Grand Canyon National Park - Definitely not Overrated!!!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but there is no picture in the world that can do justice to Grand Canyon National Park!  For years I'd heard people say that this park was a "nice sight to see" or "it's overrated" or "you might want to stop in if you have the time".  All I can figure is that they just stopped by the visitors' center!  

Breathtaking is hardly strong enough for the way we felt as the south rim of the canyon came into view.  A day is seriously not long enough to take in the beauty of this canyon!  We had not put it on our "to do" list for many years, as we had heard it was overrated, but don't make the same mistake. Plan the trip and take the time.  Here are a few pics to wet your appetite:

We were here Christmas eve, and you can see a bit of snow on the ground under the pine trees on the left frame of the photo.

Here you can start to see just how vast the Grand Canyon actually is.  Having been carved out by the Colorado River, it truly is a natural wonder.  It ranges from 4 miles wide to as much as 18 miles wide in some places.  Sprawled out over a vast portion of Northwest Arizona, with an average depth of 4,000 feet for the entire 277 mile length, it is truly remarkable.  At its deepest point it is over 6,000 feet deep, making it over a mile down.  Many think this makes it the deepest canyon in the world; however, this distinction belongs to Cotahuasi Canyon of Peru, which is over twice as deep. What makes the Grand Canyon truly Grand is the combination of impressive depth, massive width, extraordinary length, and dramatic color.  It's truly one of a kind!

The National Park Service has done a lot to promote education about the land and the peoples who lived here before.

Grand Canyon National Park affords many picture taking opportunities.  There is vista after vista to snap photos.  It is so easy to become enamored with the scenery, but there is so much more!

There are programs and tours of every kind at Grand Canyon National Park.  The mule tours leave from both the north rim or south rim.  Here is the link for more information on the mule tours: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/mule_trips.htm. Ranger led programs go on year round and on a variety of projects.  Here is the link to find out when and where: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/ranger-program.htm.  With multiple visitor centers, information centers, and museums there is no shortage of information and there are great places to pick up a souvenir.  My personal favorite is the Desert View Watchtower.  Here is the link to all of them: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/ranger-program.htm.  Whitewater rafting trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is very popular.  The trips last between 3 and 21 days and require a permit.  You will usually need to obtain these permits well in advance.  Here is the link: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/whitewater-rafting.htm.  There are also shorter half day to one day smooth water trips that can be found at the same link.  For everything else you may need to know to plan an unforgettable, trip of a lifetime here is the link: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/index.htm.

Grand Canyon National Park encompasses several different life zones from the rim at the top to the canyon floor.  Even on a cold winter day, it can be warm in the sunny parts of the lower elevations. When hiking you always want to make sure you carry enough water, even when it seems cool to start!  

You'll also want to notice the life around you.  The Grand Canyon is one of the few places on earth you can be treated to the sight of a California Condor; one of the rarest birds on the planet. We caught a glimpse of one just taking off while we were there, but he flew out of sight before we could get the car pulled over to get a picture.  The biodiversity here is unbelievable!

So start planning your trip now!  You will never regret it!

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