The Appalachian Trail

This truly is a trails amongst trails.  I have been in awe of any courageous hiker who can actually hike this entire path.  The Appalachian Trail is the nation's longest trail expanding 2,181 miles.  Of course, this trail will take you months to hike it in it's entirety but there are many entrances along the way so the traveler can choose much shorter hikes if desired. 

Here are some interesting facts about the Appalachian Trail:

The Appalachian Trail, completed in 1937:

• Is a privately managed unit of the national park system.
• Is the nation's longest marked footpath, at approximately 2,181 miles.
• Is the first completed national scenic trail, designated in 1968.
• Crosses six other units of the national park system.
• Traverses eight national forests.
• Touches 14 states. Houses more than 2,000 occurrences of rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species at about 535 sites.
• Crosses numerous state and local forests and parks.
• Is maintained by 31 trail clubs and multiple partnerships.

Fun facts about the Appalachian Trail:

• Lowest elevation: 124 feet – near the Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain, New York
• Highest elevation: 6,625 feet – on Clingmans Dome in Tennessee
• Approximately 165,000 white paint blazes mark the Trail's route.
• More than 10,000 people have reported hiking the length of the Trail.
• It takes approximately 5 million footsteps to walk the entire length of the Trail.
• More than 6,000 volunteers contribute about 200,000 hours to the Appalachian Trail every year.

Enjoy Memorial Day Weekend On A Fun Grand Canyon Coach Trip

Are you looking for a fun way to spend Memorial Day weekend? Take your family on a fun and educational bus tour of the Grand Canyon. These tours are a big hit and they sell out fast. If you are going to this wonder of nature over the holiday, get your tickets early because they might be sold out if you wait until the last minute.

You can begin your tour in Vegas or Phoenix since they follow the usual schedule over the holiday. If you start from Vegas, you have the most options since you can book tours from there to the West Rim or the South Rim. When you depart from Phoenix, you can only go to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Let's take a look at your options for bus tours over the holiday weekend.

Vegas Bus Tours To The West Rim

The bus ride from Vegas to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon takes around 2 hours. When you get there, you get off the bus and explore the area for around 3 hours. A neat thing about going to the West Rim is it is the only location helicopters can fly to the floor of the canyon, so you can enjoy the thrilling ride to the bottom and hop on a raft and float down the Colorado River. This exciting upgrade is a lot of fun, so you should do it if you can.

Another option you can add to your tour is a pass to the Skywalk. Also known as the Glass Bridge, you can walk out on its transparent surface 70 ft past the edge of the rim. You can look straight down to the canyon floor nearly 4000 ft underneath you!

Vegas Bus Tours To The South Rim

The South Rim bus tour from Vegas is a fantastic value at just $80. Just be sure to read the details and itinerary to make sure the stops you want, such as the Hoover Dam photo op, are included.

The South Rim is a lot farther from Vegas than the West Rim. It takes 5 hours to get there by bus. The long ride is totally worth it. The South Rim is often referred to as the Official Grand Canyon because of its notable scenic landmarks and you will see most of them on your tour.

South Rim Or West Rim?

The length of the ride might help you decide. The bus tour to the South Rim takes around 15 hours from start to finish, while the tour to the West Rim takes about 12 hours. Plus, you have to think about what kind of experience you will enjoy the most. If you are a thrill seeker, you want to go to the West Rim. If you want to soak up the beauty of nature, then a bus tour of the South Rim is the best option.

Phoenix Bus Tours To The South Rim

You can begin your bus tour from several cities around Phoenix such as Scottsdale, Mesa, and Tempe. It takes about four hours to make the bus ride from the Phoenix metro area to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You are treated to a fantastic view along the way. You get to view the desert surrounding Phoenix and then watch as the terrain becomes the forests of North Arizona. If you choose a tour that stops in Sedona, you will get to see the spectacular red sandstone buttes in the region. You will also see the tallest peaks in the state called the San Francisco Peaks.

Touring By Private Van

Touring the Grand Canyon by private van is very popular. The vans are customized for sightseeing and ultimate comfort. The seats go fast though because the vans only carry 12 people per trip. These tours provide a personal experience with your tour guide too. Your tour goes smoothly since there aren't so many people getting on and off the bus every time it stops.

In Summary

Get ready for Memorial Day on Monday, May 27. It is a popular travel weekend since a lot of people have a three day weekend and it begins the busy travel season. So be sure to book your seats as soon as you decide to go. The sooner you get your tickets, the better, but try to get them at least one week before your departure. When you are ready to book seats for your fun adventure to the Grand Canyon, be sure to do it online. When you buy your tickets on the tour operator's website, you qualify for the discounted Internet rate as long as you complete the transaction online.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Travel writer Tracy D. is a specialist on bus rides to the Grand Canyon and advises going here for the best trips at the cheapest rates: http://www.grandcanyonbustours.org/best-grand-canyon-bus-tours.html