 3 we work our way around to the north rim, which is an all day drive including several stops. We start the journey on Desert View Drive with short stops at the Tusayan Ruin Museum and the Desert View Tower. We will drive through Navajo Nation Land with a stop at the famous Cameron Trading Post, then continue to the Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River where we can see the California Condors owning the sky. Nearby is a short but exciting trail into Cathedral Slot Canyon. After the hike, we continue on the north side of the canyon to return to National Park land and our overnight at the North Rim Lodge.
We have Day 4 to explore the North Rim – so different from the south. We hike the Ken Patrick Trail and the Uncle Jim loop for a completely new perspective on the canyon. Another night at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim will be our adieu to the Grand Canyon.
Day 5 we head farther north to Zion National Park for an afternoon walk in The Narrows of the Virgin River. We’ll wade through the shallow river bed upstream at least far enough to sense the awesome beauty of this narrow corridor through which the Virgin flows.
The Zion experience requires a visit to fabled Angels Landing and that’s our plan on our final Day 6. It is a true experience and one you will remember for a long time, as we balance on the narrow fin that provides the iconic views of the Zion Valley. After a final lunch in the area, we’ll then shuttle to Las Vegas where our Grand Canyon and Zion HIking Tour concludes.
