By: Ryan
We're here at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park this week. I can confirm that the GC is really, really big. At more than 250 miles long, up to 18 miles across, and a mile deep, it definitely lives up to its name.
We hiked down Bright Angel trail yesterday to the 3 mile rest house and back. This route took us down a few thousand feet of elevation and past many, many switchbacks. I don't know if we're just getting stronger or the hike wasn't that hard, but we both felt pretty good afterwards. Going that far also took us past the hoards of other park visitors who only walked a bit of the way into the canyon.
We're here at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park this week. I can confirm that the GC is really, really big. At more than 250 miles long, up to 18 miles across, and a mile deep, it definitely lives up to its name.
We hiked down Bright Angel trail yesterday to the 3 mile rest house and back. This route took us down a few thousand feet of elevation and past many, many switchbacks. I don't know if we're just getting stronger or the hike wasn't that hard, but we both felt pretty good afterwards. Going that far also took us past the hoards of other park visitors who only walked a bit of the way into the canyon.
In fact, that's one of the things that's struck me most about GCNP... it feels like a bit of a circus. The crowds are crazy (the campsites were totally booked, but we got an available backpacker-only spot), there are lots and lots of concession services (i.e. private companies like hotels and shops selling things in the park), even the parking lot for the visitor center was packed with fields and fields of cars when we pulled up - we had to circle the lot looking for parking. Those who know me know this sort of thing is not what I'm looking for in a National Park.
Yet, its still completely worth it. The Grand Canyon is just so vast, so impressive. There's really no comparison and if you haven't seen it, you need to at least once. We woke up early this morning to catch the sunrise rising over the canyon over the North Rim. We got some amazing views of the reds, oranges and greens of the canyon in the early light and also of a group of elk grazing right next to the road.
Yet, its still completely worth it. The Grand Canyon is just so vast, so impressive. There's really no comparison and if you haven't seen it, you need to at least once. We woke up early this morning to catch the sunrise rising over the canyon over the North Rim. We got some amazing views of the reds, oranges and greens of the canyon in the early light and also of a group of elk grazing right next to the road.
Tomorrow we set off for Phoenix for a night and then to Tuscon for two nights... i.e. three straight nights of non-camping and real beds! :) On our way to Phoenix we'll be stopping for lunch at Petrified Forest NP, and then we'll be doing day trips from Tuscon to see Saguaro NP. Next up after that is Guadalupe Mountains for a few nights and then Big Bend for a whole week!