Sedona & Monument Valley by way of Grand Canyon.

[Becca]

So Byron and I are thinking of a 5 day trip to go to Sedona and Monument Valley and fly the Grand Canyon.

There's a lot of talk on here and various aviation boards about Sedona, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice about the Grand Canyon flight or which airport in the Monument Valley area to stop at (I think we're going to need a rental car).  Also any hotel suggestions, etc. (I know, there's only 3 hotels in Monument Valley.)

This is as far as my trip planning has gotten:

Thursday:  Fly from Houston to Sedona, spend night in Sedona
Friday:  Day in Sedona hiking, spend night in Sedona
Saturday:  Fly up the Grand Canyon and to Monument Valley (at sunset?), spend night at Monument Valley (the View Hotel?)
Sunday:  Day in Monument Valley, hiking, spend night there.
Monday:  Fly back to Houston.

Thanks for the advice!

[mooneyflyer]

Grand Canyon Flight -- Get the Grand Canyon Aeronautical Chart.  My favorites are the Fossil Canyon and Dragon Corridors.  You can fly North on one and then south on the other... Simply spectacular.  Then do yourself a favor and fly over Lake Powell, just north of Page, AZ... Amazing orange and white rock against the deep blue lake.  After Navajo Mountain (easy to locate) turn direct to Monument Valley airport (Gouldings Lodge), I think it's UT25.  Land to the south only and depart to the north only... there is transportation to the View Hotel.  There is little hiking in Monument Valley as the Navajo prefer to give guided jeep tours... 

Hope this was useful.