Aloha from Hawaii: Mesmerizing Visit to one of the seven natural wonders of the world-----Grand Canyon, Arizona.

A panoramic view of the Canyon at Powell point, South Rim

Grand Canyon is one of the natural geological phenomenons ever occurring on planet earth drawing oohs and aahs from visitors perched at the edge of its towering cliffs. It is known throughout the world for its shear dimensions and colorful landscapes. The Grand Canyon (Hopi: Ongtupqa; Yavapai: Wi:kaʼi:la, Spanish: Gran Cañón) is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the state of Arizona in the United States.

Sunrise at Mather point, South Rim

Colorado River flowing through the Canyon, South Rim

It’s hard to pick one thing because everything about Grand canyon is intriguing. I was struck by the sun sparkling across the exposed rock reflecting a rainbow of colors, the delicate curl of the Colorado River in very unusual shades of emerald green, the birds chirping in the pinyon pines — and then a bus grinds past you , full of tourists on a hunt for the best spot to shoot a perfect picture postcards in the park. I was also in a photographer’s paradise, unable to decide where to point my camera and how many clicks for each view, because you can never stop at one, two or three.

A View from the Maricopa Point, South Rim

As the name suggests it is really Grand, but all the synonyms in the world cannot correctly describe its grandeur, you have to see it, feel it, and be part of it to experience its majesty. It is 270 miles long, a number which might just sound big, but you have to look at the other dimensions to put things in focus. At its widest, the Canyon is 18 miles wide, so much so that the island of Manhattan could fit into those 18 miles. It is a mile deep at most places, which is enough to stack three empire state buildings end to end. Now that’s what is really called Grand! Isn’t it? I believe in evolution. But I also believe, when I hike the Grand Canyon and see it at sunset, that the hand of God is there also." said John McCain

Over 1,500 plant, 355 bird, 89 mammalian, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian, and 17 fish species are found in the park.

Elks, Grand Canyon

The massive area today called the Grand Canyon has been and still is home to native cultures. Archaeological studies confirm that the oldest human artifacts in the area date back 12,000 years. The area has been in continuous use since then, inhabited by a range of tribes including Paleo-Indian, Ancestral Puebloan, Cohonina, Southern Paiute, Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo. Some lived in the area while others visited annually for what seems to be religious reasons. The Cohonina were ancestors of the Yuman, Havasupai, and Haulapai peoples who inhabit the area today.

View from the way to Hermit Rest

Its geological importance lies in the fact that the layers and layers of ancient rocks so beautifully preserved and exposed in the walls of the Canyon reveals billions and billions of years of earth’s history.

More than a mile deep at its most majestic, the Grand Canyon can drop the most jaded of jaws. Wind and rain have exposed stratified layers of minerals, which glow in hues of violet, red and gold.

The canyon was cut out of earth by the mighty Colorado River, humorously called as the chief architect of the Canyon. No matter its color, the river is a marvelous sculptor of this canyon. It was Thoreau who noted, “The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touch of air and water working at their leisure with the liberal allowance of time.”

Scientists all over the world are debating over the history and dating of Grand Canyon! The official history seen at the information posts in the canyon itself dates it back within the last 6 million years. Recently the scientists argue that the western part was cut around 70 millions year ago.

In November 2012, geologists Rebecca Flowers of the University of Colorado and Brian Wernicke of the California Institute of Technology used thermochronological data to back up their controversial challenge to the prevailing view that the Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon less than 6 million years ago. Writing in the journal Science, they claimed that an ancient river flowing west to east carved the western part of the Grand Canyon almost to modern depths some 70 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period.

I had the opportunity to visit the south and east rim of Grand canyon with my daughter, son and son in law. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon gets over 5 million visitors each year and by far is the most visited side of the Canyon. We took a road-trip from Los Angeles. As it was a last minute decision, all the lodges and hotels at the Canyon were occupied. We stayed at a small but convenient hotel in the city of Williams, which is also called the gateway to Grand Canyon.

Williams is a small quaint, rustic and laid back town in Arizona and still sustains its old character. It is located on the Historic Route 66. It is named after William “Old Bill” Williams, an early day trapper, and is located just 58 miles from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It is home to the Grand canyon Railway, begun in 1901, the train today is a delightful nostalgia to past. The 60 miles trip begins in Williams and end at Grand Canyon South Rim. The Journey is just fabled taking people to the heart of one of the seven natural wonders of world.

Entry door to the town of Williams, Arizona

Grand Canyon Railway

Grand Canyon Railway gift shop

Grand Canyon Railway

We took state route 64, from Williams and on the way had some memorable views of Kaibab national forest, housing groves of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The village of Tusayan is located two miles south of the park boundary and has an airport, shops, hotels, an IMAX cinema and a large, affordable RV park.

