Foo - Grand Canyon

I'm traveling there on July 5th by car from Sedona. Should I fight the crowds at the South Rim or take the longer drive to the North Rim?

Any other good ideas for my visit there?

My personal opinion is that the South Rim has more spectacular views and worth battling the crowds. I took the family to the North rim two years ago and it was fun but I didn't think it was as nice. Since you are closer the the South, just go there.

Did I mention I hate crowds :rolleyes:

The south is better. I have been to both and I despise crowds.

I'll also see the Hoover if I take the southern route. I'll send some pics when I get back. Next Friday I leave on my 6,000 mi journey...

The hover-round will take you to the Grand Canyon, no problem.

Unless you're prepared for quite a bit of off-roading, my understanding is that you really don't have much a choice but to go to the South Rim.

Did I mention I hate crowds :rolleyes:
I hate people too and my trip to the GC was depressing because of all the tourons. They really need to tear up all the roads, visitors centre, and those damn cabins on the rims edge and make fat ass lazy people walk to the rim and beyond. :D

Having said that it is quite a site. I hiked to the North rim from the south but don't know what it's like beyond that. The south rim is very crowded and you really ought to go on a week day and as far away from a holiday as you can. There are other trails to go along besides the popular ones, you should seek those out too.

Unless you're prepared for quite a bit of off-roading, my understanding is that you really don't have much a choice but to go to the South Rim.


Not exactly true. It all depends on how much exploring you want to do. There is a road(and then a short trail) that leads to the North Rim(Port Imperial and Cape Royal)and you can do some 4 wheeling to get better views at Point Sublime.

Go to Havasu Falls. It is a long hike but the falls are amazing. I swam behind the large falls and got on a rock ledge and dove under the falls. It shoots you out like a torpedo. One of the coolest things I have done! Plus it make for some great pictures. I also hiked the Grand Canyon but Havasu was better. http://www.havasufalls.net/

Stay away from the road access view points and you will have few crowds at the SR.

There are near flat rim edge unpaved walking paths that won't have many folks on them, you can go for several miles I think.

Or decend a bit down one of the trails. I assume, you being a cyclist, are in somewhat decent shape and can manage the climb back up.

Al

Or decend a bit down one of the trails. I assume, you being a cyclist, are in somewhat decent shape and can manage the climb back up.

Al

It was the climb down that hurt me the most.

It was the climb down that hurt me the most.
It can be pounding, yes, and I find that since I gave up running in favor of cycling, my decending muscles have become weaker.

About 12yrs. ago I went for a backpack trip to GC - Two days after I had severe trouble going down stairs from soreness, but no problem going up. I've since been on similar backpack trips, but am in better shape now than I was then.

Al

You can definitely see more 'grand' views from the South Rim...the major North Rim point is at the Bright Angel North Rim Lodge. Although it is on the North Rim, and you can see a whole lot, it's more of a 'framed' view rather than the spectacular panorama available at the South Rim.

Try these guys - lots of them are located in the area.

http://forums.backpacker.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/852107219

And they're very nice about giving out knowledge.