South West USA
Grand Canyon

One of the best known tourist destinations on earth, the Grand Canyon is difficult to photograph, hard to write about and a challenge to take in. It is 5,000 feet deep and ten miles wide - more in places. That is so big that no viewpoint gives you the full picture. The only thing to do is to tour the viewpoints, look over the edge - and wonder. Of course, you can fly over it for $70-$120 (more if you go by helicopter, or from a distant boarding point) but even that won't show you the whole thing.

It is said that the average tourist looks at the Grand Canyon for 45 minutes! A good way to take it in is to stay for 24 hours, visiting every viewpoint on both the West and the East Rim. To really do it justice takes much, much longer. To get down into the canyon you need a pass and a lot of energy. Just to get down there takes all day, and the authorities don't take chances - they'd rather not have to rescue you!		Entrance to the National Park costs $20 per vehicle for a 7-day ticket. The main tourist area is on the South Rim, with metalled roads leading West for 14 miles (West Rim Drive) or East for 25 miles (East Rim Drive). Private cars are not allowed on the West Rim Drive at peak seasons, so you have to use the shuttle buses. The East Rim Drive is a public road, which meets the Arizona/Utah interstate at Cameron.
	Grand Canyon Village exists for tourists - but it has a large supermarket, restaurant, cafeteria and Post Office. Peering over the edge you catch an occasional glimpse of the Colorado - so far away that its torrent appears like a tiny stream. Sunset and sunrise are worth seeing if you can stand the cold and sacrifice some sleep. Sunlight catches odd rocks and promontories to create stunning effects.
	If you travel East, the last stop-off point is Desert View, dominated by an impressive stone tower (right). You'll have a long drive before reaching the next civilisation, so use the facilities before you move on (shop, toilets and a nearby petrol station).
©Derrick Phillips 2004

South West USA Grand Canyon

South West USA
Grand Canyon