Grand Canyon West Summer monsoon season

Each year, from July to September, a season known as the monsoon descends on Grand Canyon West, creating spectacular thunder and lightning storms that have thrilled travelers for years. Of course, there are risks associated with lightning. However, if you follow a few precautions, you'll safely experience one of the planet's best natural "fireworks shows."

The word "monsoon" is Arabic for "a season." It was first used to describe the winds over the Arabian Sea that blow southwest for half a year then switch direction and blow northeast for the other half. Europe, Africa, and the western coasts of Chile and the U.S. experience a monsoon season.

The monsoon that comes to Arizona is nothing like the one that douses India, for example (In fact, Arizona's is rather marginal, dumping an average of 2.45 inches of rain in three months), and is the result of cool air from the Sea of Cortez and the Gulf of Mexico meeting the hot air of the desert to produce thunderstorms. The monsoon officially starts when the average daily dew point is 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

The most important thing for travelers to the West Rim to remember about thunderstorms is lightning, and the rule of thumb is this: If you can hear thunder, lightning is nearby. Here are a few tips if you get stuck in storm:

If a thunderstorm is nearby, stay indoors or get inside a vehicle (not a convertible).
Do not use cellular phones
If you are outside, avoid isolated trees or utility poles. Don't stand on open hilltops. Seek shelter under a thick growth of small trees.
Get off or away from open water. If you are in a group in the open, stay several yards apart from each other.

During thunderstorms, the Grand Canyon Skywalk will be closed to the public until the storm passes. Skywalk management will also close the attraction if lightning is sighted in a two-mile radius.

Flash floods are a common feature of monsoon thunderstorms. If you drive to the West Rim, be aware that the last 10 miles to the Park entrance is dirt road. If you find yourself stuck in fast-moving water, get out and seek higher ground. Same applies if your vehicle stalls in a wash. Hikers are also urged to go to higher ground if they are in gullies or canyons during a thunderstorm.

Typical monsoon-related thunderstorms are powerful but brief, and do not lead to trip cancellations or rescheduling (this applies to bus, helicopter, and rafting tours). Many people find this to be one of the best times to visit Grand Canyon West. The temperatures cool down. The horizon is filled with thunderheads. Lightning puts on a natural light show. But most unique is the fresh sage and creosote smell of the Mojave Desert after a good downpour.

Your chances of getting physically affected by monsoon storms are slight. Each year in Arizona, flooding results in up to three causalities and lightning up to two. Remember, the monsoon is the weakest in Northern Arizona. Most of these accidents happen from Phoenix down to the border of Mexico. However, you still need to take the precautions, and, by doing so, you'll have an incredible Grand Canyon West Rim experience.

Enjoy the Grand Canyon

One of the most stunning places in the world is the Grand Canyon. It is amazingly beautiful and it can't really be described unless you have visited it for yourself. The Grand Canyon is a huge chasm that has been carved out in the rocks over time, with fantastical views that you'll never forget once you've seen them. The size of the Grand Canyon will make you feel so small and it is a place of solitude that people from all across the world come to enjoy.

Enjoy the beauty

If you choose to visit the Grand Canyon, you will find that there are many ways that you can enjoy its beauty. You can enjoy sitting on the edge just enjoying his appearance. Snapshots of the course is the best way to forget the landscape for years to come, so do not remember your camera. There are some great hiking trails that you can walk along absorb the beauty around you. As the canyon of a sunrise or sunset is ona magnificent experience that you won't want to miss. You'll without doubt find that you can enjoy all the beauty around you in many different ways.

Teeming Wildlife

One part of the loveliness of the area is the wildlife. You'll discover a variety of types of animals around the Grand Canyon. Of course while they are beautiful, you need to be very careful. You should never go up to animals, and photographing them is best done while you are in your car. You should feed them since this is illegal. If you happen to have pets of your own with you, you must keep them on a leash.

