Summer in the city is always an invitation to escape. What better place to marvel at nature, take in mesmerizing scenery and view sweeping vistas than the Grand Canyon? Just an hour from Flagstaff to the South Rim, the Canyon offers visitors a plethora of potential adventures such as hiking, bird watching, fossil walks, day and evening park programs, train rides, mule rides and much more. Even a one-day trip can be an enthralling adventure.
The perfect kick-off for your visit is watching an appropriately titled movie: “Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder.” Shown at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, the movie is only 20 minutes long and starts on the hour and half hour.
Scenic Overlooks
Ride the shuttle bus to explore nine awe-inspiring overlooks along the seven-mile Hermit Road. Or drive along the 25-mile Desert View Drive as you wind around the Colorado River for more awesome scenery.
One-Day Rafting Excursions
Limited time? The Canyon’s one-day rafting trips will give you a sampling of the Canyon’s grandeur combined with the thrill of one of nature’s most exciting rides. Accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable native Hualapi river guide, you begin your adventure soaking up the scenery of the Hualapai Indian Reservation along Diamond Creek. As you enter the waters of the Colorado River, currents whisk you to the shore for a short hike to Travertine Falls. Have your waterproof camera ready to capture all the beauty! After 10 miles, a picnic lunch awaits along the riverbank.
The last leg of your journey takes things down a notch or two, affording ample opportunity for pictures of wildlife as the raft ride becomes more leisurely. A helicopter ride rounds out the trip (weather permitting), and then it’s just a short bus ride back to Peach Springs.
Hiking
To experience unbeatable and spectacular views, the South Kaibab Trail delivers a knockout punch. Rated as difficult, it is a steep and rugged 1.8-mile round trip, but is known to be worth the exertion. Within a half mile you will reach the aptly named Oooh Ahh Point, 600 feet below. This hike in not recommended for children as it has steep drop-offs.
If you are leaning toward a more leisurely stroll at one level, check out the Rim Trail – 12 mostly paved miles that won’t leave you panting. This is the perfect introduction to the canyon with no compromise on scenery. If you want to alternate hiking and riding the shuttle bus, there are several shuttles stops along the way to experience overlooks and switch between foot and motorized transport.
Nearby Camping
For those who want to maximize the outdoor experience, check out Munds Park. This all-inclusive camping venue just south of Flagstaff provides delightfully cool weather, as well as the tree-studded scenery Flagstaff is famous for. They accommodate campers, recreational vehicles and seasonal residents, making it the perfect summer retreat at 6,700 feet! It’s ideally located as a jumping off point for visits to the Canyon, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater and numerous hiking trails.
THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION
Jews were raised in the wilderness with water and earth, so what better place to complement Judaism than the Canyon and surrounding areas? These two Flagstaff congregations offer unique and custom-tailored sojourns to the Canyon as well as “meals on wheels.”
Chabad of Flagstaff
Rabbi Dovi Shapiro of the Flagstaff Chabad Center says many people from all over the world and the United States contact them throughout the year to arrange for Shabbat dinner visits while touring the Canyon and nearby parks. “They come to our home for a delicious dinner of soup, fish, salad and desserts,” he says, “as well as singing and a discussion of the current Torah portion. In addition they can join us for services at 10 am on Saturday morning. “People are always amazed to find a vibrant community in Flagstaff, and it is a great treat to have a spiritual experience while on vacation.”
The center also provides takeout meals for those wanting to keep kosher while on the road. Reservations are necessary and donations are welcome.
Congregation Heichal Baoranim For 40 years, this Reform Flagstaff congregation has been serving the needs of Reform Jews as well as Conservative,
Orthodox and all others. They pride themselves on being an eclectic mix and welcome visitors from around the world. Spiritual leader Rabbi Nina Perlmutter has a multifaceted background in Jewish eco-theology and is a strong advocate for the interconnectedness among nature, conservation and Jewish spirituality.
Throughout the year she leads groups of various sizes to the Canyon for retreats, hikes, Jewish meditation packages and river rides. In addition, she performs life-cycle events such as weddings and bar and bat mitzvahs at the Canyon. “I know of no other place that can so quickly bring us to the source of our ancestors, using earth, air and water to connect to God,” she says.
Melissa Hirschl is a Gilbert-based freelance writer as well as a multi-media artist. She has written for a variety of publications in the Phoenix area as well as New York. She has a husband and two young adult children, all of whom are active outdoor enthusiasts.
CONTACTS:
Congregation Heichal Baoranim | 2609 N. Patterson Blvd., Flagstaff | 928-527-8747 | heichalbaoranim.org
Chabad Flagstaff | 1254 W. University Ave., Flagstaff | 928-255-5756 | jewishflagstaff.com
Grand Canyon info:
Park information: nps.gov/grca
Raft trips: oars.com/grandcanyon
Camping at Munds Park: 928-286-1309
