National Parks- Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is very popular and visited by many- guess why? It is a magnificent work of art by Mother Nature, on the rocks by the river and with time. The Grand Canyon- a gorge of the Colorado River, a massive, imposing landscape is a World Heritage Site and also considered to be one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. The grandeur, the beauty and the majesticity of this canyon is unparalleled. The beauty is increased by the layers of exposed colored rocks and the vastness. The park contains several types of ecosystems, different life zones and three types of desert systems. It is one of the places to view the rarest bird in the world- California Condor. Like all other national parks in USA, there is an entry fee of $20.

Sunrise at Mather Point

Located in northern Arizona the canyon 277miles long, 18miles wide, one mile deep and 17million years old!- (Wiki). It was declared a national park in the year 1919 by president Theodore Roosevelt. Millions of people who visit the park enjoy the views from South Rim which is easily accessible and is open all the year. North Rim is less accessible (mid-May to mid-October) and hence less popular. Very few people including backpackers visit this part of the park.

Colorado River

When I visited this park for the first time the flight to Las Vegas was delayed and hence I reached the park very late in the night. I was stopped by a cop in a deserted place which looked like in the middle of nowhere, and was presented with an expensive speeding ticket- very bad! The elderly cop chided me for being crazy to drive a rented PT Cruiser at that speed during night time. What a start huh? I know Speed thrills but kills ... how true, this time speed killed my purse! Believe me I wasn't driving fast for thrill I just wanted to reach a safe place asap. It was full-moon that night and I didn't need a flashlight at the campsite. I was hungry and disappointed a bit of the encounter with the cop, decided to cook some noodles. I sat at the campground watching the pot. The water wouldn't boil ... I heard the roar of the wind, trees around swayed and danced, suddenly dust and leaves rose up and swirled around me. Flame in my little stove was gone with that passing wind and I gave up the idea of cooking noodles. I had to have muffins for dinner and I wouldn'd mind. I ate that muffin sitting inside the tent. I was glad Grand Canyon wasn't home for those bears greedy for human food and I didn't have to hide my food supply somewhere in the locker. Moonlight seeped through the thin nylon of the tent and I could sleep peacefully though that elderly cop came into my thoughts few times.

Very exposed Plateau Point Trail

It was my dream to backpack from North-rim to South-rim (21miles), reaching the bottom of the canyon and camp at Phantom Ranch beside the colorado river. That never happened because I never got a permit and also couldn't join a group who had a permit. And I never wanted to give up. I planned to go for a day-hike to the Plateau Point (12miles) from where I could have a glimpse of the river. Going down the canyon is very easy task and it is really unimaginable how hard it is to climb back up to the rim in the dry heat in early May.

Colorado River

The Bright Angel Trail snakes down zig-zaging to Indian Garden milestone. It seemed like those switch-backs were never ending. From here the last 1.5miles to Plateau Point are very exposed to direct sunlight with no facilities which is very exhausting. So, I had half of my lunch at Indian Garden before leaving to Plateau Point. After all that pain when I stood at the far edge of the trail I was surrounded by the colorful rocky cliffs and mountains and the green Colorado river under. I was awestruck by the scene- the mighty Colorado river which carved this massive landscape then was diminished into the bottom of the canyon. I wished I could reach down and touch the water. But, I was exhausted already and headed back to Indian Garden to finish that remaining portion of my lunch. It was very hot, I felt like my blood was thickening :) Well, I really don't know how it feels when the blood gets thick! It was unexplainable discomfort and fatigue. Getting back up those last 3miles took forever- part because I was tired, I cannot stand heat and secondly I sat at every shaded corner looking at the canyon in wonder! Someday ... I will live my dream of hiking from North rim to South rim ... someday ...

Once I was back at the rim I sat there on a rock sticking to a cliff under very narrow strip of shade wondering how in half-a-day my skin had turned so dark, from brown to coffee. I clearly had sunburns. My feet were hurting very badly. I had a feeling that my shoes were secretly biting my feet and eating them. After taking some rest I went to see rest of the views boarding a bus. Browsed the souvenir shops and spoke to some of the local tribe. 

South Rim has developed camping facilities and stayed at Mather campground for four nights. This campground is right within the Grand Canyon Village, near to shuttle buses, store and so on. National Park provides free shuttle buses to go around in the park- no tickets required. Since all services are available it doesn't feel like being in the wild. Hotels and motels are available in Williams which is just 60miles away, just in case you are not a camper like my family.

Almost sunset

For four days I enjoyed watching wonderful sunrises and sunsets at various viewpoints. For sunsets I had to be there by late afternoon so that I get a good place to set up my camera. There will be a huge crowd. I did that one day but, later I just watched the scene without thinking much about photography. The larger view is much beautiful than the one I could see in the viewfinder. Here is one picture of a sunrise at Mather Point.

California Condor

The Grand Canyon is so grand, magnificent, majestic, beautiful, amazing and I could go on and on ... It is an unique type of landscape commonly not seen anywhere else. The extreme climatic conditions make it much more mysterious. Easy access has made this place visited by millions. The result can be seen in the haze. The air is getting polluted and visibility to view this vast colorful and intricate landscape is obstructed. 

I was so overwhelmed initially on the first day, and then by the end of fourth day I was completely engulfed by the beauty. I was calm and could sit in a secluded place and watch the canyon forever and ever. It seems the Native American tribe considers the canyon sacred and they believe the spirits of their ancestors live here. I wondered those ancient spirits might be sitting on top of each temple (spires named so) and watching us, the tourists, our actions. I wish they protect this piece of wonderful landscape for the generations to come.

The Grand Canyon fills me with awe. It is beyond comparison- beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world. -Theodore Roosevelt.

Next early morning, I started to Page-Arizona where I was to visit my dream destination- Antelope Canyon on the way visited two of the national monuments- Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki Ruins. Other destinations on this road trip are Bryce Canyon NP, US Scenic Route 89A, Horseshoe Bend, and Zion NP, Angels Landing hike, Zion Subway hike.

---

Leave a comment to share your thoughts :)

Related articles-
National Parks of USA.
My trip to Arizona.
The Canyon- Grand Canyon.

This post is linked to Wild Bird Wednesday, Nature Notes and Our World Tuesday.

If you want pictures please ask me :)
---

Scrapbook- A Travel Blog by Kusum Sanu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.