Travel Forum / Destinations / USA and Canada / August 2006

What do you consider "too cold"? So long as you bundle up, the
Grand Canyon is always worth a visit. But be aware that the high
plateau of northern Arizona is subject to occasional blizzards
ane heavy snow.

Sedona is always worth passing through, as a minimum.


  ************* DAVE HATUNEN (hatunen@cox.net) *************
   *       Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow         *
   * My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *

Just a few degrees, I think the elevation difference is a thousand ft
or less (not sure).

In a "wet" winter (haven't had many of those lately) snow storms pass
thru the higher country (Flagstaff to the Canyon) maybe once a week and
you probably want to skip going up if there's a storm because the roads
will be icy.  In a dry winter we might get a storm a month (or even
less) ... at any rate you can see these storms rolling in from
California well in advance and decide whether to go up or not when you
get here.

If there are no storms it will be cold in the morning (usually well
below freezing) and nice and sunny in the afternoons.  Well worth a
visit to the Canyon.

Yes.

Bill

"Gail Sperling" <gesperli@uwaterloo.ca> wrote...

 I agree with the two replies I've seen already. My 2 cents:

- I *prefer* the Grand Canyon's South Rim in *winter*. Of course, I live in
Flagstaff so I can usually pick and choose my visitation. A bit of snow in
the canyon adds to its beauty. Additionally, driving is allowed, parking is
available and rooms are more easily obtained for lodging during winter. I
really suggest spending a night at the Canyon's South Rim so that you'll be
there and can be at the Rim around sunset and sunrise. Try to eat at least a
breakfast or lunch at El Tovar (or dinner, with reservations!) Reasonable
lodging would be the cabins at Bright Angel near the rim or Maswick for
newer rooms. Try to drive it as a loop--if you arrive via Hwy 64 (either via
Williams or from Flagstaff along SR180 first), continue and exit the park to
the east on 64 to Cameron. Or in reverse. If the weather is bad, avoid SR180
between Flagstaff and Valle--it goes over 8000' and can have windswept snow
and may even be closed. If planning a stay in the Canyon's lodging, even in
winter, have advance reservations.

- Sedona is best visited in winter (or early spring or late fall) in my
opinion. It's when I do my hiking in the area. Note that SR89A (along Oak
Creek Canyon between Sedona and Flag through the switchbacks) may still be
having "issues" from this summer's Brins Fire. Mud slides and rock falls in
the burn area may have the highway closed or down to one lane. Check in
Sedona before driving north to Flagstaff and the Canyon and choose SR179 and
I-17 if 89A is closed.

- Note that entrance to the Grand Canyon is now $25 per vehicle. If you plan
to visit the Canyon and 1-2 or so other NPS areas, buy the annual $50
National Park Pass at your first NPS site to save money in the long run. In
Flagstaff with a National Park Pass, you could visit at no added cost Walnut
Canyon, Wupatki, Sunset Crater Volcano and between Phoenix and Flagstaff,
you could visit Tuzigoot or Montezuma's Castle/Well.

- Finally, when you're in the High Country (Flagstaff or Grand Canyon) in
winter, check the weather forecast. If snow is predicted or has recently
fallen, black ice can be a problem on the roads in the early AM or late PM.
You can still visit the area most of the time--just plan your driving to me
in the middle of the day. [I know *you* can drive in bad weather and on
black ice--it's the rest of the crazy US drivers that may be your biggest
concern in bad driving weather.]

Craig

PS--If you drive through Flagstaff and want to visit, just bring me a few
Tim Horton doughnuts and some hot poutine.

Sedona is always worth the visit, I went to the grand canyon late in
november and it happened to be a very windy day and very cold. I wasn't
as prepared as I should have been. Make sure you pack a warm coat and
hat and gloves.