Of course I would disagree with NR over SR of the GC. You only see about 10% of the GC at the NR. Same reason I could put up with the crowds at Estes Park. There is very little to do or see of RMNP from the west side. I lived in EP for 8 years, left in 2003. We would never go there again now! Too many other good places.
Lauren wrote:
For those who don't know - Busskipper and I go round and round on a few things - and we like to jab at each other. Trust me, it is all in fun. I respect his opinion even though it is wrong! ๐ We both love Nature just maybe a little different perspective at times. I do a LOT of photography and it is about 98% Nature.
:B - - ๐
For those who don't know - Busskipper and I go round and round on a few things - and we like to jab at each other. Trust me, it is all in fun. I respect his opinion even though it is wrong! ๐ We both love Nature just maybe a little different perspective at times. I do a LOT of photography and it is about 98% Nature.
Lauren wrote:
I really like Busskipper but this image is way too much Photoshop! ๐
Forget the North Rim. You see but about 10% of the Grand Canyon...go to South Rim. Yup, more crowds and so much more to do and see. Do NOT skip Grand Canyon.
.............
That picture was just for you Lauren:-)
Funny how we all see things so differently.......must be why this RV'ing thing is so Great.
But IMHO see all you can - even if just driving through... Lauren has Years of experience in the Southwest, so you should follow some/much of his advice, but should still make your own determinations as to what YOU enjoy.
IMHO the North and the South Rims of the GC are totally different and should both be held in high regard - One is a lot like Disney World - Big, Bold and Beautiful with lines and crowds - the other is more like the way I view a National Park - Bold, Beautiful and Wild, a little more like nature.
As a kid my folks took us to Both (50's and 60's) - I loved and related more to the North Rim - in the 90's I drove my son to LA for a summer internship while in College and we stopped by the North Rim in early June, during a 4" snow storm, IMHO the most beautiful images of the North Rim ever (I still carry those images in my Mind's Eye as I have No Pictures, Son forgot to put film in the Camera) Later when that son Moved to Colorado he visited the Grand Canyon - South Rim - Called to tell me on the drive home that it was Enormous - and as Grand as could be - BUT - did not compare to the North Rim in June with Snow. So while I will not disagree with the recommendation to see the South Rim - if possible try to see them both, as they are both truly Spectacular.
The great thing about this forum is the Diversity of advice you will get, so continue to plan, "No Wrong Choices".
Best of Luck,
Edit; Found this as a good summary;
"SOUTH RIM VS. NORTH RIM
South Rim vs. North RimPhoto Credit: gcflight.com
Which should you visit - the South Rim or the North Rim of the Grand Canyon? It's a question more and more visitors are asking each year. The answer depends on several factors and ultimately comes down to whatever makes the most sense for your vacation. Here are some basics to help you figure out what you expect to get out of you Grand Canyon visit, and choose the Rim that's right for you.
The majority of visitors come to the South Rim each year. Compare 5 million annual South Rim visitors to 1 million yearly North Rim visitors and 200,000 annual visitors at the West Rim. There is a good reason people flock to the South Rim; it's part of Grand Canyon National Park; it's stunningly beautiful; it's more developed by way of visitors centers and services; there's more lodging nearby; you can hike, backpack and camp; it's easier to access; it's more centrally located for Arizona visitors; and it offers more activity and tour variety.
The North Rim is a very remote destination there is very limited lodging and services, and one visitors center. There is little variety among the activities and tours offered; there are few if any commercial tours to the North Rim, and once there, activities are typically limited to camping, hiking, walking, mule rides and river rafting. If you're willing to make the trek, the North Rim's beautiful rugged views and trails do offer world-class hiking, backpacking, camping and river rafting opportunities, which makes the North Rim a fantastic choice for visitors who seek a more primeval, natural, quiet and uncrowded Grand Canyon experience.
The South Rim is open year-round. The North Rim is open from mid-May through mid-October. Weather extremes and moderates occur at all three rims at different times of year.
To put it simply, popularity, availability of services, ease of proximity and weather are some of the major considerations when deciding whether the South Rim or the North Rim is right for you.
I really like Busskipper but this image is way too much Photoshop!
Forget the North Rim. You see but about 10% of the Grand Canyon...go to South Rim. Yup, more crowds and so much more to do and see. Do NOT skip Grand Canyon.
Spend more time at Bryce and less at Zion. More beautiful hiking there. Do not miss hiking Queens Garden.
I could go on and on about CO - we love it. We spent 8 weeks there this summer into mid Sept. Ouray and Red Mountain Pass will blow you away. We already have reservations in many places for next year.
Speaking of reservations.....many of the places you are going are in very high demand and I strongly suggest you firm you plans up and make some reservations. If plans change, cancellation fees are nothing compared to driving around trying to find a place to stay. Spend your time seeing what you went there for and not looking for a place to stay.
We have part time RV'd 19 years and been to over 190 rv parks here in the western states; feel free to email or PM me if you would like.
Get to Capitol Reef if you can; one of our favorites.
We lived in Estes 8 years and would not go back again; have not in years. Love RMNP but the zoo in Estes itself is not worth it. And pine beetle has destroyed many of the beautiful trees. Forget going to the west side - very limited in Park things and anything else. Less crowds, yes; there is a reason.
Enjoy!
Lauren
Forget the North Rim. You see but about 10% of the Grand Canyon...go to South Rim. Yup, more crowds and so much more to do and see. Do NOT skip Grand Canyon.
Spend more time at Bryce and less at Zion. More beautiful hiking there. Do not miss hiking Queens Garden.
I could go on and on about CO - we love it. We spent 8 weeks there this summer into mid Sept. Ouray and Red Mountain Pass will blow you away. We already have reservations in many places for next year.
Speaking of reservations.....many of the places you are going are in very high demand and I strongly suggest you firm you plans up and make some reservations. If plans change, cancellation fees are nothing compared to driving around trying to find a place to stay. Spend your time seeing what you went there for and not looking for a place to stay.
We have part time RV'd 19 years and been to over 190 rv parks here in the western states; feel free to email or PM me if you would like.
Get to Capitol Reef if you can; one of our favorites.
We lived in Estes 8 years and would not go back again; have not in years. Love RMNP but the zoo in Estes itself is not worth it. And pine beetle has destroyed many of the beautiful trees. Forget going to the west side - very limited in Park things and anything else. Less crowds, yes; there is a reason.
Enjoy!
Lauren
flintsters wrote:
Okay, so this is my thinking right now. If it's going to be too exposed and hot in Moab then I'm leaning towards skipping that, especially since there will be lots of other rock viewing/hiking on the trip. I keep hearing about how crazy Estes Park is so I'll scrape that idea as well. Is a first stop at Colorado Springs worth it? The primary reason for it is Pikes Peak Cog. I was thinking from there either head deeper into CO and go to Ouray and then down to Durango/Mesa Verde or we can go to Great Sand Dunes, Buena Vista, and then Durango/Mesa Verde. I guess I'm looking for help to decide between Ouray and Buena Vista areas and whether CO Springs is a worthwhile stop. I also think I'm going to stop at Park City Utah for a couple of nights to break things up for the kids. This is what it looks like as of right now....thoughts?
The Springs are Not one of My favorite spots - (Might just be me) so I'd suggest Golden as the destination - On the Creek - water - city - things for the girls and DW before you head into the Back woods.
Then out I-70 - to RT 91 to Leadville/Buena Vista then on to Ouray - with the options of a lot - Sand Dunes - Black Canyon - Collegiates.......Easy drive Beautiful - reservation in Golden Clear Creek - Possibly do Peak to Peak to at least see RMNP.
?
