Posted: 4/27/2008 1:21:08 PM EDT
|
My wife and I are planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon area and need some input on the below. We are thinking April 2009. 1. Major sights to see @ the Canyon or activities that are "secret-jems." 2. I already know that CCW is reciprocated but anything I need to know camping and carrying? 3. Would love to take the 24" monster and see some pesky varmints. Are there Areas or opportunities? 4. Recommended hotels/camping in or out of park? I know it is broad but looking to do some research on a variety of forums. Thank you in advance. Chuck |
|
Don't know about your questions, but if you plan on going to that hidious glass overlook on the canyon, be prepared to pay some big money. I think it's about $50 a person or something outragous like that!! Also, be careful because some of that is Indian Reservation and just make sure you check the laws about CCW on Indian Res land... but don't get me started on the whole "soverign nation" thing 
|
|
Chuck, Pretty much everyone goes to the South Rim, which is all well and good and there is plenty to see. As far as the hike down, there aren't too many secrets as it is fairly regulated where you can and cannot go. Make a rim-to-rim hike if you can, takes about a day but you can spread it out over a few days if you want. If you want some really cool hiking, go farther up, towards Page, and hit Marble Canyon. No regs, though you are on Indian Res, and it is a little more dangerous hiking. Now, the North Rim is a whole other story. Sure, it's a longer drive, but when you get to Torroweap and look over a 3000 ft sheer cliff (and I mean sheer cliff) straight down, no rails to hold you back - it's a stomach turner. I'll admit - I crawled to the edge. There is a lot less people on the North Rim, the wildlife is more abundant (though the South Rim is not lacking), and the camping is much better. It's more forested, a little more wild. Lots of dirt roads - and that's where the varmints come in. Here in AZ, you would be required to buy a non-res hunting license, though I won't say anything if you don't. There are plenty of coyotes, though April is a hard time to hunt them. There are a few p-dog towns I've heard of up there, and lots of rabbits. You're sure to see elk, perhaps bear or mtn. lion and maybe some Rocky Mountain sheep - they're a little more common on the North Rim, though still rare. Even though the deer won't have antlers in April, the North Rim and NW corner annually produces more B&C mule deer than anywhere else in the nation. Hope that helps. |
Just remember that Rocky Mountain Sheep and Rocky Mountain Oysters are completely different objects!!! 
|
PLENTY of places to camp you can camp for free outside the grand canyon in the national forest and go shooting. Arizona is open carry also on your person or in your car. National parks guns have to be unloaded and cased. There's the normal chain of hotels outside of the park. Off roading in Arizona is big , I believe there is about 15,000.00 miles of roads. 
|