California 12th October

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Tuesday 12th October Weather Sunny 72/35

Grand Canyon and Flagstaff
Overview

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park one of the first national parks in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt  was a major proponent of preservation of the Grand Canyon area, and visited it on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, ranges in width from 4 to 18 miles (6.4 to 29 km) and attains a depth of over a mile (1.83 km) (6000 feet). Nearly two billion years of the Earth's geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted.While the specific geologic processes and timing that formed the Grand Canyon are the subject of debate by geologists, recent evidence suggests the Colorado River established its course through the canyon at least 17 million years ago. Since that time, the Colorado River continued to erode and form the canyon to the point we see it as today. Before European immigration, the area was inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon ("Ongtupqa" in Hopi language) a holy site and made pilgrimages to it. The first European known to have viewed the Grand Canyon was García López de Cárdenas from Spain, who arrived in 1540.

Sedona

Often called "Red Rock Country" Sedona is a four seasons playground for everyone - whether you're into history and archeology; arts and culture; shopping; outdoor sports; or the spiritual and metaphysical, imagine doing all this in a backdrop of some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
This picturesque city is surrounded by red-rock monoliths named Coffeepot, Cathedral and Thunder Mountain. At the north end of the city is the stunning Oak Creek Canyon, a breathtaking chasm that is wildly wonderful.


Flagstaff

The first permanent settlement was in 1876, when Thomas F. McMillan built a cabin at the base of Mars Hill on the west side of town. During the 1880s, Flagstaff began to grow, opening its first post office and attracting the rail road industry. The early economy was based on timber, sheep andcattle. By 1886, Flagstaff was the largest city on the railroad line between Albuquerque and the west coast of the United States. At 7,000 feet (2,130 m) elevation, located adjacent to the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in North America, the area around Flagstaff is considered a high altitude semi-desert. However, ecosystems ranging from pinon-juniper studded plateaus, high desert, green alpine forest and barren tundra can all be found within a short drive of Flagstaff.

The Journey

Leaving Phoenix, we are travelling on route 17 towards the Black Canyon, then onwards to our first stop at Sedona (09.15). On leaving Sedona we travel through the scenic drive of Oak Creek Canyon and start the climb towards Flagstaff and then on to the Grand Canyon, on arrival at the airport all fliers will be checked in for the helicopter or fixed wing flights (12.30). Those not flying will be transferred to Bright Angel Lodge (13.00) for sightseeing and lunch, the fliers will then also be transferred to Bright Angel, later you will have the chance to view the great Canyon Story at the Imax, before we leave for Flagstaff and our hotel the Radisson Woodlands (18.30).



Departure Details

Wednesday 13th October



Bags OUTSIDE doors by 07.15

Depart for Las Vegas 08.15



Our first stop is at Williams Railway Station of watch the cowboy shoot out, and watch the departure of the Grand Canyon Train. A short stop in Seligman, for those that may be interested in the route 66 memorabilia, onwards towards Kingman for lunch stop, beside a Walmart Superstore, there are a number of fast food restaurants close by. In the afternoon we continue the journey to Las Vegas arriving at our (on the strip) Hotel, the Flamingo at approx 16.00.



Have a great day at the Grand Canyon.




Richard
1-702-557-2373

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