Days 23, 24, 25 Grand Canyon

Natural Wonder!!!  We have spent four days exploring the Grand Canyon in Arizona. 

The view is truly spectacular and so hard to capture!  Geologists agree that the canyon is 6 million years old and was formed when the Colorado Plateau uplifted and the Colorado River downcut the canyon.  This created the depth of the canyon.  Erosion is causing the canyon to get wider.  It is now about 10 miles across.

We spent all of our time on the South Rim of the Canyon which is 8000 feet above the Colorado River.  We walked a few kilometres along the Rim Trail which looked down into the canyon.  We also watched sunset from the rim as the colours on the Canyon walls changed from gray and brown to pink and red.  There is a new Trail of Time along the Rim which displays many of the rocks that line the Canyon's walls.  Sandstone, Limestone, Shale and the bedrock Granite.

Tim, Max and Simon took a hike down into the Canyon on the Angel Bright Trail.  They descended about 1 km into the Canyon on a well marked, busy, and sometimes narrow path.  This is a steep but popular trail and will take you all the way to the bottom of the Canyon.

We decided to camp in Grand Canyon National Park because it would give us some time together and a rest from driving.  But, instead of a rest, we were so busy!!  The Park Rangers offer activities all day long to teach people about the Canyon.  We attended special programs on Condors, Ravens, Raptors, Elk, and the Geology of the Canyon.  We tented for three nights and the temperature dropped to -1 Celsius each night.  

We met several knowledgeable and kind Park Rangers.  One of the Park's programs for Max and Simon was the challenge to become a Junior Ranger.  They were required to attend certain programs and then complete some observations and activity pages in a book.  After they pledged to "enjoy and protect Grand Canyon and all national parks, and to be a friend to planet earth", they received a metal badge that looks very similar to the real Ranger badge!