About the Park/My Experiences:
There really isn't much to say about the
Grand Canyon
except WOW! If you like big holes in the ground, this is THE place for you.
The canyon is the result of millions of years of diligent digging by the
Colorado River which runs through the center of the canyon. Two factors played
an important role in the canyon's development. First, the steep tilt of the
plateau through which the canyon is carved provided the river with a huge amount
of power to gouge out a path. Second, the relatively soft rock layers were
easy prey for the erosive forces of the river. The final result is nothing short
of spectacular.
I've been to the canyon twice - once to the North Rim on my
Arizona/Utah '94 trip
, and once to the South Rim on my
Southern California / Nevada / Arizona '96 trip
. The North Rim is a bit more off the beaten path, so if you want to avoid the
crowds, this is the better choice. The South Rim, on the other hand, is tourist
city. However, I found that crowds were fairly reasonable in early March, so
that may be a good option. I personally enjoyed the South Rim much more, but
I think weather and
trip planning played a significant role in this feeling. The weather at the
North Rim varied from partly cloudy to thunderstorms, which significantly
reduced visibility and all but eliminated much of the canyon's colorations. In
contrast the weather at the South Rim was perfect. I also suspect that the
angle of the sun provides better lighting conditions for the South Rim,
adding to its beauty. As of now all of the pictures below are from the South Rim
trip - maybe I'll add some from the North Rim at a later date.
To Travel Picture Index