If like many, you’ve been to the Grand Canyon on a tour bus or via the rail; chances are you went to the South Rim. Operated by the National Park Service, this is where most tourists have gone in the past. From here you can walk along the rim or do an overnight hike if you want to go to the bottom of the canyon. But, that’s about it.
If you only have one day and you want to do it all, then the West Rim should be your destination of choice. Called Grand Canyon West, it’s a part of the Hualapai Indian’s 100 mile long reservation bordering the Colorado River. Opened in 1988, the Hualapai have created a destination where visitors can really experience all that the canyon has to offer.
I recently completed one of the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours offered by TourGuy.com while in Las Vegas. Just one of dozens of adventure tours offered by TourGuy.com, this trip offered everything I was looking for in one convenient package.
I was picked up on the strip in Las Vegas by one of their courtesy vans and shuttled off to Boulder Airport – maybe a 20 minute ride. Sharing the ride with me were two very amiable chaps, one from England and one from Australia. The three of us got our passes at the airport and prepared to board our Stars and Stripes Eco-star helicopter.
Eco-star makes the helicopters with the enclosed rear fan blades and the great, panoramic 180 degree view cockpit. All their technology converts to a smoother ride, and combined with more spacious seating, it is the gold standard for helicopter touring.
Within minutes of taking off, we were flying over the Hoover Dam. I had only driven over the dam in the past, and from ground level, it’s impossible to grasp the immensity of this site. Our pilot circled the dam twice, once in each direction, so all of us could get a close-up glimpse of the dam.
Hoover Dam
Continuing over Lake Mead, it was interesting to see the changes in water levels experienced over the last few years. I was also intrigued by the narrow canyon, where they originally considered locating the dam. Further along, vibrant colored sections of the lake’s floor revealed various minerals that were prevalent in the water.
Finally reaching our destination, there was a unanimous feeling of “OH, WOW!” as our pilot lifted our helicopter over the rim and began a downward descent into the canyon floor. We followed the Colorado River, passing the Skywalk, and eventually touched down on a special landing pad alongside the river.
The Skywalk cantilevers over the edge of the canyon
Hiking down about a quarter mile, we reached the edge of the Colorado and went out onto a floating dock where we met our pontoon boat. Climbing aboard along with a happy group visiting from Japan, we cruised the Colorado River, all the time watching the passing cliffs, towering on either side of us. After about a half-hour at the base of the canyon, we met up again with our helicopter pilot and were whisked to the top of the canyon and into the Grand Canyon West visitor center.
From here, we made use of the Greyhound-sized shuttle buses that take you to all the attractions of Grand Canyon West. First stop was Eagle Point, where you can literally walk to the edge of the canyon and photograph straight down, if you are not afraid of heights. Here you are greeted by a member of the Hualapai tribe and can also observe their native dances. Then we entered the gateway to the area’s main attraction – the Skywalk.
The Skywalk is a 70 foot long, horseshoe shaped, sky bridge – cantilevered out over the edge of the Grand Canyon. It just opened in 2007. The floor is made of clean, clear glass, enabling you to look straight down to the rock surface below. To protect the glass floor, everyone dons slip-over coverings for their shoes and no metallic items are allowed to be carried out onto the bridge. This means all cellphones, cameras, etc. all need to be checked in free lockers for the duration of your time on the bridge. Professional photographers are available if you want your picture taken out on the bridge.
From the Skywalk, you can look through the glass floor all the way to the bottom of the canyon.
Another short bus ride takes you to Guano Point where our pilot suggested we eat lunch. He was right. A full chicken or BBQ dinner was included with the tour, and we ate at a picnic table within feet of the edge of the canyon’s wall, looking straight down 4,000 feet to the river below. After the very tasty and filling lunch, we hiked a short way to the end of a sliver of land projecting out into the canyon. At land’s end, you could literally see the canyon wrap around you in a 300 degree panorama.
After returning to the welcome center, we had time to souvenir shop before catching our helicopter back to Boulder Airport and our van shuttle ride to our hotel. With three helicopter flights, a boat ride and a walk on the fabulous Skywalk – it was a dream trip. TourGuy.com packaged it all together so that one ticket covered everything. If you want to experience it all, that’s the way to go.