No Grand Canyon in 2009 for me.

This was the last month this year I was trying to make reservation for the Phantom Ranch,and again,no luck.
I believe now that at least 90% of the world population calls that number the 1st of the month,so by the time you're lucky enough to actually reach a human being,all places in the dorms or cabins are gone.Going to try again next year


I got myself a ticket to Phoenix instead,April 2009, short 10 day trip.
Now I have to decide what I do,see new Mexico,or Utah....or something else.

Michigan is cool, it would be just like where ever you live but with americans.

1300ZUK wrote:Michigan is cool, it would be just like where ever you live but with americans.

I always have been under the impression I would prefer crashing halfway,lets say on Greenland,then getting outside a Michigan airterminal.
Of course,I could be wrong.

Maybe next time...I think I prefer a bit more sun,and a bit more landscape this time.
Again.



And someone ffs moves this to another section.....

Sorry to hear about it pete. It took several attempts just to get resevervations at bright angel campground, nevermind phantom ranch.

Its worth it though...

Pete we could meet up at State Line (Primm Nevada).I go there quite a bit.Not as crowded as Vegas at all.Small town in the middle of nowhere 3 casinos,you don't have to drive anywhere they have a monorail connecting each casino.I stay at Buffalo Bills and have a blast.I just went about a month ago.Rooms are about $26 Sun-Thurs. and Fri. and sat. is $36 a nite.Easy to get to from Pheonix.
http://www.primmvalleyresorts.com/home

ryguy79 wrote:Sorry to hear about it pete. It took several attempts just to get resevervations at bright angel campground, nevermind phantom ranch.

Its worth it though...

I know Ry, I will try again next year,April/may and September/October.
I hear about people calling almost 5 years before the have a reservation,so I have to be patient I guess.

Bluntman wrote:Pete we could meet up at State Line (Primm Nevada).I go there quite a bit.Not as crowded as Vegas at all.Small town in the middle of nowhere 3 casinos,you don't have to drive anywhere they have a monorail connecting each casino.I stay at Buffalo Bills and have a blast.I just went about a month ago.Rooms are about $26 Sun-Thurs. and Fri. and sat. is $36 a nite.Easy to get to from Pheonix.
http://www.primmvalleyresorts.com/home

Sounds good,if I go that way instead of NM,I will let you know and we meet.

Oh,and I just rented a Jeep Liberty,to complete the fun.

You don't want to fly all that way just to go to Utah Pete - nothing but Mormons and dirt there. Maybe you could hit up the PNW and see Aristotle for us? Alternatively Banff is pretty cool.

pete, do they only allow you to book 1yr in advance? would they let you reserve a room for, say, 2010 right now?

also, pete, you should visit san francisco, if you've never been there. really cool place.

Pete.Z wrote:Oh,and I just rented a Jeep Liberty,to complete the fun.

Aristotle wrote:also, pete, you should visit san francisco, if you've never been there. really cool place.

+1 Even if you have... I say go back.

Aristotle wrote:pete, do they only allow you to book 1yr in advance? would they let you reserve a room for, say, 2010 right now?

Each first of the month,they take reservations for the same month next year.
So,oct.1st 2008,you can make reservations for oct.1/31 2009.
This Phantom Ranch only,alternative would be trying to get a back country permit and take a tent with me....

Aristotle wrote:also, pete, you should visit san francisco, if you've never been there. really cool place.

Been there in 1984,2004 and 2006, and I love it.

But this trip,I want to try see a few things I never saw before.
Right now,I think it's going to be new mexico.

Pete.Z wrote:

Aristotle wrote:also, pete, you should visit san francisco, if you've never been there. really cool place.

Been there in 1984,2004 and 2006, and I love it.

But this trip,I want to try see a few things I never saw before.
Right now,I think it's going to be new mexico.

ahh. cool.

you should definitely go to new mexico or drive some of the scenic roads in the mountains of utah. i'm sure the landscape will be quite a bit different from what you're used to.

Pete.Z wrote:

Aristotle wrote:pete, do they only allow you to book 1yr in advance? would they let you reserve a room for, say, 2010 right now?

Each first of the month,they take reservations for the same month next year.
So,oct.1st 2008,you can make reservations for oct.1/31 2009.
This Phantom Ranch only,alternative would be trying to get a back country permit and take a tent with me....

damn.

Aristotle wrote:

Pete.Z wrote:

Aristotle wrote:also, pete, you should visit san francisco, if you've never been there. really cool place.

Been there in 1984,2004 and 2006, and I love it.

But this trip,I want to try see a few things I never saw before.
Right now,I think it's going to be new mexico.

ahh. cool.

you should definitely go to new mexico or drive some of the scenic roads in the mountains of utah. i'm sure the landscape will be quite a bit different from what you're used to.

You bet it is.
I like Utah,been to Zion and surroundings before,would love to see Bryce,Canyonlands,Arches,that route would be cool to do when I leave from,and return to,Phoenix.

I only have 8 days,clean driving time,so I can't be to ambitious this year.

TheWoerus wrote:You don't want to fly all that way just to go to Utah Pete - nothing but Mormons and dirt there. Maybe you could hit up the PNW and see Aristotle for us? Alternatively Banff is pretty cool.

Been to Utah?

Aristotle wrote:

Pete.Z wrote:

Aristotle wrote:pete, do they only allow you to book 1yr in advance? would they let you reserve a room for, say, 2010 right now?

Each first of the month,they take reservations for the same month next year.
So,oct.1st 2008,you can make reservations for oct.1/31 2009.
This Phantom Ranch only,alternative would be trying to get a back country permit and take a tent with me....

damn.

It took us 3 years of trying off and on to get a backcountry permit for dates that would work and wound up having to go in the hottest time of year.

i didn't realize it was that tough to get a place near the canyon. the brady bunch made me think you just drive out there and do whatever.

its just a supply and demand thing. not a whole lot of campsites/cabins down there and a hell of a lot of visitors.

ryguy79 wrote:

TheWoerus wrote:You don't want to fly all that way just to go to Utah Pete - nothing but Mormons and dirt there. Maybe you could hit up the PNW and see Aristotle for us? Alternatively Banff is pretty cool.

Been to Utah?

I never saw Bryce,Arches,Canyonland or Moab,was in the area 3 times,never had enough time for a visit.
I figure I can drive up from Phoenix and back in 8 days,and see a few of those places.

ryguy79 wrote:

TheWoerus wrote:You don't want to fly all that way just to go to Utah Pete - nothing but Mormons and dirt there. Maybe you could hit up the PNW and see Aristotle for us? Alternatively Banff is pretty cool.

Been to Utah?

OK, yeah. It's pretty cool.

Pete.Z wrote:

ryguy79 wrote:

TheWoerus wrote:You don't want to fly all that way just to go to Utah Pete - nothing but Mormons and dirt there. Maybe you could hit up the PNW and see Aristotle for us? Alternatively Banff is pretty cool.

Been to Utah?

I never saw Bryce,Arches,Canyonland or Moab,was in the area 3 times,never had enough time for a visit.
I figure I can drive up from Phoenix and back in 8 days,and see a few of those places.

i've only been to moab and arches but it was fantastic. trying to plan a spring trip to moab with some of my mountain biking friends.

Utah or New Mexico,it's a good thing I have 6 months to think.

Northern New Mexico is nice. Santa Fe, Taos, Los Alamos...all interesting trips. If you go to NM I can recommend some fantastic drives.