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Author
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Topic: Grand Canyon tips
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Paul Mayer
Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under!
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Posts: 3836
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 09-17-2005 12:54 AM
Take a look at Grand Canyon Airlines too. They are the sister company to Scenic, the company I used to fly for, and they fly the same Vistaliners (modified DHC-6 Twin Otters). Of the fixed-wing operators I think they provide the best presentation (ultra-reliable P&W PT6 twin turboprop power, huge down-to-your-knees windows, high wings that don't obstruct the view, and selectable language tour narration via headphones).
The helicopter trips can be very exciting, including trips all the way down to the bottom of the canyon for landings at Phantom Ranch or the village in Supai Canyon. Not to bad mouth anyone, but Papillon has been having a run of bad luck lately--several fatals in the last couple of years. Check out some of the other helicopter operators.
Any of the air tours will let you see things that you won't see from the rim. But the drive along the south rim is still beautiful and easy to do. The west half from Grand Canyon Village out to Hermit's Rest may or may not be open to private cars but there are the tour vans. The east half out to the Watchtower is open all year 'round. Both offer plenty of places to stop and gawk and picnic and hike. Best times of day to see the place are early morning or sunset. The lighting gets pretty flat at midday.
The El Tovar Hotel on the south rim in the village is spectacular but may be hard to book and pricey. Take a walk through it though or grab a meal while you're there.
Just south of the park entrance in Tusayan are several hotels and motels that are quite serviceable. After numerous bad experiences, I'm not a fan of the Squire Inn. Consistantly lot's of 'tude there over the years. Very snooty. My favorites are the Moqui Lodge and the Red Feather Lodge. There are lots of places to eat, including several decent buffets. Ask around for the one run by Frank (Franz) Rotter (sorry I can't remember which hotel), a German ex-pat who's been there for decades.
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