How Does One See The Grand Canyon

One???? Almost five million people see the Grand Canyon every single year . . one!!

Okay, okay, how do five million people every year see the Grand Canyon? To be honest, most of ’em look out of their car windows at the Grand Canyon, there are some great overlooks on the South Rim at Grand Canyon Village, Desert View and Hermits Rest . . . to mention but a few. The most accessible section of the Grand Canyon National Park, and the bit which is open all year is 80 miles northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona, and 60 miles from Williams . . . on the South Rim (the North Rim closes in the winter).

Most people do visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, although around 10% of visitors choose to visit the North Rim instead (usually those people who prefer to escape the crowds). The North Rim is around 1000 feet higher than the South Rim and is much less accessible to visitors, as I’ve already mentioned it is completely unaccessible from late October time through to mid May when snow completely shuts things down and the road is closed. Even when the weather is good, seeing the Grand Canyon from the North Rim is much more difficult.

More current news and information on the Grand Canyon National Park Facebook page.

Aye aye aye, that’s high, high, high!

See The Grand Canyon From The Inside

The kinds of people who view the Grand Canyon from the inside are hikers, river runners and mule riders. If you’re one of those adventurous types who likes to put a little action into their vacations, then there are plenty of opportunities at The Grand Canyon . . . you can backpack, hitch a ride on a mule or take a river trip down the Grand Canyon, however, there are no “day trips” available on the river, it can take anywhere from just a few days to as much as three weeks. Crossing the Grand Canyon is quite a challenge in itself. There’s a narrow footbridge (yes, walkers only) 70 feet above the water (for walkers who ain’t afraid of heights) on the South Kaibab Trail, if you want to cross the Grand Canyon by car then there’s only one place you can do it, and that’s close to Lees Ferry at Navajo Bridge at a narrow point of the Grand Canyon, it only measures 400 feet across at this point.

Jump? It’s Awesome? Are these people completely nuts? It made me come over all peculiar just watching . . . I’ll take a mule ride anytime.

On second thoughts, I guess the jumpers get the scary bit over and done with in a couple of minutes. Thank goodness the mules know the way . . . those are very brave mules!