Grand Canyon Activities

There are so many great activities that can be enjoyed in the area of the Grand Canyon as well. There are awesome hiking trails, although you need to be very careful on these. Mule trips can be arranged (call as far in advance as possible) if you want to experience riding one down into the Canyon. If you want to shell out some money, a helicopter or plane tour may be just the thing. The views of the Canyon are absolutely amazing from the air. There are great trails that you can bike on as well, and some places you will even find horses that you can ride. Various ranger led activities also are available for you to take part in, too.

Train rides are another great experience to enjoy while you are visiting the Grand Canyon. If you are daring and want to get up close and personal with the river, you may want to go on one of the Colorado River trips that are available as well. For those who like to rough it, there are four campgrounds available within the Grand Canyon National Park.

Special Events

You'll discover a selection of special activities that go on in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon. During the summer there are often theatrical productions that take place, frequently there are art exhibits that take place on the rim, and there is even an exceptional Grand Canyon Chamber Music Festival that takes place every September.

Visitor's Centers and Area Exhibits

Various visitor's centers and area exhibits are open in the area, although they are not all open all the time. The South Rim Visitor Center is usually open for regular business hours, although in peak seasons it may be open longer. There is also the Canyon View Information Plaza, which is very close to the Canyon rim, where you can get a lot of information and find restrooms and a bookstore.

The Kolb Studio is a great place to visit - you can enjoy fantastic art exhibits for free. The building has been restored and it is open every day, all year long. The Desert View Information Center is on the east entrance and it is also open all year long. Then you have the Tusayan Museum, which is open year round unless there is bad weather. You'll get a closer look at the Pueblo Indians that used to live in the area and the admission to the museum is free. There are tours of the ruins that are led by rangers on a daily basis.

Popular for Resort Vacations

The Grand Canyon, with all it has to offer, is unquestionably a very popular area for resort vacations. There are a variety of lovely resorts in the area where people can relax and enjoy an extraordinary vacation in this breathtaking vacation spot. A resort is an excellent choice for those who wish to Grand Canyon to get the most from their visit.

Visit the Grand Canyon Sedona

Another reason that the Grand Canyon is a great goal is to Sedona, Ariz., not far away. Sedona is extraordinarily beautiful, with its unique red rock formations, vertebrate, and not of this world landscape. A popular tourist destination, it is easy to Sedona with airhelicopter, and even by car. It allows you the opportunity to enjoy both the Grand Canyon and the red rocks of Sedona without having to travel far.

The Great Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is an enormous rift in the Plateau of Colorado that shows uplifted Protezoroic and Paleozoic strata. It also shows one of the six well-known physiographic sections of the Colorado Plateau province.

The Grand Canyon is unparalleled in the world for the views it gives to the visitors of the rim. It is distinct for its overwhelming size as well as obscured and colorful landscape. It is also noteworthy geologically because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks majestically preserved and exposed in the walls of the canyon.

The national park in Grand Canyon boasts of its superlative sight of landscapes that this canyon has to offer. The park was founded by President Theodore Roosevelt as Grand Canyon Monument in 1908. It became a national park in 1919.

There are two ways to come close to the canyon: the remote area which is the North Rim and the more The Internet is the South Rim. The South Rim is open all year and the most popular destination for visitors to the Grand Canyon. If you plan to visit the canyon to this page, you must reserve in advance as accommodation and tour guide quickly filled from late spring to ' early autumn.

There are many historic sites here in the South Rim Village for the most part in the Grand Canyon. Buckey The O 'NeilBooth was one of them. E 'was built in 1890 by William Owen Neil O' because of the copper deposit nearby. It 's the oldest structure in the South Rim.

Visit the Kolb Studio here in South Rim. E 'was built by the Kolb brothers in 1904. The pistons are photographers who have made their living through a photograph of the visitor to walk the Bright Angel Trail. Ellsworth and Emery Kolb filmed their journey on the Green and Colorado rivers. He showed this film regularlyon their studio until he died in 1976. Now, the Kolb Studio serves as an art gallery and exhibits showing the inspiring power of the Grand Canyon.

