robbyferguson
Rank I
Member I
I am taking my son for a week to the Grad Canyon and to Moab. Does anyone have any suggestions on places/things to do or see? We open to moderate-level trails, nothing to extreme.
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Overlanding Grand Canyon and Moab
- Thread starter robbyferguson
- Start date
Member III
how old is your son? i've done the helicopter ride thru the canyon several times and recommend it highly. if your son is old enough to remember it and appreciate it, then i would suggest that as something to do. its quite the experience and you get to cover a LOT of area in a short time.
robbyferguson
Rank I
Member I
He’s 18, kind of a graduation gift. I’ve done the trip out of Vegas before. Is there someplace along that route you can do it? I’m wanting to do some off reading etc
Member III
perfect...that would make an excellent grad present. i know that going from flagstaff to the south rim, there are a few different helicopter places right together before you get to the main entrance. i always just set up reservations to make sure i wasn't wasting time waiting or missing out due to booked flights. i don't recall which companies i used, but they all seem to be pretty much the same and same pricing. here's a link
Helicopter Tours Las Vegas Style - GC Flight
Discover the magic of Las Vegas from a different perspective on a spectacular helicopter tour! Make an unforgettable journey and get mesmerized by the incredible city skyline and more. Helicopter tours in Las Vegas await!
www.gcflight.com
don't know much about offroad trails....i do recall seeing some places between flagstaff and the south rim entrance that might be some offroad trails, didn't notice if they were posted private or not. there are some dirt roads above flagstaff that looked interesting. also noticed some possible offroad trails northeast of GC when we were going from GC to Durango, CO.
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Member III
For Moab, I think the most impressive drive for views and sheer pleasure is to take the Shafer Trail down to the White Rim trail and then to Lathrop Canyon. That drive will take you from the very top of Canyonlands all the way down to the bank of the Colorado River.
The Shafer Trail is an easy road. I have seen everything from a European station wagon (don't recall if it was Volvo or Mercedes) to a 2wd Dodge dually. The only thing challenging about it is if you are a flatlander and have a fear of heights. The White Rim from there to Lathrop is even easier. Lathrop itself may be mildly challenging, depending on what the rains have done to it. You can figure that out with a 15 minute walk when it drops down into the wash that will run to the Colorado River. That section where it drops down is where the challenge (if there is any) will be. Scout it on foot if you are concerned.
Note that the Shafer Trail is part of Canyonlands and you will need to go into the park to get a permit to run it. I think the permit is free (it used to be). More than anything they are trying to control the amount of traffic on the road. They may also have a requirement that you have a vehicle with low range. That is about the steepness of the grade. Trying to ride your brakes down the hill would be a bad idea.
That drive may not stack up to a helicopter ride, but it is as close as you can get and still be in your vehicle (and survive--I guess Thelma & Louise may have gotten closer, but I assume that is not your plan). You will be driving switchbacks from the top of a sheer cliff to the bottom. The views do not get any better.
La Sal Pass would be the next drive I would consider, but talk to the local Rangers about trail conditions. When I did that one in October of 2018 there was a substantial rock slide to get over, and the snow at 9,000' wound up being too deep for us to get any farther. Nonetheless, we had some great views.
The Shafer Trail is an easy road. I have seen everything from a European station wagon (don't recall if it was Volvo or Mercedes) to a 2wd Dodge dually. The only thing challenging about it is if you are a flatlander and have a fear of heights. The White Rim from there to Lathrop is even easier. Lathrop itself may be mildly challenging, depending on what the rains have done to it. You can figure that out with a 15 minute walk when it drops down into the wash that will run to the Colorado River. That section where it drops down is where the challenge (if there is any) will be. Scout it on foot if you are concerned.
Note that the Shafer Trail is part of Canyonlands and you will need to go into the park to get a permit to run it. I think the permit is free (it used to be). More than anything they are trying to control the amount of traffic on the road. They may also have a requirement that you have a vehicle with low range. That is about the steepness of the grade. Trying to ride your brakes down the hill would be a bad idea.
That drive may not stack up to a helicopter ride, but it is as close as you can get and still be in your vehicle (and survive--I guess Thelma & Louise may have gotten closer, but I assume that is not your plan). You will be driving switchbacks from the top of a sheer cliff to the bottom. The views do not get any better.
La Sal Pass would be the next drive I would consider, but talk to the local Rangers about trail conditions. When I did that one in October of 2018 there was a substantial rock slide to get over, and the snow at 9,000' wound up being too deep for us to get any farther. Nonetheless, we had some great views.
robbyferguson
Rank I
Member I
thank you, that sounds like a great plan!
Enthusiast III
There is a great camping spot near the south entrance in forestry land! Make sure if you are able to swing by Sedona area also.
Traveler III
We stayed at the Far East end campground at Dewey Bridge October 2020 and loved it. Super chill and quiet. We did Top of the World which is great if you like rocks. The slick rock at Hell’s Revenge is tons of fun. So many great trails in Moab.
Mustang03
Rank V
Enthusiast III
If you're going to Grand Canyon, do NOT miss driving out to Point Sublime. It's on the North Rim to the west of the Lodge/campground. Very decent if not-well-maintained dirt roads leading out there. We spent two nights (requires a Backcountry Permit: Backcountry Permit - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) . Other viewpoints on dirt roads worth the trip are Fire Point and Crazy Jug Point. If you have the time, the 65 mile drive out to Toroweap Overlook (I KNOW you've seen pictures of this spot!) above Lava Falls Rapid is a great trip and Tuweep Campground is very nicely primitive. Here's an info page: Tuweep - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) that includes a link to the reservations page. There are also paved roads to numerous more "touristy " viewpoints like Cape Royal - Check the Park website for a tourist map.
For my money, the North Rim is the better visit. It's a thousand feet higher than the South Rim so it is cooler in the summer. The South gets 6 million visitors a year while the North gets about 600K so it is less crowded in general and the remote campsites like Sublime get fewer than a thousand overnighters in a season. At night, you get the Milky Way over the canyon. Can't ask for better!
For my money, the North Rim is the better visit. It's a thousand feet higher than the South Rim so it is cooler in the summer. The South gets 6 million visitors a year while the North gets about 600K so it is less crowded in general and the remote campsites like Sublime get fewer than a thousand overnighters in a season. At night, you get the Milky Way over the canyon. Can't ask for better!
Educator I
"For my money, the North Rim is the better visit. It's a thousand feet higher than the South Rim so it is cooler in the summer. The South gets 6 million visitors a year while the North gets about 600K so it is less crowded in general and the remote campsites like Sublime get fewer than a thousand overnighters in a season. At night, you get the Milky Way over the canyon. Can't ask for better! "
100% For sure!!!!
We usually stay a week at DeMott campground and offroad all over.......
Good info: Campgrounds - North Rim - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
100% For sure!!!!
We usually stay a week at DeMott campground and offroad all over.......
Good info: Campgrounds - North Rim - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
