Natural Scenic Wonders of North America
Grand Canyon

The favorite in North America

Grand Canyon Overview

Scenery around the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is quite inspiring. You can walk for several miles along the canyon walls. There are many places along the way to stop, rest or take pictures. It is quite exciting and rather memorable to be able to get within feet of the walls itself as many of the lookouts have locations that allow you to down below for hundreds of feet (many with no barriers). You can spend hours here, just looking at the many views of the canyon. A return visit ( Special effort was made to return ) is likely what most would do, if they could just see it for the first time. I thought that the most striking features of visiting the Grand Canyon were the colors, the deepness of the Canyon itself, and being able to get so close up to the walls of the canyon. Have visited this area twice, and still wish to return several times more. Here is one place that I have been able to sit down for over a half an hour and just view what is before me. The walk along the canyon walls will leave you breathless as there are many times where there are no barricades and you are within feet of the ledge that drops over 1000 feet below. Truly my favorite.

The first walk into the Canyon itself is quite different. Anticipation levels are high, yet at the beginning there is little to see, that is until you are within feet of the canyon itself. One can be overtaken by the expanse and beauty that is before your eyes, so if you have this opportunity, take your time, and experience one of natures greatest thrills. An awesome feeling as one completes the walk several hundred feet to the canyon rim. Heartbeat rises to the point, where as you are leaning over the ledge, it increases to match the excitement level. This first walk is something to remember. Here is ours!

Lodging & Walking Trails within the Grand Canyon National Park are available. One is able to walk down to the Colorado river at the bottom. There you can stay overnight and rest up for the return journey the next day. Superb lodging & tourist shops are also available at the rim itself. A visit to the river below was not completed. Perhaps that is why the walk thru the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon remains so special. Something to remember on your travels, see everything and attempt what is available. This trail to the bottom of the Canyon Canyon and the Colorado river is one that should be attempted if possible.

The trails alongside the canyon itself are not as well maintained or travelled as the south side. One is able to get closer to the canyon walls but it seems far more unsafe than at the South Rim. The drive from Page has many photogenic moments also, and should really be considered as part of the trip to the North Rim. The views have a different perspective compared to the South Rim and in many cases you are able to see across valleys that are no more than 1000 yards apart By itself it has some gorgeous scenery. I just found however that the South Rim provided for that extra feeling of closeness with more breathtaking views. One significant view at the base of the Lodge is exceptional where you can actually walk out to a ledge that seems to hover in the air. Not a long visit here, but long enough to say while many scenes are similar to the south rim, this northern exposure has its` own uniqueness. One of the most recognizable it the ledge that overlooks the canyon with views back to the Northern Canyon lodge. Here you are within inches of the canyon floor below, some 1000 feet. Also this area seems to provide more horse trips to the floor of the canyon.

A platform made and designed to go over the Grand Canyon. Truly a first to be able view down thousands of feet with no barriers except for the glass under your feet. Never thought that we would be able to say there is another great way to see the Grand Canyon, but here it is. A very rare occurrence indeed, something from my daughter who was fortunate enough to visit the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. Pictures just had to make it to the web site as the topic is definitely one of my favorites.