Grand Canyon National Park — Attraction in Kanab

The Grand Canyon is a true geological gem, a magnificent natural wonder, and a UNESCO world heritage site! I’ve explored it from top to bottom - from above, flying overhead and walking the rim, to below, rafting 188 out of the 278 miles of the Colorado River that winds through the mile-deep canyon!

I’ve had so many incredible experiences in this magical park - sleeping under the stars for the first time, plowing through exhilarating (and freezing) whitewater rapids, hiking to several beautiful waterfalls, and touching 1.8 billion year old rock just to name a few.

There are over 450 species of birds, 17 endemic animals, and thousands of other species of creatures. I’ve seen countless birds, numerous lizard and butterfly species, big horned sheep, ring-tailed cats, scorpions, tarantulas, and giant tarantula hawk wasps!

Two of my favorite features of the canyon are the confluence of the Little Colorado River with the main Colorado River and The Great Unconformity.

The merging of the main Colorado River with its tributary, the Little Colorado River, is a dramatic clashing of the silty, milky, warm, vibrant orange waters of the Little Colorado with the deep dark green frigid waters of the Colorado itself. The clashing of the colors is just breathtaking! And the surrounding area is so gorgeous - I could spend days exploring this part of the canyon and still not be satisfied lol!

But The Great Unconformity is endlessly fascinating to me - it’s a geological mystery where very young rock meets the earths oldest rock - leaving an unexplained gap of missing rock that spans the entire US continent and is on display in the canyon like nowhere else. The missing rock ranges in age from 175 million years all the way up to 1.6 billion years!! And there’s currently no accepted explanation for the missing layers!! It’s fascinating to read about and consider all the hypotheses floating around out there!

I was fortunate enough to embark on an 8-day rafting expedition this past summer - just after the Dragon Bravo Fire. Exploring the river and canyon after that devastating fire was something I’ll never forget. Once the rains started washing the dark orange silt into the Colorado, it went from clear deep green to a milky orange thickly laced with dark black soot. The smell of ash hung thick in the air and permeated the water - and seemed to cling to everything. Patches of scorched earth whizzed by in spurts. It was heartbreaking to see the fresh burn scars.

But this landscape is no stranger to fire. We also explored some much older burn scars that were resplendent with new growths of all sorts of vegetation and buzzing with all the life the renewal brings - so I was reassured and hopeful for nature’s recovery.

The Grand Canyon is sometimes considered one of the wonders of the world and it’s definitely something that should be on every explorer’s bucket list. It’s a science/research hotspot and we ran into several research groups during my rafting trip. I fully intend to visit again and hope to take my son rafting...

I recently had the privilege of exploring the mesmerizing Grand Canyon located in Utah, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations in every imaginable way. This natural wonder has carved its own unique identity, offering a breathtaking display of geological marvels that left me in awe.

The moment I stood at the rim of the Grand Canyon, a rush of emotions overwhelmed me. The vast expanse before my eyes seemed to stretch endlessly, with dramatic cliffs and rugged formations in every direction. The layers upon layers of rock, painted in various shades of red, orange, and brown, told the geological story of millions of years, leaving me humbled and appreciative of nature's artistic prowess.

Hiking along the well-maintained trails in the Grand Canyon was an adventure I will forever cherish. The ever-changing vistas kept me captivated, as each turn revealed a new perspective of this natural masterpiece. The sheer immensity of the canyon, combined with the contrasting colors of the rock formations, created a visual symphony I could not get enough of.

Photographers and artists will find themselves in paradise amidst the beauty of the Grand Canyon in Utah. Every angle presented a new composition, begging to be captured and immortalized. From vibrant sunrises casting a golden glow over the canyon walls to mesmerizing sunsets illuminating the landscape in a warm embrace, this place truly evokes a sense of wonder and admiration.

Perhaps one of the most profound aspects of my visit was the feeling of complete tranquility that permeated the air. Standing alone on the rim, witnessing the magnitude of the natural world before me, I found an overwhelming sense of peace. Time seemed to stand still as I soaked in the serenity of this majestic place, far away from the noise and distractions of the modern world.

While visiting the Grand Canyon in Utah, I highly recommend taking advantage of the various viewpoints and lookout spots. Each one provides a distinct perspective and offers a unique glimpse into the grandeur of this natural wonder. Furthermore, the well-informed park rangers and staff were incredibly helpful, providing insightful information about the canyon's geology and history.

Whether you're a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or simply someone longing for a profound connection with the Earth, the Grand Canyon in Utah promises an unforgettable experience. Prepare to be mesmerized by the sheer beauty of this geological phenomenon as it unveils its remarkable secrets. The Grand Canyon in Utah is a testament to the wonders of our planet and a destination that will leave an everlasting impression...

I still cannot believe how amazing this place is. I arrived on May 24th and stayed through to the morning of the 27th. While I was there I hiked the entire South Rim of the canyon. If you are adventurous, once you get to the halfway point of the full rim, going east to west, there is a path that runs mostly parallel to the paved South Rim trail. It brings you anywhere from a few feet to over 100 yards closer to the canyon rim, depending on the area. A large chunk of this trail is on the rim of the canyon, and it results in some great views. About the only negative experience I had on this day was just bad timing, lol. I would reach a popular viewpoint just minutes after a shuttle bus would drop off about 30 people. It was always the same people too, lol.

On another day I attempted to hike into the rim to the canyon floor. One wonderful thing about the Grand Canyon National Park is that they have water refill stations everywhere. Unfortunately, all of those stations on the trail into the canyon were turned off. I went in carrying a gallon of water, and when I reached the 2nd rest house (3 miles of trail, took me a little over 2,000 feet down) it was the second time I found the water shut off. I only had 2/3 of a gallon of water at this point, and a heck of a climb to get out of there, so I had to turn around. I will come back though, and I WILL go to the canyon floor.

Another wonderful thing about the park is the wildlife. If you get yourself out there, you WILL see elk and other wildlife. In one of the pictures I posted, I came within about 40-50 feet of an elk cow just chillin' underneath a tree. She saw me, and I moved very carefully by her, and she stayed put. It was an awesome experience. As for the canyon, if you figure out a way to take a bad pic, let me know, lol.

Some negatives... If you are a tent camper, depending on how long you stay and how dirty you are prepared to get, be prepared to pay $5.00 for a whole 5 minutes of shower... under one of those water saving shower heads, lol. I washed my pits and undercarriage in the sink of the camp area restroom the first couple of nights, and soaked my hair, but my last day I wanted to be really clean, so I paid it. The only other negative experience I had is that on two nights the quiet of the night was broken by your typical jock douchebag types, who had no consideration for the people they might be waking at 1am. Even the lack of manners and common sense by these guys could not take away from the overall experience of park. Still a...