Sedona and the Grand Canyon Hiking Arizona’S Best!

Sedona and the Grand Canyon Hiking Arizona’s Best!

Saturday, March 19 - Sunday, March 27, 2022 (trip #2222)

The desert, when the sun comes up. I couldn't tell where heaven stopped and the Earth began. -Tom Hanks

Overview

Join us for five days of hiking in the Red Rock Country of Sedona, Arizona ending with two spectacular days in the Grand Canyon. March is the perfect time to visit the desert, with its spring flowers amidst the stunning landscape, deep canyons, soaring mesas and gentle streams. This is an area of serene and breathtaking beauty with many wonderful and accessible trails. During our hikes, we will have beautiful views of vivid red sandstone, towering pinnacles, sheer canyon walls and massive red-rock formations. This is also the land of contrasts with lush, thick vegetation along flowing streams, such as at the mouth of the spectacular Oak Creek Canyon alongside the dry high desert.

While in Sedona we will visit The Palatki Heritage site. “Palatki,” the Hopi word for “red house,” has a set of ancient cliff dwellings in the red sandstone cliffs, built from 1100 to 1400 CE by the Sinagua people of the Ancestral Puebloans. These people left behind enduring rock art as well as ruins of their pueblos and cliff dwellings.

If you read about Sedona, you will discover it has long been regarded as a place both sacred and powerful. People travel from all across the globe to experience the mysterious cosmic forces said to emanate from the red rocks - the vortexes. Sedona vortexes are thought to be swirling centers of energy conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. Many feel inspired, recharged or uplifted after visiting a vortex. Perhaps you will too!

For our grand finale we will spend two days exploring The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Standing on the rim of the canyon – 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep – is awe inspiring. Seeing it at sunrise and sunset, as we will, all the more so. The unique combinations of geologic color and erosional rock formations are stunning and worth the Arizona road trip just to take a look. We will do more, however, hiking well beyond the rim and part ways into the canyon, exploring the diverse landforms as well as the area’s cultural history.

In the Grand Canyon, Arizona has a natural wonder which is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world. - Theodore Roosevelt

Highlights ● Five days of hiking, sampling Sedona’s best ● Two days hiking and exploring the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World ● Exploring natural and cultural history

Includes ● Double occupancy accommodations (pool and hot tub while in Sedona) ● All breakfasts and dinners ● Transportation to and from Phoenix Airport

ITINERARY

We will spend five nights in Sedona and then transfer to the Grand Canyon for two nights before returning to Phoenix for our farewell dinner and final night before catching our flights home the following day. Each day in Sedona we do one or two hikes, to canyons and mesas with beautiful scenery, carefully chosen to highlight the best of the area.

Each night, the trip leaders will describe the next day’s hike(s). Hikes range from easy/moderate at the beginning of the week to moderate/strenuous at the end of the week. Hikes range from 6 - 11.5 miles averaging 8 miles per day. Elevation gain ranges from 930’ to 3544’, averaging 2,100’ per day. There may be some water crossings and spots with exposure to wind and steep drop-offs. Participants should be in good shape and able to hike up to 11 miles over varied terrain.

The itinerary below is what your leaders are planning, however, it could change due to local closures, safety, transportation or lodging availability, unforeseeable circumstances (eg. weather, natural disasters, governmental or ranger recommendations) and/or group considerations. Per the AMC Adventure Travel Terms and Conditions, our leaders reserve the right to make changes as necessary, both before and during the trip.

Day 1, Saturday March 19: Arrive in Phoenix & Drive to Sedona

Fly from home to Phoenix, Arizona, arriving by 12:30pm, where we meet you at the airport. After uniting with our group, we will pick up our rental vehicles and drive 2.5 hours to Sedona. (Folks arriving later may need to arrange transportation on their own to Sedona.) After settling into our rooms at the Sedona Real Inn we’ll make an excursion to the grocery store to pick up lunch food. At 6:00 pm we’ll have our group orientation meeting followed by our welcome dinner. Some may even find time to enjoy the pool and hot tub on this our first day!

Day 2, Sunday March 20: Courthouse Butte & Bell Rock Loop (~ 4.0 miles, +460’ gain); Broken Arrow Trail Loop (~ 3.5 miles, +415’ gain).

We begin our adventure after breakfast hiking Courthouse Butte & Bell Rock Loop, two well-known rock monuments. Bell Rock is said to be one of Sedona’s powerful Vortex sites. This is an easy hike with beautiful desert views. After lunch we hike the Broken Arrow Trail Loop featuring beautiful wild flowers and amazing scenery through some of

3 Sedona's most spectacular rock formations. After hiking we’ll return to the Sedona Real Inn with time to enjoy the pool and hot tub before dinner.

