Arizona Rocks Tours » Things To Do in Northern Arizona

National Park Week!

Joe Holman — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:54:04 +0000

Don’t miss out on the celebration of National Park week at the Grand Canyon April 16-24, 2011. Entrance fees will be waived for the week, so this is a great opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon! You can get more information here.

Another Fun Day…. on the Rio! Video!

Joe Holman — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:45:32 +0000

You wouldn’t know you’re in Arizona when you float the Verde River. A lush riparian environment surrounds you with flora and fauna. Great blue herons abound; red winged blackbirds screech; beavers and otters hide in the cattails. Armed with water canons, we make our way down the mighty (…umm) Verde. Alliances form as all engage in a huge water war. In this video, the trip ends on the grounds of a winery, and all do a wonderful wine tasting (sans guide, who is schlepping boats)! Join us for a truly memorable trip.

Snow Cap- An Historic Route 66 Landmark

Joe Holman — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:01:37 +0000

Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, AZ was established by Juan and Mary Delgadillo in 1953 along Route 66. The building was built by Juan, with the help of his father and his brothers, out of scrap lumber he collected while working for the railroad. Juan retired from the railroad and worked everyday at the Snow Cap until the day he died, June 2, 2004 at the age of 88. Juan became well known through many magazines and newspaper articles as one of the co-founders of Historic Route 66. He was cherished by tourists for the antics he pulled on them while they were trying to order food and drinks. Many people still stop by and say that the place is the same as it was when they came by as a young person.Today, visitors from Europe, Germany, Japan and other countries, as well as those from the United States seek the nostalgia of Historic Route 66 and the jokes that are famous at the Snow Cap. Juan and Mary’s son John and daughter Cecilia, along with other family members are continuing the tradition so their grandchildren and great grandchildren will be able to grow up knowing the legacy that comes with this family business. Stop by and meet John and Cecilia while you enjoy a beautiful ride down Historic Route 66. We always stop on our tours for ice cream and the wonderful atmosphere at Snow Cap; home of the “Cheeseburger with Cheese” and “Dead Chicken”!

Grand Canyon North Rim To Open This Weekend!

Joe Holman — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:51:13 +0000

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon will finally reopen after seven months of closure. Each year the North Rim closes on October 15th and reopens on May 15. Highway 67 will reopen by 7 a.m. Saturday morning and Ranger programs will begin that afternoon. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also begin their summer operations. the Visitor Center, campground, and backcountry permitting office, along with the Grand Canyon Association bookstore will all open at 8 a.m. The summer really gets into swing at the Grand Canyon when the entire park is open, and that starts this weekend!

We know every year when the “season” begins with the opening of the North Rim. The North Rim is further from the river than the South Rim, and is over 1,000 feet higher in elevation. Views and hiking are spectacular. Don’t miss out on this seldom visited view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World! For more information and reservation phone numbers visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

New tour to the historic Hopi villages

Joe Holman — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:37:55 +0000

We have added a spectacular tour of the historic Hopi villages. The homeland of the Hopi is steeped in history and culture. We will visit all three mesas and walk through some truly extraordinary villages. You will get to meet the Hopi people and learn about their culture on a personal level. Climb aboard and have the experience of a lifetime! Historic Hopi Villages

Thinking of Hiking the Grand Canyon? Things You Need To Know!

Joe Holman — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:39:51 +0000

Hiking in the Grand Canyon is a spectacular experience for both the novice and experienced hiker. You do need to know, however, that hiking in the Grand Canyon is unlike any other hiking experience most people have undertaken. Whether it’s a short day hike, or a trip to the river for camping and back, this will be something you never forget!

From personal experience (see Grand Canyon hike pics), I can tell you that your mental attitude about the hike is paramount. Many people are fearful when contemplating a hike into the canyon. “Can I make it?” “How far can I make it?” Questions abound, and can sometimes discourage an otherwise healthy person from having a truly special adventure. Keep a positive attitude. Don’t over do it!. The number one mistake in doing a Grand Canyon hike is not taking enough water. This cannot be stressed enough! You must take adequate water to keep you hydrated. Many hikers have died because they became dehydrated. Do not attempt to hike to the river and back in a single day! This is a serious mistake. I will include some links here that will warn you about the amount of water you need to take, and where water is available. Watch the video here. It will also give you some tips.

Make sure you have appropriate shoes to do the hike. Many of the trails are unmaintained. Loose rock, sand, and debris may be on the trail. Have good water bottles. Keep your pack light. A heavy pack just gets heavier on the way up. Figure on twice the time to get up that it took to get down! Don’t turn your great hike into a very expensive helicopter ride. Use of trekking sticks can greatly reduce the strain on your knees. Believe me, the South Kaibab Trail will eat your knees alive. Take your time.

The three most popular trails to the Colorado River are the Bright Angel Trail, the South Kaibab Trail, and the North Kaibab Trail. Follow those links for more information about these trails provided by the NPS in .pdf format. There are hundreds of trails in the Grand Canyon. Many make for nice, easy day hikes. A great place to find trails you might like is at Trails.com. Use this site to search for moderate and difficult hikes in the Grand Canyon, also.

I would recommend to anyone and everyone who is healthy enough, to experience a hike down into the Grand Canyon; whether it’s a half mile or 20 miles. This is often a “once in a lifetime” adventure. Don’t pass it up. Be safe, have fun, and enjoy your National Parks!