Grand Canyon 2005 Part 1

My first trip to the Southwest USA started with a 7 day visit to Nevada and Arizona with the first 2 days in Las Vegas. I drove from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim and stayed at the Bright Angel Lodge. (I recommend making reservations months in advance to secure a room at the Bright Angel Lodge if you plan to spend more then 1 day at the Grand Canyon).

ITINERARY SUMMARY:

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY
July 12, 2005 - Luxor Hotel Check In

THURSDAY-FRIDAY July 14,15
Sunrise:5:32AM -- Leave between 6:30 from rental place
Luxor Hotel Check Out 11AM

Fast entry into the Park can now be accomplished by paying entry fees at the Official Pay Station located in the National Geographic Visitor Center. A special entry lane then allows vehicles to circumvent the heavy traffic lanes and to enter the Park with virtually no delay. -- National Geographic Food Court -- Located in Tusayan before Grand Canyon entrance.

- Stop at Lot A-B first, CVIP Canyon View Information Plaza, Restrooms,
- Market Plaza for groceries, money
- Mather Point -- Yavapai Point - Rim Trail between Mather Point and Yavapai Point
- Rim Trail from Yavapai Point
- Drive down Desert View Drive 64 east into Desert View/Yaki Point
- At Desert View -- Ooh-Aah Point down to Cedar Ridge and Back
- Parking around lot C or D - Bright Angel Lodge check -- in
- Take shuttle down towards Hermits Rest
- Hopi Point -- great for viewing sunset / The Abyss / Pima Point / Hermits Rest

SATURDAY 16 -- Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam/Lake Mead/ Las Vegas Sunrise 5:24 by 6:00am

Hoover Dam - Parking fee: $5.00. (cash only) Admission fee: $10
Parking and access to the Tour Center is most convenient from the parking garage on the Nevada side of the Dam. Oversized vehicles, recreational vehicles, and vehicles with trailers will need to use the parking lots on the Arizona side of the Dam. From the parking garage walk toward the Dam. A short distance from the parking garage you will find both an escalator and elevator that will take you down to a reception lobby where you can purchase your tickets. All visitors are required to go through security screening when entering the Tour Center.

Lake Mead Scenic Drive $3-$5 -- Ask about scenic drives and hikes (below)
Lake Mead Resort Marina Located on Lakeshore Road three miles north of the Tunnel Trail parking lot, the marina is an excellent rest stop and offers a chance to feed the voracious fish that mooch from visitors.

SUNDAY July 17, 2005

➢ Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Scenic Drive $5 http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/

- Moenkopi Loop towards the entrance, at the Visitors Center
- High Point Overlook Trail near the Parking Lot leads to a Hill with scenic view
- Lost Creek
- Ice Box Canyon
Picnic sites are available at Red Spring and Willow Spring. Additional pullouts, offering views of wooded canyons and desert washes, are located at Icebox Canyon, Pine Creek Canyon and Red Rock Wash.

Plane departs - July 17 10:30PM-6:09AM

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Grand Canyon
• Las Vegas
• Bright Angel Lodge
• Luxor
• Hoover Dam
• South Rim
• Grand Canyon Village
• Arizona