Rim, South, Grand Canyon

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Most visitors to the park come to the South Rim, arriving on Arizona Highway 64. The Highway enters the park through the South Entrance, near Tusayan, Arizona, and heads eastward, leaving the park through the East Entrance. Park headquarters are at Grand Canyon Village, a short distance from the South Entrance, being also the center of the most popular viewpoints like Yavapai Point, and the Village Architectures like Bucky O'Neill Cabin, El Tovar Hotel, Kolb Studio, Hopi Indian House and Bright Angel Lodge. The village is the Jump-Off point for many activities like whitewater rafting, hiking and Running. The floor of the valley is accessible by foot, muleback, or by boat or raft from upriver. Hiking down to the river and back up to the rim in one day is discouraged by park officials because of the distance, steep and rocky trails, change in elevation, and danger of heat exhaustion from the much higher temperatures at the bottom

The Grand Canyon is an awesome location and this view shows the river as it starts its journey into the canyon, continuing the erosion that has taken place over millions of years.

The web site shown below applies to any or all of the following travel tips.It is an excellent site full of detail and information.

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In the afternoon we managed to catch a rangers talk about the California Condors, which live in the area.

Their story could have been one of extinction, as in the 1980s only 22 California Condors remained. These were trapped and a captive program began. This was a success and by the late 1990s captive-reared condors were released back into the wild in California and northern Arizona.

Over the years pairs formed and nesting attempted. In 2003 a wild -born condor fledged from a cave in Grnd Canyon - the first fledgling in Arizona in more than a century.

The California condor population now stands at around 360 birds, with 180 in the wild, with more than 70 condors soaring in the skies of northern Arizona and southern Utah.

The rangers talks that we went on were always good fun and are free. The rangers are usually very interesting people who have a wealth of experience and will give you great tips about how to get the best out of your trip to the area.

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So, you're in Las Vegas on vacation and you're considering a side trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Good choice. Of all the "Rims," it's the South one that's got all the world-famous views.

How to get there if you're on a budget? By tour bus, of course.

Prices at the time this article was written ranged from $80 to $160. Book online - the best deals are on the Internet. For more information about pricing, please see link at bottom of article.

These are not the motor coaches of yore, either. They are state-of-the-art vehicles, and they come equipped with the following:

* Restroom
* VCR's
* Deluxe, reclining seats
* Maximum legroom
* Removable arm rests
* Climate control (air conditioning and heat)
* Large custom windows

Most bus tours, which hit the road around 7 a.m., include free hotel pick up and drop off, as well as a complimentary box lunch (we've tried them all and they're quite tasty).

The drive to the South Rim includes such sights as Lake Mead, historic Hoover Dam (there will be a brief stop for photos), the Colorado River, and Black Canyon, exclusive habitat or big horn sheep.

The entrance to Grand Canyon National Park features quite a dramatic change in scenery: You'll be up on the Kaibab Plateau, home of the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine in the world.

Your adventure begins at Bright Angel Lodge, the main structure in historic Grand Canyon village. The Lodge, built in the 1930's, is surrounded by restaurants, a museum, other lodgings, gift shops, and the Bucky O'Neill Cabin, the oldest structure on the Rim. It's also here that you can board one of the many free shuttles and discover such key viewpoints as Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Yaki, and more. Typically, you will have three hours to enjoy the South Rim and The Village.

Here are some facts to consider as you enjoy this incredible natural wonder:

* The Canyon was created by the Colorado River over a 5.4 million-year period.
* The Canyon is 277 miles long and ranges in width from four to 18 miles
* It's more than a mile deep.
* At 8,200 feet (2,500 m) above sea level, the North Rim is 1,200 feet (350 m) higher than the South Rim.
* It became a National Park in 1919
* 5 Million visitors annually
* It's populated by five Indian tribes

The return trip to Las Vegas usually includes a break in Kingman, AZ, where you can stretch your legs, grab a snack, or smoke (coaches are smoke-free). You'll then head back over Hoover Dam, skirt by Boulder City, and then drop down into the Las Vegas valley.

Total trip time from pick up to drop off is approximately 14 hours.

If you've longed to experience the magnificence of the South Rim, consider booking a trip with one of Las Vegas' many tour bus operators. Tours run daily, seven days a week. The price is right, too, if you shop and book on the Internet. There's no excuse to leave this Seventh Wonder of the World on your "bucket list" anymore. For more bus tour reviews and pricing, please go to http://www.GrandCanyonBusDeals.com

Hopi House was built in 1905 by Mary Colter. This Pueblo style building is the largest gift store at the Grand Canyon. This historic store features a large selection of authentic Native American Handicraft items and an upstairs Native American Art Gallery. On the list of U.S. National Register of Historic Places and U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Open daily year-round, 8am to 5pm, additional open hours vary seasonally.

For more information:
Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Tusayan
www.grandcanyonchamber.com
or the National Park Service web page.

The National Park Service collects a $25 per vehicle entrance fee that is good for seven days on both the South and North Rims.

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We were driving from Flagstaff and arrived in the Grand Canyon area a little after 1. Eat BEFORE you get close to the area as the mcdonalds is not your typical Mcdonalds. I got a double Cheeseburger and a coke (Normally this is $2 at all other mcdonalds at least on the east coast it is) I paid over $7 for these 2 items!!! Anyway after eating we went to the South Rim, parked and found the shuttle system VERY easy to use. each bus is color coded with the stops and they run about every 10-15 minutes. You can hop off/on at your own Leisure.
We used the shuttle most of the time but hiked between the shorter points. I had heard that Hermit's rest was the most scenic. I personally did not agree and it was a tourist trap. If you want more souvenirs then this stop is for you. Each point does offer a slightly different view. We had the luxury of being there to see the sunset, while beautiful it wasn't as colorful as I had imagined it would be. If I am not mistaken Powell Point was my favorite. I think we paid about $20 for our car. The shuttles are included in your price. While we were there someone fell over the edge around Maricopa. So PLEASE be careful :)

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In a rainy day, the guide spent almost all day announcing the wonders of the sunset in the Grand Canyon. I thought it was just "guide's conversation" but when the clouds opened a small frame... well... even the rainbow adhered to the party.

Do not miss, and good luck.

Yes, Highway 64 is OK for a motor coach. You should be able to park it near the train station in Grand Canyon Village--which puts you close to the rim and in the heart of things. Lunch at El Tovar Hotel is outstanding. I would have the group picnic at Grandview Point on the way in--should be able to park the bus, lots of room, great views, but seniors would probably have to sit on large rocks to eat. For more info on Grand Canyon, download or print my free quarterly Pathfinder Newsletter at http://www.traveltheamericanwest.com. Can I help you with info about Page? Don't miss Lower Antelope Canyon there! My next newsletter issue is "The Wonders of Page, AZ." Should be on the website December 1. Would be happy to mail or email a draft.

Bill Ginnodo
ginnodo@pridepublications.com