“National Parks of the West – second edition”
Published by Fodor’s Travel Publications
“The World’s most beautiful scar, according to many, the Grand Canyon is a sight that everyone should see at least once in a lifetime. At 277 miles long, 18 miles across at its widest point, the canyon is painted in hues that range from muted pastels to deep purples, vibrant yellows, fiery reds, and soft blues, depending on the ever-changing light. The canyon got its start more than 65 million years ago, when a series of violent geological upheavals created a domed tableland now called the Colorado Plateau. The Colorado River continues to sculpt the canyon’s walls into otherworldly stone monuments, cliffs, and buttes. Indeed, the Grand Canyon is famous for its vertigo-inspiring cliffs, but offers countless other pleasures that are less obvious. The best way to experience them is to hike into the canyon. “What one finds,” wrote author and naturalist Joseph Wood Krutch, “will be what one takes the trouble to look for – the brilliant little flower springing improbably out of the bare, packed sand, the lizard scuttling with incredible speed from cactus clump to spiny bush, the sudden flash or a bright-colored bird. This dry world, all of which seems strange to you, is normal to them. It is their paradise, their universe as it ought to be.”
Of the 5 million people who visit the park annually, 90% enter it at the south rim, which is busy year round. The North Rim draws only 10% of the Grand Canyon’s visitors but is, many believe, even more gorgeous than the South Rim…
November 2004
After a couple of years of traveling around the Grand Canyon through Arizona/Nevada and Utah, I finally made the pilgrimage and was sorely disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, it is an impressive sight…but where was the religious epiphany I was supposed to receive. After a lifetime of stories about the sense of awe and wonder people feel at first sight of the canyon, I expected a little more. I haven’t felt this let down since I rushed to see “The Matrix II”. And after we walked most of the South Rim trail and after a couple of hours, the view became a little blasé. Canyonlands & Arches National Parks have much more character in my humble opinion. Maybe things will be better on the next trip where I’ll hike to the bottom??
On the other hand, the park itself was very well managed and I was very surprised how well they were able to supply all the comforts of home with out compromising the experience. Much of the credit, I think, goes to a female architect from the 30’s who designed many of the hotels and buildings in the Park. The watchtower was fascinating and she apparently personally approved every stone and placement during construction. How’s that for anal. The park, however, is a little small and I would hate to be there during the peak seasons.
The Bright Angel Lodge was a highlight and probably the best dining to be found in the Park at the Arizona Room. The El Tovar hotel was attractive but the dining room was pricy and not very good. The Canyon Cafe is a High school cafeteria if you’re into that kind of thing. The village grocery store was surprisingly well stocked.
Here are the pics (Click on the picture to see full size):
These are low res pictures. I can send you higher quality pictures if you want them
