Need Advice: Coming to Arizona

[lancelyons1234]

Hi, My son and I will be in Phoenix from April 16-23 for a Sun-Tues sporting event. We are trying to figure out the best things to see.

we have Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday and Thursday.

Thinking about going up to Sedona on Tuesday and checking out things there

Want to also make the south rim of the grand canyon and perhaps antelope canyon.

Looking for suggestions on what to see.

I think we definitely want to include Sedona and the south rim for sure.

What should we see in Sedona, How about views along the way? Short hikes to spectacular views along the way.

any advise is appreciated.

[nonot]

@lancelyons1234
Based on what you've described you want to do, I doubt you'll have time to do any hiking, as you'll likely be spending all your time driving, waiting in lines, or in shuttles.

Spectacular views exist everywhere in the Grand Canyon and in Sedona with no hiking required.

[joebartels]

@lancelyons1234
Midweek, you can probably get into the Bell Rock Trailhead.
[ Courthouse Butte Loop Trail ] is busy, but that's because it's pretty damn cool and not difficult.
From the same trailhead, [ Bell Rock ] is iconic but it's not for young kids and some might consider it terrifyingly steep.

[ Cathedral Rock Trail #170 - Sedona ] is the major draw but snagging a parking space is possibly impossible.

Any short Grand Canyon day hike is worthy and likely ridiculously crowded.

[lancelyons1234]

@nonot
Thanks. You are correct. We dont have alot of time and a large part is driving. Its definitely not a hiking trip but a Arizona Sight Seeing trip.

I still want to make sure I am driving and seeing the right things.

I dont mind a .5 - 1.5 mile hike to see something really kool and if its along the way that I am traveling (sedona, south rim to antelope canyon) I would not mind a short detour to see something very kool.

[lancelyons1234]

@joebartels
Thanks Joe, Thats perfect. Course Butte Loop and Cathedral rock sound perfect and things to see in Sedona.

Are there any shorter (.5 - 2 mile hikes in the south rim that are MUST DOs)

[LindaAnn]

Maybe Shoshone Point at the South Rim? Easy trail, great views at the end, about 2 miles round trip.

[ Shoshone Point Trail ]

[joebartels]

Shoshone looks impossible to beat it you do not want to go a quarter mile down a rim trail and prefer a dirt trail.
I enjoyed arbitrary miles on [ Rim Trail - GC South Rim ] from Bright Angel Trailhead then east but most here would rather die than admit they stepped foot on it.

A few more Sedona options
[ 38 Sedona Hikes - Under 2 Miles :: map ]

[Jim]

I third Shoshone Point, just be aware that the NPS rents it for weddings. It's a very nice semi-isolated and easily accessible view point. Other ones also exist east of Yaki point, which can be accessed from the Shuttle Bus from the visitor center. The same bus used for the South Kaibab.

I also second the Rim Trail. I'm not one of the ones Joe mentions, and I actually think the Rim Trail is a very nice hike. Even the paved parts offer a lot.

Make sure the east entrance to the park is open, if you intend to use it.

Sedona can be enjoyed from the dashboard, if need be.

[KwaiChang]

@lancelyons1234
Doe Mountain in Sedona. Unlike the name it isn't a mountain but a short easy hike up to a good sized mesa. You can spend as little or as long as you like on the mesa while being able to see 360 degrees the entire way around......check out any of the triplogs