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BEST OF THE WEST; GRAND CANYON XII 2022 ARCHIVE

CANYON TREKKERS TO-DO LIST 

All in all, we had two tours with great fun and experiences.  Those that hiked the inner Canyon have a lifetime memory to cherish.  Every day was filled with something to remember well.  Glad to have trained hard for a safe and successful hike.

Coach said, "this is serious sh--!"  Woman Dies


PHOTOS

2022 TRIP DESCRIPTION & PHOTO GALLERY

TWO 10 DAY TOURS:

SEP 16-25 & SEP 28-OCT 7, 2022

$2,195 D/O   $2,575 S/O (no roommate)

FEB 21, 2022 Trip opened for assignments.

(NOTE: Trip price is the same per day as 5 years ago!)


The photo gallery below and interactive itinerary.  and YouTube Videos


NOTE:  REAL ID  (enhanced driver license required to fly in 2023)


ITINERARY UPDATES:  MAY 19 - JUN 27 - JUL 26 - AUG 20

GC XII TRIP 1 ITINERARY 26JUL2022 (pdf)Download
GC XII TRIP 2 ITINERARY 2022 - 20AUG2022 (pdf)Download
2022 GRAND CANYON XII Trip Description & Flier (pdf)Download
CAIRN STONE ADVENTURE - WAIVER - 2022 (pdf)Download
Trip Cancellation Refund Dates - GC XII 2022 (pdf)Download

GRAND CANYON PHOTOS

Coach Gunn and Cairn Stone vet Rob Riley admiring the South Rim view.

    GRAND CANYON XII ITINERARY

    DAY 1

    Coral Pink dunes

    DEPARTURE: Bus from Niles, MI to Chicago, fly to Las Vegas.  In-n-Out burgers stop.  Hike at Snow Canyon State Park on our way to Kanab, Utah (one-time Western movie capital).

    (see CURRENT ITINERARY for Niles departure time)

    SNOW CANYON HIKES

    DAY 2

    Buckskin Gulch slot canyon

    Morning hike at Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon and an optional afternoon hike at Squaw Trail.

    Afternoon and evening exploring this Western Movie Kodachrome city that was once called Little Hollywood.


    NOTE: The button below will take you to information and photos of the Gulch by a tour company (not the one we are using).  The descriptions and photos are for your inspiration. (WAIVER REQUIRED)

    BUCKSKIN GULCH

    DAY 3

    DAY 3

    Bright Angel Point

    Travel to North Rim Village.  Lunch in Grand Lodge, Deli or General Store.  Hikes: Bright Angel Point and/or Transept Trail.  Dinner in the Grand Lodge.  Check out the Roughrider Saloon for beer and pizza in the evening and for coffee and a breakfast roll in the morning.

    [UPDATE: Due to fewer tables (Covid) and reduced staff in the Grand Lodge all dining reservations are taken for 2022]

    NORTH RIM

    DAY 4

    DAY 3

    View from Widforss Trail

    Note: The Roughrider Saloon is a great coffee & breakfast bar in the morning.

    HIKES: Widforss Trail or Uncle Jim's Trail.  Lunch on the trail.  Enjoy another evening and meal in the Grand Lodge.

    NORTH RIM HISTORY

    DAY 5

    View of Jacob's Ladder on Bright Angel Trail from Trailview Overlook.

    Depart for South Rim Village with a rest stop at Navaho Bridge where we cross the Colorado River at Marble Canyon.  HIKES:  Bright Angel to Trailview Overlook.  Lodging in Tusayan (just 6 miles from the park).  Evening exploring and enjoying a fine meal in Tusayan.

    SOUTH RIM HISTORY

    DAY 6

    View at Ooh Aah Point.

    South Rim breakfast; Suggest at the El Tovar.  HIKES:  South Rim Half Marathon (Hermet's Rest to South Kaibab Trailhead).  Free Park shuttles to the start and from the finish.  See Coach for other hike options.  Trail lunch or on South Rim.   Several great choices for lunch and dinner in Canyon Village.

    OOH AAH POINT

    DAY 7

    View from Cedar Ridge.

    Breakfast in the South Rim village; Suggest at the Yavapai Lodge.  Great shopping at the nearby General Store.  HIKES: West Rim Trail to South Kaibab Trailhead down to Ooh Aah Point or Cedar Ridge.  Rehydrate in the village or in Tusayan.  (The Tusayan Park shuttle should be running by then)

    HIKE TO CEDAR RIDGE

    DAY 8

    Tom's Thumb

    Breakfast in Tusayan.  Depart to Tempe, Arizona.  Lunch stop in famous Mill Avenue District.  

    HIKE:  Sonora Preserve Tom's Thumb hike to the lookout.  Evening exploring the Mill Avenue District full of great shops, brewpubs and restaurants.

    MILL AVENUE HISTORY

    DAY 9

    Piestewa Peak overlooking Phoenix area.

    VICTORY BREAKFAST in Sun Devil Room in our hotel.  

    HIKE: Piestewa Peak Summit Trail.  Trail lunch.  

    OPTIONAL: Desert Botanical Garden and Chihuly in the Desert exhibition and very cool restaurant.  OR enjoy the Mill Avenue District, hike up Tempe Butte (aka Hayden Butte or A Mountain) or stroll down to Tempe Town Lake.

    CHIHULY IN THE DESERT

    DAY 10

    DAY 10

    Chihuly glass art

    Breakfast in our hotel or nearby.  9:15am departure to Phoenix airport to fly back to Chicago.  Arrive back to Niles, Michigan at 10:30pm.

    RIM2RIVER2RIM VIDEO FYI

    SNEAK PEAK VIDEOS

    SOUTH RIM CANYON VILLAGE

    N RIM - 10 THINGS TO KNOW

    N RIM - 10 THINGS TO KNOW

    A look at what's available in Canyon Village to have an informed visit.

    S RIM CANYON VILLAGE

    N RIM - 10 THINGS TO KNOW

    N RIM - 10 THINGS TO KNOW

    N RIM - 10 THINGS TO KNOW

    Just to inspire and inform you about the North Rim.  Coach has selected the best hikes for our itinerary.

    NORTH RIM

    N TO S RIM DAY HIKE

    N RIM - 10 THINGS TO KNOW

    N TO S RIM DAY HIKE

    NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE PARK DEPARTMENT.  3 guys train for 4 months and hike North to South Rim in a day hike.  Not to promote this but to present the views along the way.

    N TO S RIM HIKE

    RIM-RIVER-RIM HIKE

    RIM-RIVER-RIM HIKE

    N TO S RIM DAY HIKE

    THIS HIKE IS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE PARK DEPARTMENT.  This HikingGuy video is a warning for the underprepared and shows the incredible views available on this hike.

    HIKING GUY VIDEO

    BUCKSKIN GULTCH

    RIM-RIVER-RIM HIKE

    BUCKSKIN GULTCH

    A short video of views in Buckskin Gultch slot canyon near Kanab, Utah.

    BUCKSKIN GULTCH

    HERMITS TRAIL

    RIM-RIVER-RIM HIKE

    BUCKSKIN GULTCH

    A below Rim option at the South Rim for a below Rim experience.  It's an option to consider while exploring the South Rim.

    (Another HikingGuy video)

    DRIPPING SPRINGS HIKE

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