GRAND CANYON REV 1

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merica the beautiful . . . with mountains, valleys, rivers and ponds, woodlands and grassy plains . . . nothing equals the majesty of what was created by millions of years of erosion caused by the Colorado River.

It is the only natural attraction in the country that is visible from outer space. The river carried sand,

gravel and stones that acted like cutting tools, slowly grinding away the rock beneath the flowing water. Seasonal floods gave the river even greater power. Rain, snow, ice and wind also helped shape the canyon. Water entered cracks in the rock and sometimes froze, expanding and breaking pieces loose.

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he now peaceful Colorado River provides an other worldly view of the towering walls of the Canyon. Glide for miles along this ribbon of water that provided nourishment, to survive, raise families and establish irrigation and life for the indigenous tribes that lived on the

cliffs. They used what was available guardians of this natural treasure. irrigation and life for the indigenous tribes that lived on the cliffs. They used what was available

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avasu Falls is a spectacular desert oasis within the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Mineral-rich water tumbles nearly 100 feet over red canyon cliffs into brilliant blue-green pools.

Surrounded by cottonwood trees and rugged canyon walls, the falls have sustained the Havasupai people—“People of the Blue-Green Water”—for generations.

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tanding near the eastern entrance of Grand Canyon National Park, Desert View Watchtower rises dramatically above the South Rim. The circular stone tower is approximately 70 feet tall and commands one of the most extensive views anywhere in the park.

From its windows and observation areas, visitors can see the Colorado River turning through the canyon, the distant North Rim, the Painted Desert and, on a clear day, landscapes extending for more than 100 miles.

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s the afternoon begins to fade, visitors gather quietly at Mather Point to witness one of the Grand Canyon’s most memorable sights. Before them stretches an immense landscape of cliffs, ridges, temples and shadowed ravines. The canyon appears endless, extending toward the horizon beneath the enormous Arizo-

From Mather Point, they seem to rise like castles, pyramids and ancient temples from the depths of the canyon.

As the sun moves lower, its light becomes softer and warmer. The canyon walls begin to glow with shades of amber, copper and brilliant red.

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ising from the eastern Grand Canyon like an enormous stone monument, Mount Hayden is one of the most distinctive formations visible from the North Rim. Its steep, narrow profile stands apart from the surrounding cliffs, making it appear almost like a solitary castle guarding the canyon below. The formation is most famously viewed from Point Imperial, the highest developed overlook on either rim.

From Point Imperial, Mount Hayden dominates the foreground while the vast canyon landscape unfolds behind it. Beyond the formation lie the Nankoweap Basin, Marble Canyon, the Painted Desert and the distant lands of the Navajo Nation. The view is especially impressive because this is where the relatively narrow walls of Marble Canyon begin opening into the wider and more dramatic Grand Canyon.

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otans Throne is one of the Grand Canyon’s most impressive natural monuments. Rising more than a mile above the Colorado River, this massive, flat-topped formation resembles an enormous fortress standing within the canyon. Its broad summit, steep cliffs and layered walls make it especially beautiful when illuminated by the warm light of sunrise or sunset.

At sunrise, Wotans Throne may appear as a dark silhouette against the glowing eastern sky. Later, sunlight touches its upper cliffs, turning them gold, orange and red while deep shadows remain below. At sunset, the changing light again reveals its enormous scale and rugged beauty.

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hipmunks are lively residents of the Grand Canyon’s forests, rocky slopes and rim areas. These small, striped rodents gather seeds, berries and insects, carrying food in expandable cheek pouches. Quick and alert, they often appear near trails, but visitors should observe them quietly and never feed them.

Their coloring and stripes help conceal them among rocks, fallen leaves and forest shadows. Chipmunks shelter in burrows or rocky crevices, where they escape predators and harsh weather. Their seed-gathering activities also help spread plants throughout the canyon’s varied habitats.

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ith wings stretching nearly ten feet from tip to tip, the California Condor is the largest land bird in North America. Condors can sometimes be mistaken for turkey vultures, but their tremendous size, broad wings and steady, level flight help distinguish them.

California Condors are scavengers. They do noto kill animals but feed upon the remains of deer, elk and other large mammals.By removing animal remains, condors perform an important role in the natural environment.