I was going to post this under the atlanta to grand canyon thread since i'm doing the same trip, but thought i'd start a new thread since i'd like everyones input on my schedule. I've been planning this trip for a while and in fact have already made hotel reservations at several stops along the way.
I plan on doing a lot of hiking on this trip and have been trying to workout in preperation of this trip. however, the first hike i went on this year in georgia which had a 1750 foot gain in 2.2 miles, which i figured would simulate going up and down in the grand canyon. well i did the hike fine, but for the next week i could barely walk as some fluid seemed to build up in my left knee. So I'm definitely looking for some advice on non hiking activities in the areas i'm going to in case this happens on my trip. Any other advice would also be appreciated!
Schedule:
Day 1: Atlanta to Rayville, LA 477 miles
Day 2: Rayville, LA to Abilene, TX 487 miles
Day 3: Abilene, TX to Carlsbad, NM 291 miles
Guided Tour of Kings Palace in the afternoon
Self Guided tour of the Big Room if time
Day 4: Hike at Guadalupe Mountain National Park in the morning
Drive on to El Paso in the late afternoon
Day 5: Visit White Sands National Monument in the morning
Stop at a winery along I 10 possibly
Drive to Wilcox, AZ in the late afternoon
Day 6: Hike at Chiricahua in the morning
Maybe check out Tombstone, AZ in the afternoon
Drive to Tuscon
Go to a night viewing at Kitt Peak National Observatory
Day 7: Go to Sonora Desert Museum in the morning
Drive to Cottonwood, AZ in the afternoon
Day 8-9: Hike in the Cocino National Forest (potential hikes include Boynton Canyon trail, Devils Bridge, Lost Canyon, Deer Hill, Inner Basin Trail #29), visit montezuma castle and well.
Day 10: Drive to Williams, AZ
Grand Canyon: Hike 2-3 miles down on the Bright Angel Trail in the afternoon.
Day 11: Grand Canyon: Hike 2-3 miles down on the South Kaibab Trail
Day 12: Leave Williams hike at the Petrified Forrest....start heading back to Atlanta.
I was thinking about stopping off at either canyon de chelly, bandelier, chaco, or el malpais on the way home. not interested in a guided tour at the canyon de chelly thats why i'm leaning towards one of the other 3 choices.
Thanks for taking the time to read this long post!