Day 3, Monday March 21: Munds Wagon, Cow Pies and Hangover Loop Trail (~9 miles; 1200’ gain); Hangover Trail, Cow Pie Trail, and Munds Wagon Trail combine to create a challenging yet rewarding loop hike in Sedona. Piñon pines, scrub oak, junipers, agave, and cypress trees flank the trail. With its varied terrain that includes interesting rock formations, occasional loose rock and overhangs, plan for a fun, full-day’s hike with scenic views and the chance to be immersed in red rock country.

Day 4, Tuesday March 22: Wilson Mountain, 7,122’ (~11.5 miles, +3100’ gain).

Today we hike Wilson Mountain, the highest of the Red Rock Mountains surrounding Sedona. The majority of the climb is packed into the first mile or so of the route, but the views start as soon as you leave the car and just keep getting better. At the top you'll be rewarded with views stretching over hundreds of miles of gorgeous, scenic canyon country.

Day 5, Wednesday March 23: West fork of Oak Creek Canyon (~7.2 miles; 850’ gain) followed by free time in Sedona.

West Fork Oak Creek Trail is one of Sedona’s most impressive and popular hiking trails with canyon walls rising up hundreds of feet. The trail is an easy stroll, but we’ll have multiple crossings of a most pleasant stream that runs along the canyon floor, negotiating a few stepping stones or taking some steps in shallow water. This hike only takes a few hours, leaving us all some well-earned free time. Perhaps you’ll sit by the pool, visit a museum or gallery, or stroll through the shops in Sedona. After your relaxing afternoon, we will meet up for our group dinner.

4 Day 6, Thursday March 24: Palatki Heritage Site & Transfer to the Grand Canyon

After breakfast and checkout of our Sedona hotel, we visit the Palatki Heritage Site, one of the nicest examples of cliff dwellings with rock art, ruins, and pictographs in the Sedona area. It is an excellent example of Native American habitations between 1150 and 1350 AD. We will attempt to secure a reservation to the ranger led, interpretive tour to the ruins. There is only about a mile of easy hiking there, but we will take the time to appreciate the site and make ample use of the rangers who are on site to answer questions. For more information visit Palatki Heritage Site, Coconino National Forest.

From here it’s about a 3-hour drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park! After checking into our Maswik Lodge accommodations within the National Park, we will swing by the Visitor Center to get oriented, visit the small museum and exhibits, and enjoy an IMAX movie introduction to the Grand Canyon. After dinner we will enjoy a ranger program and a sunset visit to the rim.

Day 7, Friday March 25: South Kaibab Trail (~3 miles; +/-1500’); Bright Angel Trail (~3.2 miles; +/-1,650’)

Today we rise early for our sunrise hike on the South Kaibab Trail, considered by many experienced hikers to be one of America’s best 3-mile round trip hikes (~1500’ elevation gain) and the “#1,”

5 “must-do” trail in the south Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park! We return for a late morning brunch. NPS’s South Kaibab Trail Description.

In the afternoon we will hike the Bright Angel Trail, the Grand Canyon’s most popular trail with spectacular views and shade, water, and bathrooms every 1.5 miles . The hike is 3.2 mi. round trip with elevation gain/loss 1690’ from the rim to the first rest station. NPS’s Bright Angel Trail Description.

If time/energy permits in the afternoon or after dinner we may have time to visit some scenic viewpoints on the Rim Trail via shuttle bus OR another leader choice option. Or perhaps you might want some personal time to sit by the rim in solitude to soak in the grandeur.

Day 8, Saturday March 26: Free morning at Grand Canyon and transfer to Phoenix

This morning is your choice for how you would like to spend your remaining hours at the Grand Canyon before we head back to Phoenix. Morning options include taking a few-hour bike ride along the rim, (bikes available for rent for around $40 at your own expense), taking another short hike, and/or enjoying some of the other museums or interpretive areas. We will meet back around lunch time, after which we have about a 4-hour ride back to Phoenix where we will check into our hotel. This is our last evening together.

Day 9, Sunday March 27: Return travel home day. Our Phoenix accommodations will include breakfast and a free airport shuttle for your departure flights.

HIKING SUMMARY

Note: All hiking mileage and gain listed are our best estimates based on trip reports and guidebooks, and our experience on the ground may vary.

Day Hike Estimated Mileage/ Elevation Gain

Su, 3/20 Courthouse Butte & Bell Rock Loop 4.0 / 360' Broken Arrow Trail 3.5 / 415'

M, 3/21 Munds Wagon, Cow Pies & Hangover 9.0 / 1200’ Loop Trail

T, 3/22 Wilson Mountain Trail 11.5 / 3100'

W, 3/23 West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon 7.2 / 850'

Th, 3/24 Palatki Heritage Site 1.0+

F, 3/25 South Kaibab Trail 3.0 / 1500' Bright Angel Trail 3.2 / 1650'

PARTICIPANT PROFILE & TRIP DIFFICULTY

You should enjoy traveling and be comfortable traveling in areas which are unfamiliar to you. You should recognize that you may find yourself in closer quarters or be less comfortable than you are used to at home. You should make it a priority to help others on the trip and contribute to their having a great time. If you do that, we guarantee that you will have a great time.

