gregk
Member
Posts: 794
Retired
Chippewa Falls, wi.
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« on: July 18, 2015, 09:35:11 AM » |
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Years back heard the best place is in the south somewhere. ???
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« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2015, 11:21:24 AM » |
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North side is best if you don't want thousands of tourists.
But if you are on the south side it's LONG way around to the north side.
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2015, 11:29:32 AM » |
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The eastern edge of the park where the watchtower is . Not quite as many tourists but you are not going to avoid them no matter what.
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« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2015, 11:42:11 AM » |
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Absolutely, but man it's a long way over there ! As I stated above  |
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Serk
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« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2015, 12:07:40 PM » |
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Arizona.
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2015, 12:24:08 PM » |
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Was there in Feb. of last year. Thought the place was busy then but manageable. Can't imagine what it is like during the tourist season.
I'd say wait till the off season to see it.
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16770
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2015, 01:55:38 PM » |
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If you're on two wheels the run along the south side is a nice ride (and view) for a long, long ways. There are crowds. It's a special place. there aren't so many really special places that you can go without encountering a lot of other folks wanting to see it also.
If you're going to stop and hike down (morning and evening only, please) Bright Angel Trail is good.
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LandElephant
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« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2015, 02:25:51 PM » |
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From a helicopter. More spectacular and can get a real sense of how Grand the Grand Canyon really is. I agree with Britman that the north rim is better. The ride in is beautiful and there are less people.
Charlie Morse
Land Elephant
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desertrefugee
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« Reply #10 on: July 18, 2015, 03:59:35 PM » |
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Absolutely, but man it's a long way over there ! Been in, down and out, from both sides. Did Phantam Ranch from Kaibab and back in a day - quite a number of years ago. They'd have to helicopter me out now. Older, fatter. The North Rim is a long way around if you're starting from the south. But, if you're coming from the north, say Utah Canyon Country (think Bryce or Zion), it's much more direct. It is a remote place, though, with much fewer services than the south. And yes, the crowds are much smaller. But, more importantly, they're a different lot than the masses on the South Rim. They're more purposeful. I love the North Rim. Lots more vantage points with few or no people. A quick day hike down to Roaring Forks is within the capability of pretty much anyone in reasonable shape without a heart condition. If you don't have reservations, consider camping at Jacob's Lake. 30 miles north, but really nice. |
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'97 Bumble Bee, '78 GL1000, '79 CBX, '78 CB750F, '74 CB750
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Master Blaster
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« Reply #11 on: July 18, 2015, 04:16:39 PM » |
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Like above, the North Rim. Was there a few years ago, and there was a Condor on the hunt flying below us around the edges. Magnificent, and I loved the ride there from the south.
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"Nothing screams bad craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."
Gun controll is not about guns, its about CONTROLL.
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16684
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2015, 05:58:06 PM » |
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Hmmm, well this would be a trip to consider. I've flown the canyon before. Led a flight of Army helicopters coming back from an exercise we participated in near Death Valley. Was fun but, I can't say I saw the canyon from either rim. I don't think Army aviators are allowed to fly the canyon any more or at least that's what someone told me. Doesn't matter, Uncle Sugar won't let me fly his/yours any longer.  May have to plan a trip that direction. |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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gregk
Member
Posts: 794
Retired
Chippewa Falls, wi.
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« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2015, 07:29:41 PM » |
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Thanks, thanks, thanks !
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sandy
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« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2015, 10:10:47 PM » |
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In your other thread, you mentioned Vegas as a stop, I think. If so, definitely do the North rim. Remember when you turn South off the main road, it's 42 miles to the Canyon. Half way there is a gas station but keep the tank full. A most beautiful ride though.
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Woton
Member
Posts: 410
1997 Tourer Pearl Green/Pearl Ivory "BRNHLDE"
Central North Carolina
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« Reply #15 on: July 19, 2015, 06:09:17 AM » |
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Hey, Greg!
Good to see from your posts that you and Roberta are planning that anniversary trip. Two wheels, or four?
Not that it matters - The Grand Canyon is just an incredible location that is second only to Yellowstone in my (fortunately) still growing list of National Parks we've visited.
BikerGirl and I have visited the North and South Rims, rode the mules to/from Phantom Ranch, and rafted the canyon. Doesn't make me an expert, but I can offer an opinion.
If this is your first and possibly only trip to the canyon I would say go north from Flagstaff and see the South Rim. Great rides/walks/short trips all along that rim to see the sights. To me the vastness of the Canyon is evidenced more in the views from the South Rim. The North Rim is lovely and certainly less crowded, but I didn't get the feelings of grandeur that I got the first time I walked up to the South Rim and peered over the wall.
