Approaching from the south, you first drive for hours across desolate high-country range with rolling grassy hills, some isolated trees and an occasional horse or cow. The Ponderosa pines start a few miles south of the park, and you soon find yourself driving through dense forest. A sign reads, "scenic lookout", so you stop and walk a few yards through the bushes. Suddenly, there it is, and it takes your breath away!
The Grand Canyon stretches 12 miles before you to the further rim, and as far as you can see on either side. The land at your feet drops almost straight down for over 3000 feet and then several thousand feet more into the serpentine canyons below. This vast gorge is filled with rocky buttes, sheer limestone cliffs, and deep canyons all arrayed in a rainbow of colors. Words cannot describe it. It is one of the most magnificent sights on earth.
Most visitors only see the canyon from lookout points on the South Rim, but to really experience its natural beauty, you need to descend into it.
You can hike about halfway down and back in one day. Bright Angel trail to Lookout Point is about 12 miles round trip with a 3000-foot descent and a long hard 3000-foot climb back to the rim. The trail is broad and well maintained, but you might have to share it with an occasional mule train. Watch what you step in! It takes about 7-8 hours of hiking at a leisurely pace. Start early in the day and take food and water! The temperature in the canyon may be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than on the rim. Most months, drinking water is available along this trail. Camping facilities and toilets are available at Indian Springs 4.5 miles from the rim.
The Grand Canyon stretches 12 miles before you to the further rim, and as far as you can see on either side. The land at your feet drops almost straight down for over 3000 feet and then several thousand feet more into the serpentine canyons below. This vast gorge is filled with rocky buttes, sheer limestone cliffs, and deep canyons all arrayed in a rainbow of colors. Words cannot describe it. It is one of the most magnificent sights on earth.
Most visitors only see the canyon from lookout points on the South Rim, but to really experience its natural beauty, you need to descend into it.
You can hike about halfway down and back in one day. Bright Angel trail to Lookout Point is about 12 miles round trip with a 3000-foot descent and a long hard 3000-foot climb back to the rim. The trail is broad and well maintained, but you might have to share it with an occasional mule train. Watch what you step in! It takes about 7-8 hours of hiking at a leisurely pace. Start early in the day and take food and water! The temperature in the canyon may be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than on the rim. Most months, drinking water is available along this trail. Camping facilities and toilets are available at Indian Springs 4.5 miles from the rim.
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