Arizona
Hiking the Grand Canyon: Adventures On and Below the South Rim
Program No. 6112RJ
Gain a deeper understanding of the Grand Canyon as you join experts for hikes on and below the South Rim. Naturalists provide insight into the canyon’s epic natural and human histories.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 4L, 4D
)
7 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Grand Canyon - South Rim
Meals:
D
Stay:
Yavapai Lodge West
Activity Note
Lodge check-in from 3:00 p.m. See your program’s GETTING THERE information regarding transfers.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the dining area to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions in our private meeting area. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Educational content will be provided by our knowledgeable Group Leaders. Transportation will be primarily via passenger vans and free Park Service shuttle buses, unless otherwise specified. Field trips go rain or shine. There are typically no restroom facilities on the trail. Breakfasts and most dinners will be at the lodge restaurant; sack lunches. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Dinner at the Yavapai Lodge Restaurant dining hall.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
West Rim Trail Hike, Bright Angel Trail Hike
Location:
Grand Canyon - South Rim
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Yavapai Lodge West
Activity Note
Getting on/off park shuttles; driving about 12 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Hiking 4 to 5 miles throughout the day; well-maintained trails; elevation change of about 700 feet. No restroom facilities on the trail, except for one about halfway through the morning Rim Trail hike.
Breakfast:
At Yavapai Lodge Dining Hall.
Morning:
From the lodge, we will board a National Park Service shuttle bus and ride to our trailhead, where we’ll set out with our Group Leaders on a three-mile hike along the Rim Trail from Mohave Point to Grand Canyon Village. We will stop for short trailside talks at appropriate vantage points to learn about Grand Canyon geology, ecology, and human history. Excellent views of the Colorado River are a highlight on this mostly level hike that will end at the Bright Angel Trailhead in Grand Canyon Village.
Lunch:
At Maswik Lodge Food Court.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll take a short walk to the trailhead, then hike down the Bright Angel Trail with our Group Leaders to get a feel for hiking on an inner canyon trail below the rim. Hiking leaders will describe the details, length, and destination of the hike they will lead. Road Scholars will subdivide into smaller groups and venture on the hike of their choosing. At the conclusion of the hike, we’ll return to Yavapai Lodge via the National Park Service shuttles.
Dinner:
At Yavapai Lodge Dining Hall.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to take the park shuttle to a viewpoint for a Grand Canyon sunset, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax.
Day
3
Palisades of the Desert Hike, Desert View
Location:
Grand Canyon - South Rim
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Yavapai Lodge West
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans, driving about 50 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Hiking about 6 miles, approximately 5 hours; first 1/2 mile mostly level terrain on old road bed, descends 700 feet to Palisades Rim then rocky trail, side-hill contouring, minor elevation changes. No restroom facilities on the trail.
Breakfast:
At Yavapai Lodge Dining Hall.
Morning:
We’ll ride with our Group Leaders to the Desert View area on the eastern end of the South Rim for our Palisades of the Desert hike. This is a true “off the beaten path” hike, not found in guide books. Beginning on an abandoned rocky road and ending up on a massive escarpment of the eastern Grand Canyon known as the Palisades of the Desert, there is a 700-foot elevation loss and then gain on this six-mile round-trip hike. Highlights will include remote and quiet hiking locations with few (if any) other visitors, colorful views of the distant Painted Desert, potential wildlife sightings, and striking views of the eastern portion of the Grand Canyon.
Lunch:
Along the trail, we’ll have sack lunches.
Afternoon:
After completing our hike, we’ll have some time for independent exploration of the Desert View area, including the famous Watchtower designed by architect Mary Colter. We’ll have sweeping views of the Colorado River and distant views of the Painted Desert. Group Leaders will be available during this time to answer questions. We’ll ride back to the lodge after our field trip.
Dinner:
At Yavapai Lodge Dining Hall.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to take the park shuttle to a viewpoint for a Grand Canyon sunset, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax.
Day
4
Red Mountain Volcano, Free Time
Location:
Grand Canyon - South Rim
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Yavapai Lodge West
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving about 87 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Hiking about 3 miles round-trip, approximately 2.5 hours; well-established trail with good footing, fine volcanic cinder, gradual incline climbing/descending approximately 300 feet. No restroom facilities on the trail.
Breakfast:
At Yavapai Lodge Dining Hall.
Morning:
We will hop into vans and ride outside the park boundary to experience a less-visited but awesomely exceptional hike in the Kaibab National Forest. The Red Mountain hike offers great scenic and geologic rewards. A massive steam explosion in the flank of the Red Mountain cinder cone volcano late in its eruption, followed by subsequent erosion, have resulted in a geologic fairyland of spires, pinnacles, and hoodoos. Upon completion of our hike, we’ll return to the lodge.
Lunch:
In the field, we’ll have sack lodges.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leaders will be happy to offer suggestions and advice. If you would like to explore independently, some of the available activities include riding the park's Hermit Road shuttle to various viewpoints and Hermit’s Rest, exploring the many interesting buildings in the historic Grand Canyon Village, visiting Yavapai Geology Museum and walking the Trail of Time, renting a bicycle and riding the Greenway Trail, and more.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are a number of dining venues to choose from in the park. If you are interested in dining at the El Tovar Hotel, note that advance reservations are required for both lunch and dinner. These reservations are best made as far in advance as possible (up to one month out). Call 928-638-2631 and ask for the El Tovar dining room, or visit https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/dine/el-tovar-dining-room-and-lounge/.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to take the park shuttle to a viewpoint for a Grand Canyon sunset, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax.
Day
5
South Kaibab Trail Hike to Cedar Ridge & Skeleton Point
Location:
Grand Canyon - South Rim
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Yavapai Lodge West
Activity Note
Getting on/off park shuttle; riding about 3 miles, approximately 1/2 hour. Hiking choices from 3-6 miles throughout the day depending on route preference; steep but well-maintained trail, approximately 4 to 5 feet wide, numerous water bars, step pads. Elevation changes from 1,100 to 2,000 feet depending on route preference.
Breakfast:
At Yavapai Lodge Dining Hall.
Morning:
With our Group Leaders, we will use the park's shuttle buses to ride to the South Kaibab Trailhead for our hike to Cedar Ridge, which features vast, sweeping inner canyon views. We will divide into smaller groups with separate hike leaders and stagger groups along the trail as we descend. This will aid in the dissemination of information along the trail and make passing by other hikers easier and safer. This hike will be among the highlights of the program. We’ll traverse several of the geologic layers of the canyon, including the Coconino Sandstone, which contains fossilized reptile tracks. Along the way, we’ll encounter amazing inner canyon views, watch out for California condors soaring overhead, and enjoy trailside talks by our Group Leaders at various points of interest and at Cedar Ridge.
Lunch:
Along the trail, we’ll have sack lunches.
Afternoon:
Our South Kaibab Trail hike will continue. Weather permitting, those who wish to extend the route farther into the canyon to Skeleton Point are welcome to do so (an additional 1.5 miles and 1,000 foot loss of elevation one-way). Those who choose not to go farther into the canyon will hike back up to the rim at their own pace. After the hike, we will take the park shuttle back to the lodge, with time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At a nearby restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At the restaurant with our Group Leader, we will have a program wrap-up and reflect on our experiences. Returning to the lodge, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Grand Canyon - South Rim
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Lodge check-out 11:00 a.m. Road Scholar shuttle departs for Flagstaff at 7:30 am.
Breakfast:
At Yavapai Lodge Dining Hall. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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