[3by2]

I was there many years ago and lucky enough to take the Mules down to Phantom ranch overnight. What I do remember from the South Rim was that it is nearly impossible to get the sheer breathtaking grandeur of the canyon in and all my shots have that characteristic blue cast you see. So my advice would be to have some shots with a strong foreground in if you can. I don't know if a UV or Skylight filter will help with the cast either, maybe someone can chip in on that. The Mule area is accessible as well, so maybe aim for some mule shots.

The route we took from Las Vegas also took us past the Hoover dam which is well worth stopping at. And lastly I'll leave you with an abiding memory from one of the mule wranglers..
"Up there in those cliffs we got some bear caves"
"Bear caves!?" everyone exclaimed
"Yep. There's nothing in 'em"

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Last edited by 3by2; 03-22-2021 at 05:28 AM.

[robgski]

I have been to the North, South, and West Rims, the North is the best because it is both the higher side of the canyon, so looking south you see not only the other rim, but points far beyond.
I also prefer the north rim because it is the least crowded, comparatively.
North Rim is quite a drive from Las Vegas, considering staying overnight in the park at the lodge or cabins so you can do some night photos, or get up early, reservations recommended. Alternately, you could stay overnight in Kanab, Utah, which has an interesting history related to Hollywood and western movies.

The South Rim is too far, and too crowded in season to be worth the "day" trip from Vegas. Go back in the late autumn with fewer crowds and better temperatures.

The West Rim is closest, and includes an opportunity to stop at eh Hoover Dam, impressive structure without doubt. The West Rim also has the Sky Walk at Eagle Point, a "glass bottom" bridge over a side canyon, not for the timid.

As amazing as the Grand Canyon is, there are also very long stretches of very little worth seeing between Las Vegas and the park. The relentless sun directly overhead also diminishes the chance of dramatically lit landscapes.
You could therefore consider a round trip Helicopter ride over the canyon, leaving from Las Vegas. If you choose a flight that doesn't land in the canyon, the prices are reasonable, considering the opportunity to view the magnitude of the canyon, from a vantage point most tourists do not. You can also take helo flights over the Vegas Strip at night.