Just another thought...we did the North Rim on the Magnas years ago as part of a trip to/from Vegas where we rode what is called the Grand Circle of National Parks - Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches/Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, (Monument Valley), GC North Rim. Any of these parks is worth consideration for a visit on your anniversary adventure.
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"Ride Smart - Ride Safe"
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Robert
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« Reply #16 on: July 19, 2015, 06:10:44 AM » |
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From a helicopter. More spectacular and can get a real sense of how Grand the Grand Canyon really is. I agree with Britman that the north rim is better. The ride in is beautiful and there are less people.
Charlie Morse
Land Elephant
I agree with this once you do this then you can pick your own area to tour. |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8743
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #17 on: July 19, 2015, 06:40:41 AM » |
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From a helicopter. More spectacular and can get a real sense of how Grand the Grand Canyon really is. I agree with Britman that the north rim is better. The ride in is beautiful and there are less people.
+1
Charlie Morse
Land Elephant
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 Troy, MI |
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Woton
Member
Posts: 410
1997 Tourer Pearl Green/Pearl Ivory "BRNHLDE"
Central North Carolina
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« Reply #18 on: July 19, 2015, 06:51:57 AM » |
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OK, Greg... You decide North Rim  South Rim  OOOH!  Tougher decision than I thought... Pictures CAN'T capture it, Greg. |
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« Last Edit: July 19, 2015, 06:58:38 AM by Woton »
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"Ride Smart - Ride Safe"
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RP#62
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« Reply #19 on: July 19, 2015, 07:52:18 AM » |
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We decided to watch the sunset from the north rim one year. Sunset was beautiful but we didn't think this through though. After the sun goes down, there are scads of deer out up there and they aren't hunted there so they're not afraid of people. We needed to haul ass back up to Jacob's Lake to get gas before the gas station closed otherwise we wouldn't have enough to get to Page where we had a hotel booked. Hauling ass at night on 5 bikes with lots of deer is not a good mix. Since they don't let anyone in the park after dark, we fanned out across both lanes so we could light up the whole area and carefully hauled ass for 40 miles, speeding up in spurts between deer herds. It was definitely high adventure.
-RP
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jdp
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« Reply #20 on: July 19, 2015, 08:17:17 AM » |
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Anywhere is good, I've been to a few points and you won't be disappointed
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #21 on: July 19, 2015, 08:19:54 AM » |
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We decided to watch the sunset from the north rim one year. Sunset was beautiful but we didn't think this through though. After the sun goes down, there are scads of deer out up there and they aren't hunted there so they're not afraid of people. We needed to haul ass back up to Jacob's Lake to get gas before the gas station closed otherwise we wouldn't have enough to get to Page where we had a hotel booked. Hauling ass at night on 5 bikes with lots of deer is not a good mix. Since they don't let anyone in the park after dark, we fanned out across both lanes so we could light up the whole area and carefully hauled ass for 40 miles, speeding up in spurts between deer herds. It was definitely high adventure.
-RP
High adventure  I was thinking more like Roller Derby on bikes |
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desertrefugee
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« Reply #22 on: July 19, 2015, 02:54:27 PM » |
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Holy Cow! RP's not kidding. I can't believe you guys rode out of there at night. Heck, I was scared sh*tless going IN with my Westfalia a few years back. I've never seen so many deer on one road at night.
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'97 Bumble Bee, '78 GL1000, '79 CBX, '78 CB750F, '74 CB750
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houstone
Member
Posts: 377
Can't get enough...
Santa Fe, TX
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« Reply #23 on: July 20, 2015, 08:51:23 PM » |
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As Willow said, the ride along the south rim is easier, and longer, but what's really cool is that you can stop a bike in many places that a car can't. Then explore, carefully, some places that hardly anyone else will ever see. It's hard to miss at the Grand Canyon. If you happen to be heading near Amarillo, TX, try to swing by Palo Duro Canyon. I did them both in 48 hours and was really impressed with both!
Palo Duro has a road that you drive down through it. Spectacular!
Enjoy!
Jeff
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #24 on: July 21, 2015, 01:09:12 AM » |
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As Willow said, the ride along the south rim is easier, and longer, but what's really cool is that you can stop a bike in many places that a car can't. Then explore, carefully, some places that hardly anyone else will ever see. It's hard to miss at the Grand Canyon. If you happen to be heading near Amarillo, TX, try to swing by Palo Duro Canyon. I did them both in 48 hours and was really impressed with both!
Palo Duro has a road that you drive down through it. Spectacular!
Enjoy!
Jeff
I too have done both and Palo Duro is beautiful. Stayed in one of the 3 cabins there on the rim. Stopped on a Thursday night and asked if any were available. Was told they staay booked out completely, but they'd look. Puzzled ranger said all 3 were available that night and then booked solid. What a view sitting on top of the cabin flat roof with my wife and a bottle of vino watching the sun set. |
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