In this article, Lara Becker recounts a recent Grand Canyon Visit, and offers advice and tips for those planning their own trip to Arizona’s most famous natural attraction …
Visiting The Grand Canyon
“The Grand Canyon is just a big hole in the ground with a river flowing through it” is one perfectly accurate description of this natural wonder. While on the surface this statement is true, there must be a reason why so many people (myself included) would flock to the site, year after year, decade after decade. I hope my recollections of a recent visit will go some lengths to explain the appeal, and wonder, that the Grand Canyon holds in so many peoples’ minds.
The first thing to know when planning your visit to the Grand Canyon is that there are three ways to get to see it: either by the North, West, or South rims. Thing is, even though the distances between the rims are fairly small (less than 30 miles), there is no direct access route between them. You can see the North Rim from the South Rim, but it will take you several hours to actually get to the North Rim, because there is no quick way to get there. You must go around the Canyon to get to the other Rims, and because there are no roads traversing through the canyon (and rightly so), be prepared to go around the long way.
We decided to head to the South Rim, the most popular of the rims, simply because that was the most developed of the three, trail and facilities wise. You can also opt to do a guided tour (around $100+ per person, covering your transportation & fees inside the park), but that didn’t fit our travel style. Guided tours tend to be rushed and you won’t get a say on where you want to go. Instead, we opted to rent a car from Vegas and drove it to the South Rim. Expect to pay a $25 entrance fee upon entering the Canyon; the fee is valid for 7 days.
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Grand Canyon Weather
First thing I noticed upon stepping out the car was how cold and foggy it was compared to Vegas & Arizona. The weather can change quickly here, even in summer. The morning we were hiking it was cold, wet, and miserable. However, even the pouring rain didn’t really ruin my experience of witnessing the Canyon for the first time. In a strange way, the bad weather made it better; it felt raw, unfiltered, and wild. Even a tremendous fog cannot begin to cover the Canyon: that’s perhaps the best idea of how gigantic and limitless it seems.
So if you are early enough, you can get a parking spot close to Mather Point, one of the most crowded points. You’ll get good views of the Canyon from this spot, but if you want to get good photos, skip it and go on the trail heading to the Yavapai Geology Museum. The hike is paved, less than a mile long, and fairly easy to do. It’s actually faster than taking the orange line shuttle, plus if you’re so inclined, you can find a rock outcrop and do your Facebook ‘Grand Canyon pose’.
Grand Canyon Wildlife
One thing you’ll notice is that even though the Canyon is just a big chasm, there is a fair bit of nature around: trees, birds, deer, moose, and more. Chances are you’ll encounter some wildlife as you are trekking. In my case I saw numerous deer, and moose literally within five feet from where I was standing. What I found surprising was that the moose and deer I saw didn’t seem to be afraid of humans. They carried on with their normal grazing, aware that humans were watching them.
Whether you choose to walk the trail or take the shuttle buses – or do a combination of the two – the fantastic thing about the different points on the trail is that they give you a seemingly endless amount of angles and perspectives to view the Canyon. The first view I saw was at Maher Point, and, along with the other scattered tourists, my initial reaction was one of awe. Layers of rock gleamed in the distance like an endless geological echo. It felt as if I was on a new planet, on which there was nothing but sky and rocks. And yet the rocks seemed to have a pattern, as if someone had sculpted and painted them with precision and care.
Walking On Air
At some points in the Grand Canyon you can descend for a few yards, and walk out onto extended, thin rocks that jut out into the air. When you are sitting down on the very edge of the rock with your feet dangling in the air and a tremendous ravine below you, you can really appreciate the power and beauty of the Canyon.
The Selfie Generation
Many people rush through, taking selfies and pictures before hurrying on to the next viewpoint. One college-aged guy took some pictures, then removed his shirt and flexed in front of the camera, thereby putting all the attention on him; typical for a generation which puts a tremendous premium on the self above all. They seem to have forgotten the meaning of the term “visitor.” We are all visitors of the Canyon, its uninvited guests, and the least we can do is to take some time and understand the history and power of what the Canyon represents.
In the afternoon the rain subsided. The sun came out and the clouds dispersed, and the view of the Canyon brightened. The true majesty of this special place was revealed.
Lara Becker
Grand Canyon Trails
There are several trails and viewpoints worth checking out, some of which we did. There are plenty of day hikes available, but a rim to rim trail necessitates staying longer.
- Bright Angel Trail – the beginning of this 9-mile trail leads down toward a remarkable wooden house, which used to be the principal location of the famous Kolb brothers, who snapped thousands of pictures of the Canyon, primarily of the workers inside the Canyon. There is also a rival photography studio a few yards down. The views from the studio overlooking the Canyon are fantastic.
- Hopi Point – This fenced viewpoint allows for one of the most sweeping views of the Canyon. One can even see the Colorado River way down at the bottom, though it’s no more than a dot from this vantage point.
- Powell Point – A nice monument to the Canyon’s first known explorer, John Wesley Powell. Good spot for watching the sunset.