A Day trip to the Grand Canyon - Wisetrips Travel Blog

While visiting Sedona and staying at the Hilton Sedona at Bell Rock on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, 2023, we decided to visit the famous Grand Canyon.

Though we have stayed in Sedona twice before, we never found time to visit the Grand Canyon, a mere 2.5 hours away by car. On one occasion, it snowed during Thanksgiving, and the roads to the Grand Canyon were closed.

Thursday, November 23, 2023

After waking up today, we initially intended to do the West Fork hike in Sedona. Still, the weather was freezing (40°F), and Inna did not sleep well. She still suffered from lingering dizziness, so we decided to postpone the West Fork hike for another day.

 

Instead, after eating a late breakfast at the ShadowRock Tap + Table Restaurant at Hilton Sedona (where we ordered Avocado Toast and coffee), we decided to see the Grand Canyon. Alex was still unwell and chose not to join us.

We drove to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center around 11:00, making rapid progress, as the road was mostly empty on the way there. Arriving around 13:15, we parked our Toyota RAV4 at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center near Mather Point.

 

It was cold outside, and we had not expected the weather to be so frigid. I reviewed the weather forecast before planning the trip to Las Vegas and Sedona. The actual temperatures were much lower than the ones predicted. 

I put on an extra fleece and jacket, and we started hiking on the Rim Trail. We immediately noticed the beautiful scenery and began to take lots of photos. Our walk started from Mather Point and continued eastward toward Pipe Creek Vista (which took an additional 25 minutes).

At Pipe Creek Vista Overlook, we took many photos and caught the park shuttle back to the Visitor Center, saving us valuable walking time. At the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, we found an eatery renting bikes - Bright Angel Bicycles & Café. We waited in a long line to purchase snacks, including the following items:

• Inna: "Everything" Bagel with Cream Cheese, granola bars, hot tea, potato chips (salt & vinegar)
• Boris: Blueberry Muffin, Mocha, potato chips (salt & vinegar)

Since Inna purchased a bagel, it came unsliced and untoasted. We had to slice and toast the bagel ourselves. I was surprised that the cafe did nothing before serving it. The blueberry muffin was tolerable. 

 

 

Inna found a table outside where we ate our food. The warm mocha helped prepare me for the next part of the hike. For one moment, a giant squirrel jumped on our table and refused to leave. I had to frighten it away with the bag of potato chips. It had no fear of people. 

 

We resumed our hike toward the Yavapai Geology Museum, taking photos along the way. It was getting late, so we turned back at 15:55 before reaching the museum. After stopping at the restroom, we started our long drive back to the Hilton Sedona.

There was much heavier traffic on the way back, and I started to get tired. I pulled over, and Inna drove the Toyota RAV4 for the rest of the trip. It began to get really dark at 18:00, and it was hard to navigate in total darkness because the roads were poorly lit.

 

We reached our Hilton Sedona at 18:30. Alex was still unwell but improving. Inna was feeling much better, and her dizziness had subsided.

Grand Canyon Trip Report

Highlights

• Seeing all the gorgeous Rocky Hills of the Grand Canyon from multiple viewing locations
• The shuttle made it convenient for us to get around without a bicycle.
• Bike rentals are available near the visitor center. Cycling is permitted on designated greenway sections, not along the entire Rim Trail.

Lowlights

• Mediocre food at Bright Angel Bicycles & Café (next time, we may pack our own lunch)
• Freezing weather in late November. Next time, check the forecast for the South Rim itself and bring warm jackets, hats, and gloves.