>Julie writes ...
>
>Be aware that there is a trail on the west rim drive, which is
>actually (wheel chair) accessible. I think out to Hermit's rest.
Nope, there are only short segments of paved 'trail' around some of the
overlooks, many with steps that you can't access in a wheelchair. Once
you get past Hopi Point the last 5 miles or so of the West Rim drive
out to Hermit's Rest doesn't have much of a trail at all, you have to
walk on the shoulder of the road. Good luck in the wheel chair.
There is a decent paved trail heading in each direction from Mather
Point (not on the west rim drive) with good overlooks that would be
suited for a wheel chair, I think it goes all the way to the visitor
center at Yavapai Pt, maybe a couple of miles total. But you're at
about 7,200 ft so it's easy to get tired pushing a wheel chair if
you're not used to the altitude.
>And I disagree with most folks. If you have any interest in the history
>of the place or on the geology, there is lots to do to fill 5 days if you
>want to.
The Park Service used to do annual visitor surveys to find out how
people actually spent their time in the park. I forget the exact
numbers, but the average time spent inside the park boundary was under
4 hours, with about 3 hours of that spent driving around or in the gift
shops or eateries, and surprisingly little time actually spent on the
overlooks "interfacing" with the canyon scenery or visiting the
educational displays. Unless you're down in the canyon hiking or
running the river most people run out of things to do real fast on the
rim.
Bill
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