Grand Canyon

candid USA tips

 

Why the
Grand Canyon
of America
is special

"Grand" is an understatement. At its extremes, the Grand Canyon is 446 kilometers (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide from rim to rim. and over 1600 meters (a mile) deep.

Vastness is just one of the mind boggling elements of the Grand Canyon that renders me nearly speechless. The setting is desolate, the contours are rugged, and the striated hues of the gorges and pinnacles are vibrant.

Grand Canyon
origin

Slow in
the making

It took the erosive effects of the Colorado River millions of years to carve a deep swath through billion-plus year-old rock layers.

Two stages

The process began in two stages, one roughly 17 millions years ago, the second, about 6 million years ago.

Grand Canyon
vantages

South Rim
vs. North Rim

The view is best from the South rim - it has the most breathtaking vantage points. And, unlike the case on the north rim, the sun is over your shoulder, which is best for both sightseeing and for taking photos.

Best
perspective view

For the most awesome and thrilling perspective, fly below its rims in a sightseeing helicopter (best bet) or small plane.

View from
7 miles up

To appreciate the size of the nearly 500-kilometer (300-mile) long Grand Canyon, view it at 35,000 feet aboard a commercial jet. Note: The flight paths of many transcontinental planes to and from major Southern Californian cities skirt this natural wonder.

Visiting the
Grand Canyon floor

Mule ride

For an exciting trip, take the mule ride to the Grand Canyon floor. The trip is not recommended if you have a fear of heights because some sections of the trail are narrow and have steep drop offs without rails.

On foot

You can also hike to the bottom, but the roundtrip requires too much physical exertion and too many hours for other than a highly fit trekker. It's best to descend one day, camp overnight (permit required), then take the tiresome hike up the next day.

Via helicopter

You fly from the South Rim to the Grand Canyon floor. There will be time for a walk-around and (on some trips) lunch before helicoptering back to the rim.

Via boat

Another option is to travel through the Grand Canyon in an inflatable boat. Running the Colorado River rapids is a harrowing experience, which is part of the fun. Most trips last 5 to 8 days, some longer. One outfit offers a shorter itinerary - you helicopter in, do some rafting, then helicopter out.

It's scorching
down there

Many visitors assume that the canyon floor is cooler than on the rim. It's not. July temperatures reach 41°C (106°F) and higher.

Wildlife

You'll be in the wild. Though rare, it's possible to cross the paths of rattlesnakes and mountain lions.

Grand Canyon
summertime
tips & insights

Expect crowds

June to mid September is the peak tourist season.

Reservations

Make your summer reservations early for the in-the-park lodges and camps because they become completely booked months in advance. The same can be true for the accommodations outside the park for weekends and holidays. Sadly, many tourists arrive expecting miracles.

Parking

Enter the park early if you are a day tripper. Otherwise, you may have trouble finding a parking space.

Traffic
congestion

It can be nerve-racking. Leave your car parked and take the free shuttle bus to the major lodges and lookout points so you won't have to repeatedly search for scarce parking spaces.

Rain

Bring an umbrella. Heavy rains occur mostly in the summer, particularly in August.

Other Grand Canyon
tips & insights

Winter

If you are thinking about coming in the winter to avoid the crowds, remember it is cold and can be snowy with icy roads. Moreover, daylight is short and winter storms can obscure the view.

Best months

The best all around periods are May and mid-September to mid-October. Crowds are relatively thin and the weather is pleasant (though, remember, the Grand Canyon weather can be unpredictable).

Visitor count

Over four million tourists visit the Grand Canyon per year. About 9 out of 10 of them choose the South Rim.

Traveling
between the rims

The distance between the North Rim and South Rim main facilities is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) as the bird flies. By car, it's over 300 kilometers (200 miles).

Rim trail

The park has a rim trail for those who want a less populated view of the Grand Canyon.

Best viewing
hours of the day

The best time to see or photograph the Grand Canyon is in the early morning or late afternoon on sunny days. The low angled sun rays intensify the hues of the rock layers.

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©2010 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications