The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon

From what was at one time flat desert land, the Colorado River has over millions of years carved the mile deep canyon. Going down the canyon is like going back in time, trapped in the walls is fossilized evidence of the entire history of life on Earth.

The Colorado River

The Colorado runs from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and flows Southwest for 1,470 miles through Utah and Arizona on its way to The Gulf Of Mexico. The name Colorado comes from the Spanish for "The Color Red" After rainfall the river appears to run red as it is full of sandy sediment from the many canyons that it runs through.

At the time of the following photographs July 19-24 2000 it had not rained for about three months so the Colorado River appears mostly Green/Blue.

I arrived at the town of Tusayan late in the afternoon. Tusayan is at the entrance to the South gate of the Grand Canyon National Park and I was very surprised to easily find a motel room since it was now the height of the tourist season.

My First Views of The Grand Canyon

I drove through the park gates and a couple of miles down the road parked the car. I walked through some trees and then suddenly I was hit by this huge absolutely stunning vista.

Views From The East Rim And Watchtower

While at one of the viewing points a family arrived beside me, the little boy looked over the edge turned to his parents and said....

So we paid $20.00 to look at a hole in the ground??

Flying The Grand Canyon

July 21 2000: Today is my Birthday and I am in for a very special treat, I am going to fly over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter. I had chosen Air Star Helicopters because I knew that with them I would not be seated facing backwards, in fact I was seated at the front.

While taking photographs from the helicopter I was using a polarizing filter to block the glare and reflection from the helicopter canopy, on a few shots this was unavoidable.

The Confluence

The point where the Little Colorado and the Colorado Rivers meet is known as the Confluence. Upstream from this point on the Colorado is known as Grand Colorado and the canyon it passes through is Marble Canyon. The Little Colorado River is a major tributary and is fed by seasonal runoff as well as Mineral Springs. It is these springs that give the river its crystal blue color when runoff is low.

A Birds Eye View

The helicopter flew from Tusayan East over the Kaibab National Forest then turned North flying out over The Grand Canyon passing the Confluence and over the North Rim then turned West for a while before heading South back across the canyon and then then East back to Tusayan. The flight took about 50 minutes. Grand Canyon National Park restrictions forbid flights over the main tourist places like The Bright Angel Trail. This is to protect other sightseers from the nuisance of air traffic noise but it also means that by flying you will see sights that others will not see. Air Star Helicopters provided a running commentary providing names and information about the sights.

Hiking In The Grand Canyon

I had decided that I should hike into the canyon. I wasn't equipped to stay overnight so I would have to come back out the same day. The main problem was going to be the heat. At the rim of the canyon it was 80-90f (26-23c) and I knew that inside the canyon it would be much hotter. To (hopefully) avoid the worst of the heat, I decided that I should start the decent at Dawn and aim to be out of the canyon before midday. I took a good supply of water, food and plenty of fruit.

The hike out of The Grand Canyon was extremely hard. The water I had soon became hot so I replaced it at the water outlets along the way, first at the Indian Gardens. By the time I reached the Three Mile Resthouse the water was hot again. I found the apples and oranges did much more to quench my thirst and keep me going. The trail became steeper and harder with every step. By the time I reached the Mile and a Half Resthouse the heat exhaustion was getting to me. I took the water hose and held it over my head till I cooled down. The last mile and a half was the hardest hike I have ever done. It is easy to see how people get stuck in the canyon and have to be rescued. In fact while I was on the way out a helicopter flew into the canyon to rescue someone. I finally arrived back at the Bright Angel Trailhead at about 2pm. It felt so good to get into the car and just sit with the air conditioning on.

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