The El Tovar Hotel is also one of the most luxurious accommodations in the South Rim built in 1905. It is a 4-story building with a rustic chalet look designed by Charles Whittlesley.

You can do a lot of things in Grand Canyon such as strolling along the portion of the rim trail to take delight at the scenic views. And while walking, you will have the opportunity to see few of the animals living in the Grand Canyon like deer, elk, big horn sheep and the endangered California condor soaring in the ostensibly primeval sky. Hiking is also one of the popular outdoor adventures that you can do.

One of the most distinct trails is the Bright Angel Trail, starting from the Grand Canyon Village near the Bright Angel Lodge. You can also see half an hour presentation of "Grand Canyon the Hidden Secrets" in the National Geographic IMAX Theater outside of the park in Tusayan.

The Grand Canyon is a gift from past generations that should be preserved for future generations to see.

Great Day Trips - Grand Canyon Skywalk From Las Vegas

Going to Las Vegas? Make sure to add the Grand Canyon Skywalk to your list of "must-see" attractions. The "Glass Bridge" is only two-and-a-half-hours away and offers Sin City sightseers a number of unique experiences that are only available in this part of the Canyon.

Getting There

Part of the ever-evolving Grand Canyon West area, the Skywalk is situated some 120 miles east of Las Vegas. Getting there is half the adventure. En route, you skirt Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the U.S., cross Hoover Dam, enter Arizona, and ply a beautiful gorge carved out by the persistent Colorado River. In the Grand Canyon State, you'll hit flat land whereupon you'll take a right going east down a dirt road for 10 miles until you arrive at the Rim.

The Glass Bridge

The Skywalk is an engineering marvel: It's a glass-bottomed cantilever structure that juts out 70 feet into the Canyon's abyss. Nearly 4,000 below, the Colorado River quietly churns. The Bridge has been designed to withstand significant earthquakes and can support 800 people at once. The custom glass walkway panels cost approximately $250,000 each, which explains why personal electronics (cell phones, cameras, etc.) are not permitted and why you must wear cotton booties over your shoes. One last point about photos: The Bridge employs authorized photographers to take your picture, which can be purchased at the information center or online.

Admission Fees

Compared to other Las Vegas attractions, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is a bargain. Currently, tickets cost:

Adults: $29.95
Children: $22.46
Seniors and Military: $26.96

In addition to the attraction ticketing, you are also required to purchase a Legacy Pass, which gives you unlimited access to Grand Canyon West, including attractions such as Hualapai Ranch and Iguana Point, rim-side hiking trails, and transportation aboard shuttle busses. Legacy Pass prices are:

Adults: $43.05
Children: $35.03
Seniors and military: $39.85

Big Bang for the Buck

Renting a car and driving to Grand Canyon West is an option. However, because tour prices in Las Vegas are hyper-competitive, you'll probably save money and have a much more enjoyable trip if you book a bus tour. Standard packages include hotel pick up and drop off, park entry fee, and multiple stops, including Hoover Dam, Grand Wash Cliffs, Eagle and Guano Point, and more. In most cases, Skywalk ticket fees will be in addition to the bus package. The West Rim is the only place in the Grand Canyon where you can helicopter to the bottom of the Canyon. Pricing for this is additional to the basic bus tour package. Tour takes the entire day and usually has you back at your hotel around 6 p.m.

Final Thoughts

For many, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is a life-changing experience. Nearly a million people have visited it from countries all over the world. Many claim it a "life-changing experience." Perhaps it will be for you as well. And why not? Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Las Vegas, it should be high on everyone's list of must-see attractions in the Southwest.

