Grand Canyon NP -Day 2 - Afternoon

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is the 15th site in the United States to have been named a national park. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, the park is located in northwestern Arizona. The park's central feature is the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, which is often considered one of the Wonders of the World.

Unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size.

Hermits Rest Drive

Hermit Road is a scenic route along the west end of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim which follows the rim for 7 miles (11 km) out to Hermits Rest. Mary Colter, one of Grand Canyon's most famous architects, built Hermits Rest in 1914 to look like an old miner's cabin, complete with a giant fireplace and front porch. Today Hermits Rest has a gift shop and small snack bar. Restrooms are available here. The Hermit Trail, winding steeply down into the canyon, begins about 0.5 miles, 0.8 km west of Hermits Rest.

After the brief morning hike, we headed to the opposite end of the south rim (within the National Park). If you're going to make sandwiches and enjoy lunch in the great outdoors, it's hard to argue with Hermits Rest especially when a rainbow appears over the canyon.

Pima & Maricopa Point

Pima Point is one of the best places on the rim to see and sometimes hear the river. The splash and grind of Granite Rapids below can be heard echoing up the canyon walls on quiet days. The Greenway Trail continues from here to Hermits Rest, allowing bicyclists and visitors using wheelchairs to share the path with pedestrians.

In addition to stunning vistas, Maricopa Point looks out over the former Orphan Lode Mine, claimed in 1891 by miner Dan Hogan. Originally mining copper, Hogan switched to uranium ore in the 1950s. Mining operations ended in 1967. Grand Canyon National Park acquired the property in 1987 but only began major environmental restoration in 2008.

Bright Angel Trailhead

After Hermit's Rest, we returned to the Grand Canyon Village and hiked along the Rim Trail from Verkamp's Visitor Center to the Bright Angel Trailhead. Due to winter conditions and lack of foot traction, we only made it to the upper tunnel of the trail, but even that much lets you appreciate how steep the canyon can be and how treacherous the hiking can be when you're unprepared.