The Grand Canyon was as grand as it’s name! We visited the South Rim, and I felt like I was looking at a living painting from every overlook we ventured. My senses were overwhelmed with the beauty…..
The Grand Canyon became a National Park in 1919 and has since been given the honor as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide, one mile (1.6 km) deep, and covers 1,900 square miles.
The Grand Canyon includes rock at the bottom that is nearly two billion years old!
The numerous overlooks offered unparalleled views of grandeur.
While at the Grand Canyon, we learned authorities were still trying to recover one person who had fallen weeks prior, and another person fell to their death on a day inbetween the two days we visited.
We were seriously flabbergasted at seeing so many people taking chances each day we were there, passing over/under/aside the fencing. Parents taking children with them to do selfies! A bit crazy to say the least, as this teenager was in the next photo.
(People, please be safe and don’t take chances!)
Below the South Rim, the Colorado River flows at an average speed of four miles per hour. Averaging 300 feet wide and 100 feet deep, the river flows west through the Grand Canyon.
Colorado River off in the distance, winding through the Grand Canyon at sunset
The temperatures were in the low to mid 80’s while we were there, but at the canyon’s floor, it soared to over 100 degrees each day. With a required permit, hikers still took to the trailheads and were required to spend the evening in the canyon if hiking to the bottom.
Bright Angel Trailhead – over 18 miles round trip
A horseback trail way down below….
The Grand Canyon is also home to 70 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, 25 species of reptiles, and five species of amphibians.
Only a few came out of hiding for me…..
I had shared a few posts back of Rock Squirrels spotted at the Grand Canyon, here’s a repeat of those cuties.
The “beggar” getting caught in the act!
Common Ravens were in abundance, searching parking lots for food. This one, however, was busily working on collecting nesting materials.
Common Raven
The Roadrunner is clearly named appropriately. He was so fast, this was the only focused photo I got. With an awful background in a parking lot to boot. 🙁
Roadrunner (a new lifer!)
At one instance while standing back and just absorbing it all, I heard/felt (not sure which!) a buzz go by me and turned to see this next Rufous Hummingbird in the brush.
Saw a few bunnies, always adorable of course….
And a mule deer, grazing….
We even got lucky in seeing an Elk, who was too busy eating and wouldn’t look up for a face capture. Great rack though!
One of the two days we stayed until sunset. It’s was surreal…..
I could easily spend a couple weeks venturing throughout the entire park, there is so much more to see and do. Our two days there were exhausting but well-worth the visit!