A Brief Guide to Visiting the Grand Canyon

On holiday in Las Vegas there are plenty of things to keep you occupied in the city itself, but anyone visiting the area should make the time to visit the spectacular Grand Canyon National Park. Often described as one of the greatest sights on the planet, the Grand Canyon is a relatively simple excursion from the city of Las Vegas. Unlike many other tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Canyon is extremely expansive, so there are various parts of it you can visit and different ways to get there.

The two main areas of the canyon renowned for the best views are the West Rim and the South Rim. The West Rim is the closer to the city and is increasingly popular with visitors since the opening of the SkyWalk. This cantilever glass bridge extends 70 feet out from the rim of the canyon into open air. Suspended 4,000 feet high in the air above the Colorado River, it is almost like walking on air! Although this rim is not part of the National Park, visitors can expect to pay an entrance fee and cannot bring their own food. Privately owned and very remote, it is best to visit this part of the Grand Canyon with an organised tour for your own convenience.

Another way to see the Canyon is the South Rim. At 278 miles from Las Vegas, this side of the Canyon takes longer to get to, but isn't a private business like the West Rim. Like all parts of the canyon, the South Rim offers astounding natural views and attracts over 5 millions visitors each year - by far the most visited side of the canyon. This is largely due to the wealth of nearby amenities it provides. Be aware that you will need to pay a fee to travel through the National Park to reach the view points at the South Rim.

One of the most spectacular ways to experience the Canyon in all its glory is by helicopter. Various companies offer flights from Vegas' McCarran airport, but like all of the best things in life, this comes at a cost. Most tours will land at the West Rim of the Canyon and some also fly over Lake Mead, the Colorado River and the Hoover Dam before descending into the depths of the Canyon. No matter which part you choose to visit, the Grand Canyon is a breathtaking experience not to be missed on any Las Vegas holiday.

The Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

You can take a visit to many different places in the Grand Canyon National Park, for example, the West Rim, the North Rim and the South Rim. Every place has its distinctive scenery, but I only visited the South Rim. It is a more mature tourism place than other places in the park. The traffic, hotels and restaurants are very convenient nearby the South Rim.

Though I love camping very much, I still chose a hotel inside the park. So I could get up early to see the sunrise and stayed late to see the sunset. If you do not book your hotel as early as possible, you have to drive back to Vegas after the sunset. The next day, I woke up at 5am, as I was very anxious to see the amazing sunrise. When I got my destination, I found there were already crowds of people waiting for the sunrise. I heard of many gorgeous words to describe its beauty, but I think no one can totally describe its amazing scene. Only when you see it by your own eyes can you know how grand and magnificent it is.

After the great sunrise, I started my canyon tour. As I gave up outdoor camping, I would never miss the exciting hiking. I planned to hike down the canyon, so I took all my gears and enough food and drink. In addition, I did not forget to take warm clothes, either. It would be very cold at night at the bottom of the canyon. One day was not enough to finish this hiking, so tourists always stayed in the log rooms in the valley and climbed up the next day. Hiking always brought me surprises; I could always challenge the limit of my body. That's exciting experience.

There some tips when you drove from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Do not choose Route 66. If you do, you have to spend much more time than those who choose the interstate. On your way to the canyon, you can stop at Hoover Dam, which is worthwhile for you stop. Actually, you will appreciate this amazing building when you are about to leave.

Helicopter Rides - Popular Scenic Flight Destinations

Helicopter rides over New York City are very popular and will afford a unique aerial perspective of the skyscrapers of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium, and Ground Zero. A New York helicopter flight will afford you a bird's-eye view of New York's skyline, New York Harbor, the famous Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and the busy financial district. Your flight will likely feature the Empire State Building, Met Life, and Chrysler Buildings, amazing views of Central Park and many of New York's other historic landmarks. You may see Cathedral of St. John, and the timeless George Washington Bridge as you soar over Manhattan. A New York helicopter ride is a terrific way to see this great city from an amazing aerial perspective that most people will never forget.

