This is a definite must-do when visiting Vegas. Just don't make our mistake and go hiking from 12noon until 4pm when the sun is at its hottest. And especially NOT at the height of summer in late August like we did!
In the morning at 10am, the temperature is already at 106 degrees. I have no idea what kind of heat we were hiking in. But we both almost fainted. We were ill-prepared with only 3 regular sized water bottles and a bag of chocolate-covered popcorn between the two of us. Make sure you pack 3 kegs of water and a few portable bottles to carry with you during your hikes. You might also want some carbs in case the water isn't enough to sustain energy in your body. Luckily we had an umbrella. Yes, an umbrella-ella-ella.
Seriously, once you drive into the scenic route, it's a long ONE way 13-miles to get out of there. We were almost gone at just 5 miles into it. I still remember feeling woozy and trying to drive when to our sides were some pretty sharp drops over the side of the cliff. I was so happy to make it out of there alive!
Now the good thing about the hellish hot day was that admission was FREE. Apparently the national parks granted free admission on days that would be too psycho to step foot in here.
As for the canyon itself? Soooo beautiful. Nothing really compares. I was just amazed and couldn't believe it was real. The scenery feels like some kind of dream. Giant rocks with red stripes painted on them. I definitely want to take my son here.
Most of the trip, there were only a handful of nearby visitors, but in the beginning part of our scenic drive, we somehow entered the Fast and the Furious minus Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. Instead, just a whole lot of Asian racers. I think they were doing races.
Yes, we enjoyed the strip and nightlife, but this was one of the most amazing parts of our trip.