Grand Canyon

Welcome, inquisitive traveler, to one of the most magnificent geological textbooks on our planet. You are standing near the edge of the Grand Canyon, an immense chasm carved into the high plateau of northern Arizona. …

As you step up to the railings at Mather Point, the world seemingly drops away from beneath your feet. The ground simply vanishes, replaced by an ocean of empty space and a chaotic sea of eroded rock. …

We now arrive at a fascinating structure perched precipitously on the canyon's edge, the Yavapai Geology Museum. Constructed in nineteen twenty eight, this building was purposefully situated at what early park naturalists…

Let us step onto the paved pathway known as the Trail of Time, a stretch of the Rim Trail connecting the geology museum to the historic village. As you walk this relatively flat, accessible path, you are participating in an…

As we enter the heart of Grand Canyon Village, the rustic charm of the early twentieth century envelops us. Before you stands the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, an elegant, log cabin style structure built in nineteen oh nine by the…

Just steps from the rim, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding pine forest, is the remarkable Hopi House. Constructed in nineteen oh five, this multi story building is a masterpiece of cultural homage and architectural…

Directly adjacent to the Hopi House stands the crown jewel of the South Rim, the magnificent El Tovar Hotel. Opened in early nineteen oh five, mere months before the Hopi House, this sprawling structure was designed to be a…

Following the rim trail a short distance west from the El Tovar, the architectural style changes dramatically as we arrive at the Bright Angel Lodge. If the El Tovar was built for the wealthy elite arriving in private rail cars,…

As we continue along the rim, positioned precariously on the very edge of a sheer cliff, we encounter the Lookout Studio. Built in nineteen fourteen, this is yet another masterpiece by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter. …

We have reached the conclusion of our guided walk along the historic South Rim, standing near the Bright Angel Trailhead where so many journeys into the deep interior begin. Take a moment to rest against the sturdy stone wall and…