Getting to the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon is a 8 to 9 hour drive from Palo Alto, California and a 3 to 5 hour drive from Las Vegas, depending upon the choice of rim you want to visit. The west rim of the Grand Canyon is nearer to Vegas and hence, one can go and come back in a 6 hour total drive and spend a minimum of 3 hours at the Canyon.

The best time to visit the Grand Canyon would be the summer time. As a note of personal experience, we had been to the Grand Canyon just before thanksgiving. This was when the temperatures ranged near 20 degrees Celsius and was really cold and chilly.

Since the elevation at the south rim is nearly 7000 to 8000 feet above the sea level, low temperatures and chilly wind blowing around the place, makes you shiver through the spine. However, the magnificently tall peaks, the painted deserted mountains make the visitors forget everything else as they stand to admire the peaks of the Grand Canyon.

Another amazing and interesting feature of the Grand Canyon is the different views of the peaks from the same place during different times of the day. In the Canyon landscape, the steadily shifting angle of the sun creates a sequence of contrasts so dramatic that it seems like the earth was experiencing a cosmic adventure.

Minute by minute, a visitor can see how the Grand Canyon alters before his or her eyes. The light in the Canyon penetrates the earth to the depth of a mile. This is because of the dry air flowing in the area. This light reveals about 20 layers of rock, each having a different color- red shale, yellow-gray limestone, pinkish granite and almost black schist.

Flat and soft at noon, when the sun is directly overhead, these colors deepen and intensify in kaleidoscopic variations at other times of day. By day eagles and ravens fly rim to rim, peering into the gulf for prey or carrion.

As visitors take their journey from Las Vegas towards Grand Canyon, either by bus or car, the excitement begins soon as you visit the magnificent Hoover Dam. Built between 1931 to 1935, this huge structure tames the wild Colorado river that can again be seen at the Grand Canyon.

Small villages and country side scenery invites you to the Sierra mountains. However, there would be no dense vegetation, only small shrubs and cactus plants can be seen through out the area. Since the whole area is amidst the desert, the weather is dry. Hence remember to carry lip balm and sun screen lotions with you while you travel to Las Vegas and Nevada.

It would be a great idea to stay overnight or for two days at the Grand Canyon. There are lodgings inside the Grand Canyon National park. However, if not reserved in advance, these can get very expensive. Outside the park, one can stay at Williams or Flagstaff.

Taking a mule ride to Phantom Ranch, rafting in luxury down the canyon, backpacking from Rim to Rim on the South and North Kaibab Trails, standing in awe at the edge- are some of the interesting activities that can be done at the Grand Canyon.

During the summer, everything on two legs or four wheels comes to this side of the Grand Canyon. If you plan to visit the Grand Canyon at this time, you need to make reservations well in advance. Come prepared in advance to battle the crowds and search for parking space. A friendly park staff, well run facilities and beautiful scenery help ease the crowd.