What to do During a Grand Canyon West Rim Thunderstorm!

Each and every year, from July to September, a season referred to as monsoon descends on Grand Canyon West, creating spectacular thunder and lightning storms that have delighted travelers for years. Obviously, there's risks associated with lightning. Nonetheless, if you follow a few precautions, you'll safely experience one of the planet's best natural "fireworks shows."

The word "monsoon" is Arabic for "a season." It was first used to explain the winds over the Arabian Sea that blow southwest for half a year then switch direction and blow northeast for the other half. Europe, Africa, and the western coasts of Chile and the U.S. go through a monsoon season.

The monsoon that comes to Arizona is nothing like the one that drenches India, for example (In fact, Arizona's is rather marginal, dropping an average of 2.45 inches of rain in 3 months), and is the result of cool air from the Sea of Cortez and the Gulf of Mexico meeting the hot air of the desert to make thunderstorms. The monsoon officially starts once the average daily dew point is 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

It is essential for travelers to the West Rim to keep in mind about thunderstorms is lightning, and the rule of thumb is this: If you can hear thunder, lightning is nearby. Below are a few tips should you get stuck in storm:

1. If a thunderstorm is in the area, stay inside or get inside a vehicle (not a convertible).

2. Do not use cellular phones

3. If you are outdoors, avoid isolated trees or utility poles. Don't stand on open hilltops. Seek shelter under a thick growth of small trees.

4. Get off or away from open water. If you're in a group in the open, stay several yards apart from each other.

During thunderstorms, the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge will be closed to the general public up until the storm passes. Skywalk management will also close the attraction if lightning is sighted in a two-mile radius.

Flash floods are a standard feature of monsoon thunderstorms. Should you drive to the West Rim, bear in mind that the last 10 miles to the Park entrance is dirt road. If you are caught in fast-moving water, get out and find higher ground. Same is true if your vehicle stalls in a wash. Hikers are also urged to go to higher ground if they are in gullies or canyons during a thunderstorm.

Normal monsoon-related thunderstorms are powerful but quick, and do not result in trip cancellations or rescheduling (this is applicable to coach, heli, and rafting tours). A lot of people find this to be among the best times to go to West Rim. The temperatures cool off. The horizon is filled with thunderheads. Lightning puts on a natural light show. Most unique is the fresh sage and creosote odor of the Mojave Desert following a good downpour.

Your odds of getting physically impacted by monsoon storms are slight. Every year in Arizona, flooding results in up to three casualties and lightning up to two. Remember, the monsoon is the weakest in Northern Arizona. Most of these incidents take place from Phoenix down to the border of Mexico. However, you still need to take precautions, and, by doing so, you will have a wonderful Grand Canyon West Rim experience.

About the Author

Mr. Kravitz is a travel writer specializing in Grand Canyon tours. Go here for his list of the Top 3 Grand Canyon tour operators. Companies are handpicked based on safety, quality and price. Stop by and see if there's a tour for you.

Is Grand Canyon National Park Better Than the West Rim?

The toughest part about choosing a Grand Canyon tour is opting to visit the South Rim or the West Rim. Both of them are fantastic places. So, in an effort to break this tie, I'm going to do a quick rim-by-rim evaluation that will ensure you're paired with the spot that's best for you.

Are you looking activities or scenery?

The West Rim excels in fun-based activities. It's the only place where you can ride a heli 4,000 feet to the bottom. Then, if you're so inclined, you can walk upstream and river raft the Colorado River.

The internationally famous Grand Canyon Skywalk is based here. This attraction is a magnificently designed glass-bridge that lets you walk 70 feet beyond the edge as it lifts you 4,000 feet above the river. Don't look down if you are prone to vertigo.

More exotic activities here include a chopper flight to a working cattle ranch, ATV trail rides, Hummer 4x4 adventures, and horseback riding. One of my favorite things to do at the West Rim is the Hoover Dam one-day, smooth-water float trip to Willow Beach.

The South Rim is more serene when compared to the West Rim. What it lacks in "thrills" it makes up in natural splendor. This is the section of the National Park that even the park rangers refer to as the "real" canyon.

There are no helicopter tours to the base at the South Rim. If you want to get to the base, you have to hike. That said, the air tours here are excellent. The heli ride from Tusayan goes directly into the center of the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest section of the Grand Canyon, while airplane trips cover the South, East, and North rims.

There's also the fantastic one-day Grand Canyon rafting journey that operates from April to November. Options include taking a coach or airplane to Page, AZ, and then transferring to a river raft. This is a smooth-water trip so there is no whitewater. Kids ages four years and older are allowed.

The hiking trails at South Rim are amazing. Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and the Rim Top trails are the most in demand. For view points, go to Mather Point, Yaki Point, and Hopi Point. Most excursions include guided tours to these tourist attractions.

Where's your starting point?

Grand Canyon West is just 120 miles from Las Vegas. Helicopters, planes, and coaches can do the trip in 45 minutes, 25 minutes, and 2.5 hours, respectively. The South Rim is too far for Vegas helicopters. Your only options are the plane or the coach.

I highly advise taking the 45-minute plane flight from Vegas to the South Rim. It's fast, comfy, and one of the greatest deals on the market. The coach is incredibly affordable, but one-way drive time is 5.5 hours and total tour time is a whopping 15 hours.

Phoenix and Sedona tourists can drive to the South Rim in 4 hours and 2 hours, respectively. There are coach, plane, and chopper tours from those locations but it's cheaper to drive yourself and do an air tour from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan.

How much time to you have?

Grand Canyon West trips from Las Vegas are ideal day trips. The lengthiest tour is one day. Air-only trips are around 4 hours, and that includes hotel pick up and drop off. The Ground Canyon South Rim car takes 15 hours at a minimum, which is why I advocate for the plane trip because it will have you back on the Vegas Strip in time for your evening plans. Tours that originate in Northern Arizona are full-day trips. I often tell people to reserve a room inside the park and stay the night. Easier said than done as National Park hotels are generally reserved a year in advance.

How much can you spend?

South Rim and West Rim bus tours are the most affordable and include lots of add-ons like smooth-water rafting, glass bridge passes and chopper rides. Air tours are more expensive, but you also see more of the Grand Canyon in less time. I calculate that what you see on a half-hour helicopter tour is equal to a few days on the ground. Plus the airborne views are outstanding.

Let's see the canyon!

Grand Canyon tours are loaded with excitement and beauty. The two best locations are Grand Canyon West and the West Rim. The challenge is which rim to visit. If you are beginning from Las Vegas, the West Rim is your closest option. However, if your heart is set on the South Rim, take the 45-minute airplane flight. I recommend doing the South Rim for travelers starting out from Phoenix and Sedona. The key to being sure you get the break of your dreams is too reserve in advance over the Internet. Follow this approach and you'll get your Grand Canyon trip at a decent price.

About the Author

Mr. Kravitz is a professional travel writer who reports on things to do at the Grand Canyon. If you are planning a canyon trip, check out his Top 3 Grand Canyon tour operators. His rankings are based on quality, safety and price. Spend several minutes on his page & there's a good chance you'll find the canyon tour of your dreams.