Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk

Guano Point looks almost unreal in its theatrical beauty. As the sun started its descent over the streaked plateaus of the Grand Canyon, and tourists shuddered in the stinging cold, I couldn't help lingering in the shadow of the old metal skeleton of an ancient mining structure.

But let's start from the beginning. The entrance to Grand Canyon West is approximately a two-hour-and-a-half drive from Las Vegas, and the stunning views are definitely worth a trip if you get a chance. Pack plenty of water, and you'll be ready for your adventure driving through the Mojave Desert.

Life finds a way in the most hostile environments; Joshua Trees and tumbleweed grow in the dust in scattered patterns, and you'll be able to spot birds (primarily ravens) as you start climbing up the mountains.

The entrance to Grand Canyon West is on the land of the Hualapai Tribe; tickets can be purchased to access the three main view points with hop-on hop-off buses. There is a bus every five minutes or so, and we never had to wait for one.

I had set my sights on the scenic Sa'Nyu Wa Restaurant for lunch, which was unfortunately closed that day—but I now have an excuse to go back! We enjoyed a hearty meal of BBQ Ribs at the Hualapai Ranch, which was included in our ticket fare.

Hualapai Ranch was our first stop in the tour, providing a great deal of context. Along with the stunning view, it includes attractions like a Magic Parlor (great show there!), cabins for an overnight stay, a gift shop, saloon, and shows. Had it not been so cold, I would have loved to take a horse-back tour of the place. Another reason to return!

Our second stop was the Skywalk and Eagle Point. The Skywalk is a U-shaped glass platform which allows you to literally step above the depths of the Grand Canyon. Be warned, it's not for the faint of heart—even if you're used to heights, a certain dizziness may occur when looking straight down. A way to avoid vertigo has been considered, however; the edges of the platform are opaque, so standing at the side feels less precarious.

When accessing the Skywalk, you're not allowed to bring personal items, but you can queue to have pictures taken at the location. Eagle Point's attractions also include a path through different examples of Native American architecture, a stage with local performers, and several gift shops.

Guano Point was our last stop and a wonderful conclusion of this breathtaking day trip. It owes its name to a guano mining operation set up on the spot, and the structures built to access the cave and carry the guano (excellent fertilizer) out remain to this day. From here we enjoyed a 360 degree view of the magnificent colors of the canyon.

Words don't really do the beauty of the place justice—you have to see for yourself to breathe in the vastness of the horizon and the massive size of this particular corner of this enormous landmark. It is hard to experience a stronger sense of freedom than looking down from what feels like the top of the world.

Darkness was closing in as we began driving back down the mountain tops to the city. The bus drivers had warned us to drive safely and watch out for cattle on the streets, and lo and behold, indeed we did cross a pack of four or five (presumably wild) cows grazing at the side of the road. The contrast couldn't have been starker with the broad display of lights that greeted us as we approached Vegas—and that's the beauty of it.