As with any holiday weekend, it is busier than it would normally be in Nov. That being said, I love fall and winter in Grand Canyon. It is at 7000 feet, so snow is a real possibility in late Nov. Even if there is no snow, it will be cool to cold during the day, and cold at night so bring warm clothes.

And just a side note to GP, Grand Canyon doesn’t get hot like Phoenix. When I lived there we turned on our AC when the temp hit about 90 because that was hot to us.

It looks like Siberia, doesn’t it?

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Ant and I at Mathers Point. WE ALMOST MISSED OUR RIDE!!

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walking along the meandering rim trail, south rim, grand canyon village.

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Need a break from the Las Vegas Strip? Take a Grand Canyon Skywalk tour. The “glass bridge” is only 120 miles away and offers you the chance to go 70 feet past the edge and be 4,000 feet above the churning Colorado River.

How to Get There

The most popular ways to get to the Skywalk include bus, helicopter, airplane, and rental car. The most economical option is the bus, which is a 2.5-hour trip. The quickest way is the 25-minute airplane flight. Helicopters take 45 minutes. The most expensive choice is rental car, the fees for which add up quick because you are required to use a sport utility vehicle (high fuel and insurance costs).

The route to the glass bridge includes Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the U.S.; Hoover Dam bypass bridge, officially known as the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge; and the Grand Cliffs wash. Bus tours include a Hoover Dam photo stop. The last 10 miles to Grand Canyon West is over rough dirt road. I suggest that self-drivers rent a vehicle with GPS.

Why the Glass Bridge is Unique

The Skywalk is an engineering and technological marvel. The glass-bottomed cantilever structure extends 70 feet into the canyon’s chasm. Four-thousand feet below, the Colorado River roils. The bridge has been designed to withstand magnitude 8 earthquakes and support 71 fully loaded 747 airplanes. Even though the bridge was built to hold 800 people, the maximum occupancy is 120. The glass walkway consists of 46 panels that cost $250,000 each. Cell phones and cameras are banned from the Skywalk in order to prevent chipping and scrapping. You must wear cloth booties as well. Professional photographers are on site to take your picture.

How Much Does It Cost?

Compared to other Las Vegas attractions, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is a deal. There are three packages. You want the one called Legacy Gold. It includes Skywalk tickets plus unlimited access to Hualapai Ranch, Eagle and Guano Points, hiking trails, and the shuttle bus system. I’ve noticed a lot of promotions on the Internet that sell only Skywalk tickets. Don’t be duped. You must purchase the park pass, too.

I mentioned earlier that renting a car and self-driving to the Skywalk is the most expensive option. The least expensive and the most enjoyable is to take a tour. Trips include hotel shuttle service, all associated park fees, lunch, and tickets to the Skywalk. Grand Canyon West is also the ONLY place where you can ride a helicopter to the bottom of the canyon. This particular trip can also be upgraded to include a float trip down the Colorado River. Air tours take half a day. Bus and extended helicopter and airplane tours require a full day.

Summary

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is Las Vegas’ greatest outdoor attraction. Located 120 miles away from Sin City, the glass bridge makes the perfect day trip. Grand Canyon views like this are few and far between. You get to walk 70 feet past the edge and immerse yourself in one of nature’s greatest panoramas. Visiting the bridge is as simple as taking a helicopter, airplane, or bus tour. Then be prepared to be amazed.

The Skywalk Grand Canyon is on every Las Vegas traveler’s list of things to do. Before you go, read travel journalist Keith Kravitz’ tour reviews first at: http://www.GrandCanyon123.com

Affecting to old and young. Our NAU intergenerational elderhostel group was treated to a performance by The Pollen Trail dancers at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on August 13, 2007.

Crystal-clear views of the West Rim? Do the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The bridge transports you 70 feet over the edge for perfect pictures. But there’s an issue: You aren’t allowed to bring your camera.

The reason? The glass. Seems that the Saint-Gobain/DuPont Sentry glass used for the observation deck is prone to chips and scratches – especially if camera equipment strikes it.

