Grand Canyon, AZ.

Author Message   I. Haynes New member Username: Norsseman Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2009 Posted From: 64.136.27.227 Posted on Sunday, March 07, 2010 - 06:37 pm:    Between 1983 and 1994 I stayed at the GCN 10 times. There is a Camp Ground at the South Rim, and several Lodges the El Tovar being the most expensive, and even a Sports Bar at another Lodge. We hiked in on the Bright Angel Trail many times, that is the Trail the Mules take. There is a 200 pound limit for the mules which includes back pack. The mules stop 1/2 way into the Canyon at Indian Gardens. For Hikers there is water available at one location before Indian Gardens on the way in. After Indian Gardens Hikers and smelly Mules decend further into the Canyon taking the Devil's Cork Screw part of the Trail. When you get to the bottom of the Canyon there is a bridge to cross the Colorado River over to Phantom ranch where there is lodging and meals. To Stay at Phantom Ranch you need to get your reservation in 1 year in advance. The elevation at the bottom is only 600 feet and the top of the South Rim is 7000+feet. Hiking out in the warmer months is difficult with many Hikers overheating (the record temperature at the bottom is 120 Officially). The water temperature of the Colorado is very cold because it comes out from underneath Glen Canyon Dam. The water is usually brown, but clears up if it hasn't rained in several days. On the other side of the Canyon at the North Rim there is a beautiful Lodge at 8000 + ft. There is a trail to the bottom of the Canyon there also. Fort Tuthill was built by Navy Sea Bees and is mostly very small huts, well built but lacking many amenities. Good dry sauna and large fire pit, community showers.   Carole G Member Username: Greengal Post Number: 11 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 68.205.151.181 Posted on Friday, February 26, 2010 - 11:22 pm:    We stayed in the hotel at Fort Tuthill in 2001 and it was o.k. I don't know about the cabins. That was awhile ago so the hotel could be crummy now Garland...... Route 89/89A is a very crooked road but quite scenic. After you get into Sedona the road straightens out. Happy Travels Carole   Richard Steiner Member Username: Cgeidl Post Number: 7 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 68.109.145.134 Posted on Friday, February 26, 2010 - 08:02 pm:    Mervin, I am sure you are correct about the lodge a few years ago and maybe it is still adequate lodging today.We were in a cabin and it was the grubbiest lodging in the military we have stayed in. We talked to the maintenance people and they said they did not have funding to fix things although a much more than needed TV's had been ordered. Quite frankly I would not stay in the cabins until fixed if they were free.   Garland Summerall Advanced Member Username: Garland Post Number: 231 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 206.251.5.219 Posted on Thursday, February 25, 2010 - 02:35 am:    My granddaughter lives in Prescott Valley. What kind of rt is 89 or 89A? Thanks, Garland   Peter Vermilyea Member Username: Pvermilyea Post Number: 21 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 65.203.132.66 Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 05:53 pm:    I live about 10 min from Ft. Tuthill. Email me at pvermilyea1@homail.com if you have questions about the area.   Mervin J LeBlanc Senior Member Username: Merv Post Number: 452 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 98.66.65.173 Posted on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 - 04:04 pm:    Richard - From your description, it's not the Ft Tuthill I remember staying at a few years ago. The wife and I booked a room in the lodge, and found it very clean and comfortable. We also found it was a great jumping off spot for Sedona Canyon; Walnut Canyon N.M.; Montezuma Castle N.M.; The Grand Canyon and the Indian Reservations.   William Standage Senior Member Username: Charlie13 Post Number: 1004 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 75.172.63.161 Posted on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 05:25 am:    Just vending machines, and a very small tourist type counter to buy candy bars, chips, postcards, tshirts, etc. 3 miles up Interstate 17 are all the standard commercial food operations you would expect to find in a big town like Flagstaff which has a fair sized university (NAU).   Garland Summerall Advanced Member Username: Garland Post Number: 229 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 206.251.5.219 Posted on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 02:42 am:    Is there any food service at Ft Tuthill?   Garland Summerall Advanced Member Username: Garland Post Number: 228 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 206.251.5.219 Posted on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 02:22 am:    90 miles to Grand Canyon.   Richard Steiner Junior Member Username: Cgeidl Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 68.109.145.134 Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 03:10 am:    We booked 4 nights in one of the cabins last year. Beds were uncomfortable and place was rather crubby. We left after one night and explained why we were leaving. No refund was given for the unused nights even thought he place was almost empty.Talked to the officer in charge but it was togh luck. Would stay elsewhere and it is too far from the canyon.   Phil Doubleman Senior Member Username: Phil Post Number: 1465 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.35.71.161 Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 01:55 pm:    If your talking "military base" in the traditional sense, the answer is no. Fort Tuthill is a recreational area.   Sukhui Roark Member Username: Lmnop Post Number: 11 Registered: 04-2007 Posted From: 75.40.36.250 Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 02:44 am:    Thanks, it was very helpful!!! Sukhui   Dakota Ray Advanced Member Username: Rhammer Post Number: 357 Registered: 05-2007 Posted From: 69.62.147.217 Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 02:33 am:    Hi Sukhui, The closest that I know is at Fort Tuthill. See http://www.forttuthill.com/ It is a recreational facility controlled by Luke AFB. I was through there abut 20 months ago. I stayed in Flagstaff and was driving to Sadona and came across Fort Tuthill signs. It is some distance from the Grand Canyon but appeared to be adequate lodging with OK amenities. I talked to the billeting office and they indicated that they many times have availability even if the web site indicates that they have none. There were BOQ type facilities and also A Frame type lodging for families. Give them a call. Support facilities are limited. Have Fun in the area and Happy Trails!   Garland Summerall Advanced Member Username: Garland Post Number: 226 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 206.251.5.219 Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 02:25 am:    Check Fort Tuthill.Located just outside Flagstaff Az.#928-774-8893   Sukhui Roark Member Username: Lmnop Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2007 Posted From: 75.40.36.250 Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 02:13 am:    We are planning to take a vacation to the Grand Canyon this summer. Is there a military base near the Grand Canyon? Thanks, Sukhui