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Published: August 9th 2014
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At almost 300 miles long, 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep, the Grand Canyon is a sight to behold. So breathtaking was the landscape that the Pueblo Indians proclaimed it a holy site, thus attesting to the magnitude of its grandeur. While most visitors enjoy this Natural Wonder of the World in a day (often using Las Vegas as a jumping point) you cannot truly absorb its beauty in an afternoon, so plan an extended stay at a nearby hotel for at least a couple of days.
But if the wild isn't your thing and you merely intend to check this off the bucketlist--as was the case for Kristina and me--prepare to arrive at the park by noon to allow for sufficient time to explore. If Sin City is the starting point, you must leave by 8 a.m. to reach the South Rim before lunch. The drive is quite bland and the only major towns in between are Williams and Kingman (cheap gas). Once you're in the park, which costs $25 per car to enter, make sure to keep straight along Center Road to park at the Grand Canyon Village since this is the hub for all the
free shuttles. From here, you can pick which shuttle to take to your desired destination.
There are several routes, but the most popular if you're in a time crunch is the Red Route to Hermit's Rest, which may be the most scenic. This is an 80-minute round-trip ride from the Village to Hermit's Rest and back. There are almost a dozen stops along this road, but only Hopi Point (4th stop) has toilets and Hermit's Rest (last stop) has toilets and restaurants. A convenient aspect of these shuttles is that you can hop on and off as pleased, and you may also disembark at one stop, say Powell Point, walk a short 0.3 miles or 10 minutes to the next, Hopi Point, then board the shuttle to continue your journey, affording you the opportunity to soak in the views and fresh air at a leisurely pace.
You may also wish to check out the Orange Route, which is 50 minutes round-trip that takes you from Yaki Point to Yavapai Geology Museum. You will stop at the very popular Mather Point along the way, which visitors tout as one of the best in the park. The Blue Route is
merely a transport system for people staying at the lodges and hotels on site, but if you find yourself taking a break at Market Plaza for some souvenir shopping and food, this is the route that will take you back to the Village where you can transfer to the Red or Orange.
Locals who are very familiar with the Grand Canyon claim the North Rim is even more spectacular, but as tourists, the north end is too difficult to reach that a trek there would involve multiple days and proper planning for accommodation and transportation. Hence, first time visitors are advised against visiting the North Rim, but if you do, expect seclusion and make certain you have reliable sources of food, water, and other necessities. Another possible destination in the park is the recently built and wildly popular, horseshoe-shaped glass floor overhanging the canyon, the SkyWalk. However, admission costs a hefty $70 and it's located on the far West side of the canyon near the Colorado River, which may pose an issue for a day trip from Vegas. But if time and money is not a problem, make the drive out here by car or fly by helicopter from Nevada.
Kristina and I visited for a day, which inhibited the scope of activities and sites we could visit. Of the vistas we did come across, my favorite was Powell Point on the Red Route where the steps offer a great panoramic. In retrospect, the various viewpoints appear similar after awhile, so every stop is a good stop. The best quality of the Canyon is that its beauty resonates with people from every age and culture, because a natural wonder like this isn't found at just any park. It's definitely a must-see before you die, even if just for a few hours.
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