Another very popular helicopter ride destination is Hawaii. Exploring the rugged paradise of the Islands of Hawaii via a helicopter ride can be an adventure of a lifetime. A helicopter tour over these islands will expose breathtaking waterfalls, active volcanoes spewing lava, panoramic coastlines, and rugged mountain ranges along the coast. In Oahu you may fly over the famous shoreline of Waikiki followed by the Diamond Head Crater. Along the route you may fly over the beautiful Hanauma Bay snorkeling beach, the breathtaking Makapu'u Point, and the shallow waters and coral reefs of Kaneohe Bay. Next you may fly over the tiny island of Chinaman's Hat and the uninhabited lush green valleys of the Ko'olau Mountain Range, and the spectacular 1,310 foot cascading Sacred Falls. Additionally, you may see world-famous North Shore of Hawaii surfing beaches, before finally flying through the island's vast central farming plains, which are used as pineapple fields. An aerial view of Pearl Harbor allows the best view of the sunken warships and bird's eye view of the harbor. While in the helicopter, it's easy to find yourself re-enacting the history of December 1941 in your mind.

Grand Canyon helicopter rides are also tremendously popular, and the only way to see much of Grand Canyon National Park, which is geographically located in the northwest corner of Arizona and covers more than 1,900 square miles. The Colorado River, which continues to carve out the Grand Canyon, is visible from the ground from only a very few number viewpoints. The mighty river flows along the bottom of the canyon, nearly a mile below the canyon rim. Due to the enormous depth of the canyon, a two-day hike, multiple hour mule ride, or helicopter flight, is the only way to the river and back from the canyon rim. There are over 275 miles of breathtakingly rugged canyons. There are sheer walls of rock a mile deep in many places. Grand Canyon National Park includes other nearby attractions such as Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead National Recreation area. Helicopter rides to the canyon depart from the cities of Las Vegas, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Page, and Sedona.

Helicopter rides over the Miami area have become increasingly popular over the years. The many beaches, harbors, amusement parks, and stunning cities by the beautiful emerald green tinted water are all sights best seen from the air. Helicopter sightseeing has become incredibly popular by those wishing to see the luxury homes and boats on the water. The white-sand beaches, the magnificent Biscayne Bay, Art Deco Historic District, and Everglades offer amazing perspectives from the air and unique photo opportunities.

Alaska is one of those locations where the visitor can really benefit from a helicopter tour. Much of Alaska is not accessible by road, and the only way to see many parts of Alaska is by helicopter. Due to the inaccessibility, helicopters are commonly used throughout Alaska, for not only helicopter rides, but for oil exploration, logging, fighting fires, and heli-skiing. Tour helicopters often land on glaciers, and some tour companies offer combined helicopter flights and dog sled rides. Alaska helicopter tours are most popular in Seward on the Kenai Peninsula and in the Denali National Park. Some helicopter tours combine glacier landings with part day glacier hikes. A helicopter ride over Denali National Park will expose tremendous snow capped mountains, blue tinted glaciers, and Alaskan wildlife.

In some urban locations, such as Los Angeles, the sights and landmarks are geographically spread out, requiring multiple days of driving in heavy traffic to see what can be viewed by helicopter in about an hour. Relatively short helicopter rides over Los Angeles will afford amazing aerial views of the skyscrapers of Downtown LA, Dodger Stadium, Staples Center, the state of the art LA Live center, Hollywood Sign, Beverly Hills mansions, Santa Monica Pier, and beautiful beaches including the Malibu coastline. There are multiple airports in Los Angeles where your tour may originate, and it is usually best to start LA helicopter tours from airports located in the Northwest part of Los Angeles County, because you are nearest the beaches, canyons, coastal mountains, and Hollywood area. As metropolitan traffic increasingly slows travel time, Los Angeles helicopter rides are becoming an attractive alternative to land based tours.