Flagstaff/Grand Canyon

Or you could go to Grand Falls - on the Navajo Rez east of Flag. Most people in the area never heard of it (even stopped at a store on the reservation and only one person in there heard of it out of about 15).

It is - from top to bottom - higher than Niagara and it is wider than Niagara. It is spectacular.

But the falls are only there when the river is running after a storm or snow melt.

The road, actually an Indian hwy goes right across the river bottom most of the time as it is dry river bed. When flowing, you have to turn around and go back.

We went there right after we left being snowed in at the Grand Canyon; drove up from Sedona.

Amazing. I want to go back but not sure how to time it perfectly again!

You can see images I took of it at www.LaurenBarbara.com Wanderings link on left and then Arizona and Grand Falls. It is also known as The Chocolate Falls and you will see why.

In the same area of the website you can see my images of the Grand Canyon - even my winter shots which I love and kinda shows what can happen at times. Also another link to the Grand Canyon not in winter.

And, if you are interested in Monument Valley - which we also love - you can see photos of that as well.

I have put together an 8 minute youtube video of the Grand Canyon - half in good weather and half in the snow. Music by Enya and Bill Douglas. When you want the 8 minutes of quiet time to enjoy, go to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY3j9G1g4sw

These are wonderful places not to hurry through just to say you have been there.

If at all possible drive up to Monument Valley, nice drive and one of the best places I have ever visited.
I have been to the Grand Canyon a couple of times and the first time didn't take the trip to Monument Valley after the fact wished I had, made it the second time.

Only one think beats the canyon on a beautiful sunset evening and that is a beautiful sunrise morning!

Or is it the other way around?
Hmmm

JnJnKatiebug wrote:
That was a joke.

Sorry. But there are lots of people who do the Clark.

If you want to stay in Flagstaff, do consider Bonito National Forest Campground at the entrance to Sunset Crater Nat'l Monument. It's a favorite place of ours - flush toilets, paved sites but no water fill or dump so come prepared. It's a lovely spot and is just north of Flagstaff on Hwy 89. Take the Sunset Crater loop drive with some awesome Indian ruins to visit.

From there head further north on 89 and pick up Hwy 64 west which will take you to Grand Canyon a scenic route. Since you're short on time and it sounds like you would be satisfied with a day at Grand Canyon, and that's fine. You can always come back for more. At the Canyon, park your car and hop on the free shuttle bus to tour the Rim. You can get on and off wherever and whenever you want. Do stroll the Rim Trail enroute. It's easy paved walking with great views of the Canyon.

Near the intersection of 89/64 stop at Cameron Trading Post for awesome Indian Tacos and a very high quality gift shop.

Walnut Canyon Nat'l Mon. is a little east of Flagstaff. South of Flagstaff in the Morman Lake area which is a nice scenic drive. Southeast you could do a day trip to Sedona via Hwy 89. Also, like you stated, just doing some Jeepin' around Flagstaff will give you some nice views, especially if you get up the mountain. Your three days will go by fast. Have a good one!

The light will not change hardly at all during early / mid morning til mid / late afternoon.

I have shot several thousand images there early morning and evening from the same spot and all a little different.

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:

JnJnKatiebug wrote:
what do you do at the Grand Canyon except give it the Clark Griswald double head nod?

Watch how the clouds and changing time of day transform the canyon.

A sunrise canyon looks very different from a sunset canyon.

The rim tour out to the east is as nice easy way to really see as you pass down the road. Driving is distracting - you miss too much.

At that time of year the west road is closed to private vehicles, so a bus in the only way to visit. Either the shuttle or a tour lets you really enjoy. You can get off the shuttle - walk part of the rim trail, and get back on.

Our last trip was five days, and still not enough to really enjoy all the changes of mood and view at the canyon.

Now my sister and brother-in-law went last summer - 30 minutes and he was done. She didn't think much of it, but she has gone through the canyon in a float trip about 20 years ago.

Different things for different folks.

EDIT - In Flagstaff, I really like Walnut Canyon National Monument. If the trails are open, you get to walk down about 1/4 of the canyon, and around an 'island' that projects out into the canyon. A few hundred feet above the canyon floor. See where the Native Americans used to live in protection from predators (two and four legged).

It is about 2 - 3 hours.

That was a joke. I know there are a lot of things to do. We plan on spending the day there. Hope to take some short hikes and take pictures as the light changes.

We have been there several times and stay 4 - 7 days.

If you want to SAY you have been to the Grand Canyon then the Clark will do just fine. If you want to say you have SEEN the Grand Canyon you need days, even weeks - more than once. Sunrises and sunsets are when the beauty is - seeing it midday with a Clark is a waste of time; long boring drive from Flag for that.

See www.LaurenBarbara.com Wanderings Arizona Grand Canyon

You can go to the same place there time after time and it is never exactly the same.

We enjoyed hiking the West Rim Trail (about a mile and a half of it) and also a couple of short hikes on the East Rim around Watchtower. Our blog entry for that stay is located here and has quite a few pictures.

JnJnKatiebug wrote:
what do you do at the Grand Canyon except give it the Clark Griswald double head nod?

Watch how the clouds and changing time of day transform the canyon.

A sunrise canyon looks very different from a sunset canyon.

The rim tour out to the east is as nice easy way to really see as you pass down the road. Driving is distracting - you miss too much.

At that time of year the west road is closed to private vehicles, so a bus in the only way to visit. Either the shuttle or a tour lets you really enjoy. You can get off the shuttle - walk part of the rim trail, and get back on.

Our last trip was five days, and still not enough to really enjoy all the changes of mood and view at the canyon.

Now my sister and brother-in-law went last summer - 30 minutes and he was done. She didn't think much of it, but she has gone through the canyon in a float trip about 20 years ago.

Different things for different folks.

EDIT - In Flagstaff, I really like Walnut Canyon National Monument. If the trails are open, you get to walk down about 1/4 of the canyon, and around an 'island' that projects out into the canyon. A few hundred feet above the canyon floor. See where the Native Americans used to live in protection from predators (two and four legged).

It is about 2 - 3 hours.