Monday, July 3, 2017

Visit The Grand Canyon

By Kristy McCaffrey

“All the descriptions written over the decades land with a dull thud next to the real thing. It’s because the Canyon is overwhelming. It is so personal, yet a beauty beyond us—a far world, unknown, and unknowable.” ~ Arizona author Leo W. Banks

View of Grand Canyon from the Desert
Watchtower.
Arizona’s number one tourist attraction is the Grand Canyon, and it should come as no surprise that the state’s nickname is “the Grand Canyon State.”

Grand Canyon National Park is known for its overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape. Over time, the elements have scoured and carved the dramatically splendid Grand Canyon, known as one of the world’s seven natural wonders. The distance from the South Rim to the North Rim varies from half a mile to eighteen miles, and the canyon has a maximum depth of 6,000 feet. This great range in elevation allows for a variety of climate, flora, and fauna; of the seven life zones on the North American continent, four can be experienced within Grand Canyon.

The most prominent feature in the Grand Canyon, besides the deep gorges exposing millions of years of rock layers, lies at the bottom—the Colorado River. Named in 1776 by a Spanish missionary, Padre Francisco Tomás Garcés, it means “red” in Spanish, which is how the river would have appeared back then. Due to the construction of Glen Canyon Dam in northeastern Arizona in 1964, the river is now clear, clean, and cold.

The first documented expedition of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon was accomplished by Major John Wesley Powell in 1869. Powell, a Civil War veteran with only one arm, and nine companions became the first men to journey 1,000 miles on the river, part of it through Grand Canyon. They braved rapids, heat, plummeting morale, and the loss of three men. Powell’s account of this expedition, Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries, made him a national hero as well as brought the canyon to the attention of the country. The Paiutes called the plateau that the canyon cuts through ”Kaibab” or “Mountain Lying Down,” but it was Powell who first consistently used and published the name “Grand Canyon” in the 1870’s.


There are many options when visiting the Grand Canyon. The most popular location is the South Rim with many lodging choices, including campsites. These are booked one year in advance, so plan accordingly. (However, if you’re flexible you can sometimes find last-minute cancellations.) My favorite place is the El Tovar hotel, built in 1905. Be sure to grab lunch in the dining room (my favorite dish is the Traditional Navajo Taco). Learn more about where to stay here.

El Tovar Hotel in the early 1900's.

El Tovar Hotel today.

Activities while at the South Rim include hiking (the famed Bright Angel Trail begins here—if you’re in good physical condition then consider a day-hike to Indian Gardens, a halfway point to the bottom of the Canyon; overnighting inside the Canyon requires a permit), bike rides, and many lookout points (Desert Watchtower and Hermit’s Rest are my favorites). People often ask about the Skywalk, a 10-foot wide, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that extends 70 feet over the rim of the Canyon. It’s not accessible from the South Rim, but lies farther west and is more easily reached from Las Vegas. A bit of trivia: the walkway is actually built over a side canyon and not Grand Canyon, although the view is still spectacular.

My husband and daughter on Bright Angel Trail.

The Desert Watchtower.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk.
You can also visit the North Rim during the summer months (the roads are closed during the winter). It’s more remote and more difficult to reach, but there are also less crowds. And the different views of the Canyon make it worthwhile (the North Rim is at a higher elevation than the South Rim). The Grand Canyon Lodge offers a perfect place to stay, but remember to book 12 months in advance.

Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim.

During a visit a few weeks ago, we saw this
beautiful bull elk grazing by the side of the
road as we left the park.

My daughters doing what most people do - commemorating
their visit with a photo.


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7 comments:

Andrea Downing said...

Great reminder of some happy times for me, Kristy. the first time I saw Grand Canyon, I actually thought it had been painted--I simply could not get my mind around it. I've been 3 times now and am still hoping to get to the north rim some time. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Patti Sherry-Crews said...

As usual, Kristy, your posts give a sense of wanderlust. Perfect quote to start with because as Andrea said, the place is so immense it is hard to get your mind around it. I'm terrified of heights! We did go to the Grand Canyon once when my kids were little, and I have to admit I was too freaked out to enjoy the trip as I would have liked. I remember discovering my husband and I have different comfort zones in re edges of cliffs (I was ready to divorce him). Those lodges are amazing! I have a favorite book Great Lodges of the National Parks, and my goal is to stay in all of them. So far,I've stayed at...none them! Because you do have to book far in advance! Anyway,now I do want to visit the Grand Canyon again with or without grown up kids.

Claire McEwen said...

Great post! I love the Grand Canyon! I visited once, and have wanted to go back ever since.

Kristy McCaffrey said...

Andrea--it does look painted. The landscape is so vast and wide and unreal. It's humbling to experience it in person.

Kristy McCaffrey said...

Patti,
I agree about the fear of heights. We used to take my children when they were young and I was a wreck because there are no railings along the South Rim pathways. It's a parent's nightmare lol. My sister worked as a ranger at both the North and South Rims, and I remember asking her once why there aren't more safety warnings/apparatus and she said that it's a Federal park and it's meant to be enjoyed in as natural a state as possible. Unfortunately people die there every year, and it's usually because of poor decision-making. We must all be on our toes in the wilderness.

Kristy McCaffrey said...

Claire,
I never tire of visiting. It offers something new each time.

Shanna Hatfield said...

My cousin recently visited and couldn't stop raving about how wonderful it was to see the Grand Canyon. Definitely on my list of places to visit!