This trip is rated a difficulty of 4-5: moderate to vigorous hiking. The trip is suitable for those with recent similar experience with the ability to hike back-to-back days, being active up to 5–6 hours per day, with brief breaks, hiking up to 11+ miles with 3,000’ elevation gain in a given day. Hikes are at altitudes between 5,000 and 7,400 feet. A detailed packing list will be provided to all participants well in advance of the trip. As the hiking is over moderately strenuous terrain at a moderate pace, this is not a trip for beginners or people who have not hiked during the past year. You should already be in good physical condition by the time you arrive in Phoenix.

EXPERIENCE & RISKS

When you participate in this activity you should be both physically and mentally prepared and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should be aware of the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. The biggest risk to hikers in Arizona is the sun. We’ll carry plenty of water and use sunscreen liberally. Other risks involve exposure to weather (other than the sun) and the elements, rocks and unstable trail conditions, and water/stream crossings. There is the possibility to come across a rattlesnake, however, rattlesnakes avoid people unless provoked or surprised and we will not be putting our hands or feet in any place we cannot see.

Prior to your acceptance as a participant in this trip, you may be asked to discuss your capabilities and experience with us. You should enjoy traveling, be flexible around itinerary changes, and be comfortable traveling in areas unfamiliar to you. You should recognize you may find yourself in closer quarters or be less comfortable than you are used to at home. We typically request references to confirm your fitness level and suitability to participate in trip activities. Please do not be offended by our questions.

It may happen on any trip that a trip member is or becomes unable to participate in one or more planned activity. Leaders in their sole judgment have the right and obligation to refuse participation in any activity to any group member for reasons of safety, whether it be of the group or of the individual. Illness, injury or lack of proper gear or fitness for a particular activity are examples of some conditions that might result in a participant’s being unable to perform one or more activity.

7 BEING A TEAM PLAYER

This trip is designed so everyone experiences our adventure through shared participation in an organized group. AMC travelers are known for cooperative efforts and helping others on trips and contributing to everyone having a great time. If you enjoy being part of a group in a spectacular environment, this trip may be just right for you. If you are flexible and considerate of all participants and share this AMC Adventure Travel experience, we guarantee you will have a great time!

ACCOMMODATIONS / MEALS / TRANSPORTATION

We will stay in a comfortable motel (two to a room) in West Sedona, the quieter part of town where the locals live, dine and shop. The hotel's amenities include a hot breakfast buffet, cafe shop to pre-order sandwiches, outdoor pool, spa/hot tub, fitness center, and high-speed Internet. In the Grand Canyon we will stay in one of the National Park’s lodges (two to a room). We are unable to offer a single supplement for this trip.

Breakfast and dinner are included in the trip cost. In Sedona and Phoenix, breakfasts will be at the motel; while in the Grand Canyon, breakfasts will be at one of the park’s dining areas or cafeterias. Dinners will be at local restaurants, and when in the National Park at a cafeteria. You are responsible for your trail lunches. There will be grocery stores along the way to purchase “lunch fixings,” and the hotel in Sedona has a cafe where you can pre-order sandwiches. Please share with us any special food requirements. For the most part we should be able to work with the motel and restaurants to accommodate most food preferences or requirements. In some instances you might want to consider bringing some of your own food to be sure you are “set”, but we will work that out before the trip.

Local travel will be in rented minivans, driven by leaders and volunteer participants. We may ask you in advance of the trip if you are willing to help out with the driving. All drivers, including leaders, are screened in advance by AMC to confirm their safe driving records.

CLIMATE AND TIME ZONE

Average daily high temperatures in March in Sedona are 62 - 68° F and rarely fall below 50° F or exceed 78° F. Early morning and late afternoon temperatures are cooler, from 40 – 45° F (rarely fall below 33° or exceed 53° F). Average monthly rainfall in March starts the month at 1.7 inches and ends the month at 1 inch.

8 The Grand Canyon is cooler with daily high temperatures from 50 – 57° F, rarely falling below 38 degrees or exceeding 68° F. Lows are from 22 – 26° F. Average rainfall is 1.4 inches. Participants will need clothing for all conditions – shorts to fleece jackets or even warmer for those cool/cold/freezing evenings in the Grand Canyon, in particular.

Arizona is in the Mountain Time Zone. Most of the state including Sedona and the Grand Canyon does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

TRIP PRICE

The AMC member price is $2600 per person. The non-member price is $2700. Currently the AMC charges $50 for individual members and $75 for family memberships. Click here to get to the membership page.

