The Grand Canyon
Or Just A Big Hole in the Ground
That is what most people would say about the Grand Canyon. My oldest sister is not even remotely close to being interested in rocks. We traveled here as a family when I was in fourth grade. I have vague, but vivid, memories of this trip. My sister kept reiterating how it was just a giant hole in the ground. We took the train from Williams and spent half a day at the Grand Canyon. I still love the robbery they staged on the way back, and I can’t wait to participate in it again.
During college, I became acutely aware that the Grand Canyon was only a few hours’ drive from Las Vegas. It’s also weirdly talked about in the geology department, as are so many parks, and you just sort of nod along if you haven’t been there. I wasn’t lying when I had said I had been to the Grand Canyon, but I didn’t really remember going either.
Four of my closest friends and I planned a trip in 2014. We arrived in town late the night before and didn’t get the chance to eat dinner. So instead, as any group of 21-year olds would do, we drank. A lot. The next morning, we were all hungover and had some Mexican cuisine before our journey to the Grand Canyon. I typically have a very active memory. But for some reason, this trip was hazy. Or maybe it was the hangover. I’m not sure which to be honest.
Here we are in 2014, posing like the geology nerds that we are.
So, I decided it was time to re-venture to the hole in the ground, as a fully educated geologist. Surely it would be as fascinating as I remember. And yes, it most certainly was.
We camped in Williams, Arizona. This quaint town has route 66 running right through it. I love to camp in this area, and the nearby Kaibab National Forest has plenty of secluded spots to lay your head. There was an active fire ban in effect, so we brought with us some lanterns and chose to enjoy the millions of visible stars.
My tent, illuminating the darkness.
On the morning of our visit we made pancakes, bacon, and eggs. The drive was just under an hour from town to the Tusayan entrance to the Grand Canyon. It was a hot day, but we found plenty of shade while walking between viewpoints.
Visiting the park itself doesn’t require any hiking to make the most of your trip. There are several locations that allow you to dip down into the canyon for a bit to experience the splendor of the canyon, but we didn’t do that this trip. Amanda and I both brought hiking shoes on this trip but left them in our car. Dave, Amanda’s 13-year-old brother, only brought his brand new, white Vans. So, we decided that walking around the rim would be plenty.
We parked and were ready to roll by 1 Pm. From the parking lot, we took the quick stroll to the edge of the canyon. Honestly the view was breathtaking. At 18 miles at its widest point, you can see the impressive strength that water has on our planet. The canyon is about 5.5 million years old. And in that time the Colorado river was able to down cut over a mile of rock, exposing some of the oldest rocks on the planet, from the Precambrian Era in the Vishnu Basement Rocks, about 1.6 billion years old.
We talked about the geologic history of the area while walking between viewpoints. The Grand Canyon is easily accessible by all who wish to visit. There’s paved sidewalks and few steps that are required to truly enjoy the splendor. Overall, you can spend a half or full day here happily, without requiring a hike.
I would recommend packing a lunch to enjoy the view within a shaded location. Be careful about the squirrels in the area. Those little suckers are relentless and will bite you to try and get some food! Be aware that squirrels, prairie dogs, and other small mammals can carry diseases such as rabies, the plague, and Lyme disease.
We drove over to the Grand Canyon village. Here, you’ll find the train depot, a lodge, some gift shops, and ice cream! We each got a small cup of ice cream to enjoy in the heat. One of the best photo locations in the park is just in front of the Grand Canyon lodge, where the American flag flies proudly. We could not resist sitting on the small rock wall to take a photo.
By the end of our day, we were exhausted and ready to head back to camp for some hot dogs, s’mores, and stars.
This feels like a trip I will take rather frequently. It’s easy to get to and doesn’t require much preparation. Overall, I think this is a must visit for anyone who is in the area. If you’re planning on visiting Las Vegas or Phoenix anytime soon, allow yourself a day or two to visit the Grand Canyon!
I wish I knew what was happening here. But I don’t.
