"The Grand Canyon Always Makes You Feel Young" Grand Canyon by AKtravelers

Grand Canyon Travel Guide: 926 reviews and 3,050 photos

Andrea and I keep warm at a sunrise in 1993 - Grand Canyon
Andrea and I keep warm at a sunrise in 1993
Going Below the Rim

There are lots of amazing statistics about the Grand Canyon, but the one that continues to befuddle us is that 99% of the visitors never venture more than a quarter mile below the rim. Most visitors come, spend a few hours driving from overlook to overlook, read about all of the other fascinating statistics and then leave. I hope by reading our Grand Canyon page covering three visits in the 1990's (one to the North Rim and two to the South Rim) that you'll follow our example and always make sure you go in the canyon. Because that's where you really experience it.
There is one other statistic worth mentioning -- the age of the Grand Canyon. Some of the stones at the bottom are two billion years old (not a typo). The building of this natural wonder happens on a time scale so long as to be unappreciable by humans. The good news is that even though many pictures on this page are over 10 years old, they are no different than pictures taken last year as far as the Canyon is concerned. Furthermore, its hard to feel old at all in the presence of such ancient rock. To go down into the canyon is to go back in time, layer by layer. You, by contrast, are forever young!

Mule Rides on Every Visit
Lenny the mule enjoys the view - Grand Canyon

Lenny the mule enjoys the view

Each time we visited the Grand Canyon, we've taken a mule ride into it. The first visit, in May 1993, was part of our honeymoon and we made reservations far in advance -- for the high season this is a necessity. On the other visits -- in December 1995 and July 1997 to the North Rim, we were lucky enough to walk up and get an opening. There are often cancellations for a variety of reasons (last-minute fear, missing the 200 pound weight limit) and on the less crowded North Rim or in the off season there are very few walk-up riders. On all of our mule trips except the North Rim, we spent the night at the Phantom Ranch along the Colorado River. It was a great experience and we'll write tips and travelogues detailing each ride.

A Premier American Destination
A Premier American Destination - Grand Canyon

We love the Grand Canyon and even though we've visite three times, it's not enough. One day we will return to raft the Colorado River and hike some of the more remote portions of the Canyon. In the meantime, we have plenty of great memories of this great American place -- a must see for anyone visiting the southwestern U.S.

Pros and Cons
  • In a nutshell:I hope I look this good when I'm 2 billion years old!
  • Last visit to Grand Canyon: Jul 1997
  • Intro Updated Jul 5, 2006
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Reviews (12)

Winter clouds and shadows t the Grand Canyon - Grand Canyon Bad Weather Can Be Good Favorites (1)

If you are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, don't worry about the weather. First of all, given that you're in a... more travel advice

Plodding down the snow covered trail - Grand Canyon Our Winter Mule Ride: 1996 Things to Do (7)

On a 1996 trip to southern Arizona, we found that we had more time than expected (mainly because Tombstone was such a... more travel advice

Me amidst the greenery of the North Rim - Grand Canyon The North Rim: Off the Beaten Track Off The Beaten Path (1)

If you are looking to avoid the Grand Canyon's summer crowds but still see one of America's greatest sightes, you should... more travel advice

WARNING: This scenery contains rattlesnakes - Grand Canyon Rattlesnakes: Overrated Warnings and Dangers (2)

If the one thing that is stoppping you from hiking the Grand Canyon is the fear of poisonous snakes, think again. Though... more travel advice

Comments (5)

  • Reply
    Jerelis's Profile Photo
    Nov 3, 2006 at 8:11 AM

    Yavaupi Point is a great point for the sunset! Great pictures.

  • Reply
    jadedmuse's Profile Photo
    Sep 16, 2006 at 2:22 PM

    Confucius say, "he who mounts ass, gets butt blisters". I guess that's a little bit of Eastern philosophy meeting the Wild Wild West (or maybe just a French double entendre...)

  • Reply
    goingsolo's Profile Photo
    Jun 10, 2006 at 7:00 PM

    I remember those switchbacks quite well. Grueling. I had the pleasure of hiking for three days in a storm too. Did you get to check out the indian ruins near Indian Gardens? Absolutely incredible!

  • Reply
    Dutchnatasja's Profile Photo
    Jan 12, 2006 at 12:25 AM

    Beautiful pictures!! It brings me back to 1996, the year I visited this amazing place; The Grand Canyon!! Thanks for sharing your pictures and story with us. Greetings from Natasja

  • Reply
    sue_stone's Profile Photo
    Jan 7, 2006 at 4:28 AM

    Magnificent photos of this amazing place that I will visit one day....but don't like the sound of those butt blisters!!

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