Initially, I didn’t think this was a big deal. I figured you could replace the panel much like you would a broken windshield. Not so: Each of these 46 glass panels cost $250,000 each, with the same material used for the five-foot guardrail.

The Hualapai Indian Tribe, which manages the bridge, takes the probability of damage seriously, and insists that you put all personal electronics (digital cameras, cell phones, iPods, camcorders and the like) in a locker. You are also required to wear cloth booties over your shoes.

So, what to do? Several things. The Tribe has hired a corps of professional photographers to take your picture. These individuals are insured and specifically trained to take photos under these conditions. There are also self-serve cameras fixed to the guard railing. Images from both can be purchased for around $30 each in the main gift shop.

You don’t have to be on the Skywalk to take a picture of it. There’s a place where you can take excellent pictures just south of the Skywalk – travelers typically pose on the edge with the Skywalk to the right of their shoulder. If you are taking a helicopter or airplane tour to the West Rim, you’ll have plenty of fantastic aerial photo opportunities.

GETTING THERE

Since it’s opening in 2007, more than a million people have visited the glass bridge. Today, more than 200,000 people visit it annually. The bridge is located in Grand Canyon West, a 9,000-acre expanse just 120 miles east of Las Vegas. Many people choose to rent a car and drive themselves. I personally recommend taking an all-inclusive tour. Skywalk trip costs can quickly mount if you do it yourself; package tours protect your travel budget.

There are plenty of Skywalk trip options. Bus, chopper, and plane trips take 2.5 hours, 45 minutes, and 25 minutes, respectively, to reach Grand Canyon West. The standard route includes Lake Mead, Hoover Dam (photo stop for bus travelers), and the upper Mojave Desert. For the rock-bottom best prices, I suggest you purchase your trip on the Internet, where I’ve seen promotions that offer up to 35% off.

SUMMARY

If you are looking for a great outdoor attraction, definitely consider the Grand Canyon Skywalk, especially when visiting Las Vegas. The Glass Bridge gets a lot of hype, but, unlike it’s imitators, it delivers big time! But realize that you will not be allowed to take your camera. This caveat is because the bridge is made of incredibly expensive glass panels that will chip or scratch if you drop your camera. To fix this, the Tribe has employed experienced photographers to snap you picture. They’ve also installed self-serve cameras. As you embark on this journey, remember this: Anyone can see the canyon. It’s the lucky who “skywalk” it that have stories to tell…and the pictures to prove it.

Want to defy gravity? Do the Grand Canyon Skywalk! Travel writer Keith Kravitz reviews the best tours to the “glass bridge” at: http://www.GrandCanyon123.com

I’m planning to go to Vegas from Phoenix this Saturday morning. I’d also like to visit Grand canyon also. What do you guys suggest? Is it better to go there on the way? Or should go back to Grand canyon from Vegas?
Please tell me the routes. Thanks!

I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking here.
Your normal routing from Phoenix to Las Vegas takes you thru Wikenburg and Kingman> which
means that the closest you will get to GCNP
is Kingman
If you want to do a loop drive thru GCNP from PHX the best way to do it is
I-17N>I-40 E for 2 exits ,US 89 N to the jct of SR 64 at Cameron AZ [ get gas in Grey Mountain or Cameron] enter the Park at Desert View
Take E. Rim Drive to GCNP Vistors Center and the catch a free shuttle out to Hermits Rest
Exit the Park using the S.Enrtrance Station ,
SR 64 to I-40 W
to Exit 48 Kingman [[get gas]
US 93 N over
Hoover Dam and on into LAS
While it’s a great trip it’s also an all -day and into the night trip
Btw
If you don’t do E.Rim Drive from Desert View to the "T" intersection by Yaki Pt/ S.Kaibab Trailhead you will miss seeing the best views of the Canyon
Safe trip

There are other ways to visit the Grand Canyon without driving, including taking the train from nearby Williams, Arizona. If you want to get a birds eye view of the canyon you can take a helicopter tour courtesy of Maverick Helicopter tours.

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ldiamantehttp://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/api/users/ldiamanteTravelMOV01115Leonardo Diamante – Grand Canyon N. P. View Bright Angel trial from Mather point, 2004

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