The price for this excursion is based on quotes or estimates obtained at the time the trip was planned. The final price of the trip will be adjusted in accordance with the best final arrangements we can make. Any savings we achieve, as well as any cost increases we incur will be shared by trip participants. Our cost estimates are conservative, and so a refund is more likely than a price increase. All Adventure Travel trips are run on a non-profit basis and refunds, if any, are issued after the trip’s financial accounting is complete.

In accordance with AMC policy, you are subsidizing the leaders' costs. Beyond this, the leaders are not allowed to realize any profit from this excursion. The trip price includes an AMC overhead fee to cover the administrative expenses of offering Adventure Travel excursions. The trip fee also includes emergency medical and evacuation insurance coverage, which is required by the AMC. It does not include insurance for travel delay, interruption, or cancellation, or for baggage loss. If these possibilities concern you, individual travel insurance is recommended. More information about included emergency medical and evacuation insurance, as well as about optional and recommended travel insurance, will be provided to participants in their formal acceptance letters, which will be sent out when the trip has the required number of accepted applicants.

A deposit of $1,000 is due with the application. Your balance payment of $1600 member price ($1700 non-member) is due October 1, 2021.

The trip price Includes: ● Eight nights lodging ● All dinners and breakfasts ● Car rentals and gas ● Park entrance fees ● Emergency medical & evacuation insurance coverage

9 The trip price does not include: ● Airfare. The trip leaders will advise you and will facilitate group travel, but the purchase of tickets is the responsibility of the participant. At this time, we estimate that the cost for a round trip ticket between the US East Coast and Phoenix will be in the range of $750 to $900. ● Lunches, beverages, trail snacks, personal items, optional activities, & incidental expenses ● Gratuities for hotel staff, housekeeping, etc.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Information regarding the AMC Adventure Travel Terms and Conditions and items listed below can be found at Adventure Travel Trip Information under the “Trip Resources” tab: ● Cancellation Policy ● Leaders’ Right to Change Itinerary ● Leaders’ Expectations of Participants ● Trip Price ● Passports and Travel Documents ● Safety ● AMC Activity Rating System

REGISTRATION

We expect a group size of 16 people, including the 2 leaders. This trip is likely to fill quickly. If you are interested, you should apply as soon as possible.

1. Complete the online Sedona/Grand Canyon Online Application.

2. Download, complete, and submit (by post or email) the following Sedona/Grand Canyon Documents which consist of:

● Confidential medical form (required) ● Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk and Release form (required) ● Supplemental Medical Questionnaire (optional)

3. Send this Hiking and Group Travel Reference link two references who can vouch for your hiking ability and group compatibility. (You can copy/paste the link into your email to your references.)

● If you are an active outdoors person with limited hiking references, please reach out to Beth for guidance at (603) 707-9498.

4. Mail your $1000 deposit check, made out the Appalachian Mountain Club to: Beth Zimmer 294 Chemung Road Meredith, NH 03253

10 You will not be accepted until you have completed the four steps above, and the leader has determined by telephone conversation with you, that you and the trip are a good match. Your check will not be deposited until the trip leaders confirm the trip has sufficient number of participants and will be run as scheduled. Deposit checks from wait-listed applicants will not be cashed until we offer them a spot on the trip AND they accept.

AMC MISSION

AMC Adventure Travel trips are run in a manner supportive of and consistent with the conservation, recreational and educational principles and mission of the Club. Trip leaders encourage participant conduct consistent with Leave No Trace environmental and conservation principles and local regulations.

LEADERS

Beth Zimmer In her role as hike leader and former Co-Chair for the AMC NH Chapter Excursions Committee, Beth has conducted well over a hundred hikes, backpacks, workshops and outings for the Appalachian Mountain Club since 2012. Beth is also an active volunteer for both August Camp and Adventure Travel. Beth enjoys exploring new places and finding new routes to familiar places which complements her skills with maps and navigation. She has traveled extensively throughout Central and South America as well as to other regions. Favorite highlight trips for her include two weeks hiking in the Swiss Alps and hiking Haidrian’s Wall Path in the UK. Contact Beth at (603)707-9498 or [email protected].

Jeanne Blauner Jeanne has been leading outdoor adventures for over 40 years for AMC and Sierra Club among other groups. Jeanne is past Chair and a backcountry leader with AMC Boston Family Outings leading hiking, camping, canoe, and winter trips. Jeanne is also former Boston Chapter Membership Chair. Jeanne joined AMC Adventure Travel in 2014 and has led AT trips to Switzerland, Machu Picchu, Morocco, New Zealand, and Fiji-Tonga. In addition, Jeanne has led over 30 national & international weeklong Sierra Club trips since 1980 including the Dolomites in Italy, the Dordogne region in France, and the Austrian Alps. Contact Jeanne at: (978) 202-5606 or [email protected].