I've been flying the Grand Canyon area from Triangle Airpark, just Southeast of Las Vegas for a few years. My experience has been that the Flagstaff area overdevelops frequently. It's a little drier North of there, near the canyon. The lift is strong like the great basin and a lot of fun. Yesterday looked like a good day for a triangle around the canyon. Unfortunately I was in the work plane.

It's often a struggle from Triangle until getting to the Music Mountains near the Grand Canyon where the lift gets really good.

Cliff Hilty has a lot more experience in Northern Arizona than I do and would be good to talk to if you want the fly the area.

Jim Dingess