Today We Cross The Colorado Canyon

Large areas of reddish color … elevations that make us think that we are closer to the clouds … or on the planet Mars. .. in short, a place reserved for the bravest! We crossed the Colorado Canyon and we want to tell you about it in great detail. You can also travel to northern Arizona, in the United States, and enjoy one of the first natural parks in this immense country.

Some facts about the Grand Canyon

Before starting to tell you about this experience, it would be good for you to know a little about the reddish giant of the American west:

• The Colorado River reaches a height of 2,422 meters on the north bank and 2,210 on the south bank. That difference also affects its temperature (from low to high as it rises)

• The width of the river ranges between 16 and 29 kilometers from the north bank to the south
• The maximum height of the Colorado Gorge is 1,470 meters
• There is a distance of 350 kilometers between the east entrance and the west exit of the Grand Canyon
• It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979
• Most of the sedimentary rocks in the area are 2 billion years old.
• The river drainage area was formed 40 million years ago
• The first North American peoples lived in the area about 9,000 years ago
• The first European to step on the Grand Canyon of the Colorado was García López de Cárdenas in the seventeenth century

The Grand Canyon and National Park

If we had to describe the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, words would not be enough for us. It is truly majestic, brilliant, spectacular … It will take your breath away! Its labyrinths, ravines and fissures carved into the rock by nature, the strange formations, the towers and the plateaus will transport you to a magical world.

And if that wasn’t enough, landscapes change depending on the position of the sun ! The Grand Canyon National Park is one of the must-sees in the United States. Many of those who go to Las Vegas, tired of gambling and neon lights, travel almost five hours to this true paradise. But it’s worth the trip!

The most popular place for tourists is the far south visitor center because it has the best views and is easier to access. In the event that you arrive through the north center, you should take into account, for example, that it is closed between October and May and that it does not have as many services. However, it is ideal if you like tranquility and hiking.

The western end is shallower and that is where an indigenous reserve, the Havasupai, lives. Although it is not as spectacular as other areas, it is preferred by those who arrive from Las Vegas, since the trip takes them two hours less.

If your budget allows it, we recommend that you take a helicopter or plane ride above the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. It is certainly an experience that you will not forget in your life. They depart from the Tuyasan airport and serve to appreciate the great immensity of this fault.

Walking the Grand Canyon

If you like hiking, this area is perfect to explore on foot (it is also more affordable than going through the air). To enjoy each corner you have to go down to its base. The preferred route for tourists begins at the Grand Canyon Village and is called Bright Angel.

Along the route you will find stands with drinking water, essential in an area with high temperatures all year round. The climb back is somewhat difficult, therefore you can do short walks.

6 kilometers from the exit is the Tonto Plain and Indian Gardens. Another interesting point is Rancho Fantasma (20 kilometers away). Some choose to stay the night here to continue the walk very early in the morning.

If you are not a lover of trekking,  in the Grand Canyon you can enjoy many activities and extreme sports such as rappelling or rafting. For those who prefer something quieter, the South Visitor Center offers an excellent documentary on a giant screen.

The legend

There is a beautiful legend that explains how the Grand Canyon came to be. Havasupai say that at the beginning of time there were two gods. Tochapa, the good one, and Hokomata, the evil one.

Tochapa had a daughter, Pu-keh-eh, who was called to be the mother of all living beings. Hokomata the evil one wanted to avoid it and sent a great flood to the world. But Tochapa hung her daughter from a huge tree, and when the waters receded, the rivers appeared. One of them created the huge gap that became the Grand Canyon. It may not be true but it is a beautiful legend.

With its incredible landscapes, the activities that can be done in it and its legends, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado is one of the places that no one should miss.