Canyon view information center is located just near the Mather point, and within a short walk offers visitors Canyon View Center, a large bookstore, and ample restrooms and a small café serving snacks, breakfast and lunch. Mather point is also the most sought after point to watch the Sunrise. We reached there around 6 A.M and enjoyed one of the breathtaking Sunrise on the planet. According to Indiatimes.com, the Grand Canyon National Park is one of the best places in the world to see the sunrise. We couldn’t agree more. Even though this natural wonder is already beautiful, it will look even more stunning during sunrise or sunset.

Sunrise from the Mather point

We parked our car at the parking lot and moved across the canyon by shuttles that are offered free. The shuttle system is well managed, with a frequency every 20 minutes. Basically the shuttle system has three main non-overlapping routes:

1. Village Route. This shuttle explores the developed areas including Grand Canyon Village, hotels, restaurants, and the Visitor Center as well as various viewing points to gaze across the magnificent panoramas.

2. Hermit Rest Route. Choose this shuttle to explore about 8 miles of the South Rim just west of Grand Canyon Village.

Scenic panorama along the Hermit Rest route

Scenic panorama along the Hermit Rest route, lost in wilderness

Scenic panorama along the Hermit Rest route

3. Kaibab Trail Route. Kaibab Trail Route – This shuttle goes to Yaki Point and explores the South Kaibab Trail.

You can get off the shuttle at any point, spend as much time you want at that point and again get back into the next available shuttle. The shuttles operate from 4.30 AM to an hour after sunset.

The Desert View Scenic Drive at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is a very scenic stretch of Arizona Highway 64 that extends 25 beautiful miles along the canyon rim. It runs east from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View Overlook, the most eastern view point at the South Rim. Along the way, you can enjoy astounding views from six canyon viewpoints, four picnic areas, and five pullouts that are accessible with private vehicles. There is no shuttle service to Desert View Lookout.

At the end of the Desert view drive is the Desert View Tower, a small cafe and souvenir shop.
The Desert View Watchtower was built in 1932 by Mary Colter, the architect who built several other structures in the park.

The Desert View Tower

View at The Desert View Tower

View from Inside The Desert View Tower

View from the cafe at The Desert View Tower

View from the top of The Desert View Tower

That a woman was responsible for such an important undertaking was a feat in itself at that time. In building the 70 foot tower, Colter mimiced the design of Anasazi watchtowers from the past. She used materials that would help the tower blend in with its surroundings while still offering a heightened view of the canyon below. The top of the tower is the highest point on the South Rim, sitting 7,522 feet above sea level. The bottom level of the tower houses a museum and gift shop, while the top level offers a spectacular view of the Colorado winding through the canyon.

It is said that to real enjoy the beauty of Grand canyon, you should take on short hike, but we were short of time, so just drove along the south rim, took pictures and enjoyed the time together. As John Wesley Powell explained: “You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil. . .through its labyrinths.” We did not have a chance to sojourned down into the canyon, but have enjoyed many views of this magnificent place.

To get more information on the geology of the Canyon, you can stop at the recently done Yavapai Geology Museum. Many good information panels along with pictures are available to satisfy the curiosity of the visitors. Many ranger-led natural history programs on various topics, and short interpretive hikes also led by a park ranger are also available to the tourists.

A view from the Yavapai Geology Museum

Yet another way to enjoy the canyon is on the back of a mule. Mule rides are available in the summer and spring months, but there is a catch! “Each rider must not weigh more than 200 pounds, fully dressed, and, yes, we do weigh everyone!” says the brochure!

Helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon can provide a bird's-eye view of the iconic landmark. But that's nothing compared to what astronauts see as they zip over northern Arizona in the International Space Station.

The Grand Canyon as seen from the International Space Station on Marc h 25, 2014.

Credit: Courtesy ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by the Expedition 39 crew.

Finally as the evening approached, we took the shuttle to Hopi point to watch the sunset. Predicting the quality of a sunset at Grand Canyon is as uncertain as predicting the weather. Air quality, clouds, time of the day, and season will all contribute to your view. We had a cloudy day, so we were not expecting much color, but as the Sun went down, we were treated with the most magnificent and magical color palette by mother nature.

Sunset as seen from the Hopi point

Whether you view it while on a nature walk, on a mule ride down into the canyon or even just by driving around the edge to marvel at the wonder, it will be worth the time and the memory made.

Perched at the rim of the canyon and awing at the sheer breadth and depth of it, does make you realize how insignificant you are! And how incredible the world is! At those times, I agree with John Muir when he said, “It seems a gigantic statement even for nature to make.”