The Grand Canyon

THE GRAND CANYON

Our 5^th visit to the Grand Canyon National Park in the last 30 years and it never fails to disappoint. BUT this would have been our first visit to the North Rim, upon arrival we were notified the Nort Rim was closed for another 3 weeks (Winter closure)

Grand Canyon National Park, in Northern Arizona, encompasses 447 km of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on ancestral homeland of 11 Tribal Communities, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world. I would say closely followed by the Fish River Canyon in Namibia (Africa)

Due to the North Rim being closed we decided to do the Grand Canyon skywalk instead.  The Grand Canyon Skywalk offers the chance to see the canyon’s western end from a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that extends 22 meters over the canyon’s rim. The view looks out over the canyon bottom 1200 meters below. The Hualapai Tribe does not allow private vehicles to drive to the Skywalk. Besides Carparking the cost of walking the glass bridge that extends 22 meters over the canyon’s rim is $110 AUD what made us decide not to go was the fact that the website promotes the fact that the glass bridge as strong enough to support the weight of 70 Boeing 747 jumbo jets at full capacity. But we were not allowed to take our camera, cell phone for safety reasons and to protect the glass. However, we could have our pictures taken by a photographer for an extra $100 AUD.

Grand Canyon West, which is operated by the Hualapai Tribe, this is a separate attraction from Grand Canyon National Park, which is operated by the National Park Service.

The Grand Canyon National Park is part of 11 tribes’ ancestral homelands.

The Grand Canyon is over 430 kilometres long, 30 kilometres wide and up to 1.6 kilometres deep. The Grand Canyon is a 1.7 billion years in the making UNESCO HERITAGE SITE. Native Americans Hopi and Navajo still live in the canyon. On an average busy day in the season up to 50.000 people visit the Grand Canyon National Park. Last year (2023) over 5.7 million people in total visited the National Park.

Grand Canyon National Park is popular and very busy. Being so close to the entrance we entered the park at 7.30-8AM before the masses arrived. The Grand Canyon is amazing and despite 4 previous visits in the last 30 years its powerful landscape is breathtaking with deep valleys, temple like buttes and the panoramic multi coloured cliffs are just scenic wonders. Looking at the canyon from the rim is like looking at a masterpiece. Except this is natural and each layer of rock tells a story. While we were here people spotted Condors. Unfortunately, we did not. But we did see Big Horn Sheep and Elk. The Grand Canyon and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia are 2 places in the world what are national wonders. As someone said: Where the Earth opens in a great display the canyons majesty steals the show.

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the world’s premier natural attractions, there are many viewing points on all sides of the canyon, with the most accessible locations inside the National Park and the Hualapai Indian reservation.

About 90% of tourists visit the South Rim only 10% visit the North Rim with very few amenities. We did travel the North side but were unable to come near the rim due to the seasonal closures. Most tourist visit the south rim and the Grand Canyon village during a one-day road trip or train ride. Most visit the viewpoints on the west side of the village, But the East side is possible even nicer and a lot less crowded. The camp sites are crowded offer little and are expensive. Hence, we camped just outside the park in the bush. No generators, no aircons running all night great secluded spots in the bush.

During our previous visit we were advised of a plan with an IMAX theatre and a gondola to the canyon floor, but we are told this was rejected by the Navajo Nation council.

Fatalities are frequent in the Grand Canyon mainly from falls, heat stroke, dehydration, drownings in the Colorado River, airplane, and helicopter crashes. (242)  Hence, we decided against a helicopter flight

After 3 days exploring the Grand. Canyon, we left the Park via the Canyon, trance.

Till next time from Flagstaff where we will be presenting 20 years overland in a vehicle around the world, at the largest 4×4 overland show in the world.