Grand Canyon Adventure

The Grand Canyon in Arizona, is not the largest, nor the longest, nor the deepest canyon in the world. However, the gorge cut ages ago by the Colorado River earns its name not from its size, but from its spectacular beauty and awe-inspiring vistas. And, it’s still unimaginably large. In fact, the canyon is so big that one can usually find a peaceful spot to contemplate this behemoth of a landmark, even with five million visitors a year at Grand Canyon National Park.

The colorful layers of rocks exposed in the Grand Canyon are old, 2,000 million years by some estimates. The park itself seems infantile by those standards, although it is actually one of the oldest national parks in the country, designated as such in 1919, three years after the creation of the National Park Service. However, it was first afforded federal protection in 1893 as a Forest Reserve and later as a National Monument. The stream of visitors has been steady ever since, with most arriving at the South Rim, which is 30 miles and is accessible by park roads. For those wanting to forego air-conditioning, the Grand Canyon offers amazing hiking, from short loops on well-maintained trails to serious and lengthy treks through the wilderness.

South Rim's Grand Canyon Village is the hub of activity for canyon visitors. A variety of accommodations, from historical landmarks, quaint cabins, modern facilities or camping and hookups for RVs, are available. Museums, gift shops, restaurants, mule rides, train rides and other activities are clustered here as well. Yet, it is the spectacular canyon views that bring the visitors back each year. The Visitor Center, which was previously located here, is now across from Mather point.

The second overlook along the West Rim Drive affords sightseers a partial view of Bright Angel Trail. From this point, visitors will find themselves at some 7,050 feet. In 1976, the world's first foot-launched hang gliding flight into the Canyon was executed from this lookout. Access to this point is via the trail system linking the overlooks along West Rim Drive and by shuttle in the summer months.

Though this is not by any means the only place in the area specializing in steaks and barbecue, the food is done well here—and well done, if you prefer. The staff is friendly and dining here feels like stepping into an old Gunsmoke episode. As you would expect, this spot is designed to resemble a Wild West saloon. Full bar service is available. On weekends, the live music will set your toes to tappin'. Steaks, prime rib and barbecue dinners are simple but satisfying.

Adventurous visitors to the Grand Canyon who wish to hike down into the spectacular geological wonder can choose from two maintained South Rim hiking routes, one of which is the Bright Angel Trail. This trek is not a spur of the moment endeavor, but a trip the hiker should carefully plan out. Descending 4,000 feet, this eight-mile trip to the Canyon floor takes approximately five hours going down, and nine hours returning. Although this trail is considered the most popular and easiest of the two maintained trails on the South Rim, hikers have rated it "strenuous." This place is open sunrise to sunset.

Located in Williams' oldest building, this Mexican cantina calls itself the town's funnest restaurant, and you may very well agree. Sonoran-style Mexican and Southwestern cuisine are served in the former "Cabinet Saloon," renowned for its gunfights and shady ladies. Many of the building's original architectural features remain, including the ceiling trim and hand-painted wainscoting. The building is directly across from the train depot in the downtown historic district. The usual suspects including burritos, enchiladas, tacos, chicken, beef and pork combination plates, go well with the frosty Margaritas and other house specialty drinks. Both smoking and non-smoking dining rooms are available.

See the Grand Canyon's majesty through the eyes of the earliest explorers, from the back of a sure-footed mule! Canyon Trail Rides hosts mule and horseback expeditions into the heart of the canyon, with tours ranging from one hour's romp to a full day's descent on Kaibab Trail. Choose a half-day trek to Uncle Jim's Point or Supai Tunnel, an unforgettable experience for around USD40 per person. North Rim rides begin at Grand Canyon Lodge at 8 a.m.

The Bright Angel Lodge's food service operations include a full-service family restaurant, open for three meals daily, an ice cream fountain that also serves snacks, soft drinks and coffee and a lounge with live entertainment nightly from March-December. The restaurant serves home-style breakfasts, sandwiches, soups and salads at lunch. Beef, poultry, pork and pasta entrées are available at dinner. Furnishings are of solid woods and the decor is rustic and comfortable. Service is friendly and efficient.

Bring your camera and video camera and get a glimpse of the Grand Canyon from the comfort and unbeatable viewpoint of a small aircraft. A guided tour of the Canyon is included on each flight and home video hookups allow you to record the memorable moments. The high-wing Cessna planes are designed so that every seat is a window seat, affording each passenger a premium unobstructed view. Tours range from 20-90 minutes; tours of Monument Valley and Lake Powell are also available.

The Skywalk offers visitors an absolutely stunning view of the Grand Canyon, from a Glass Bridge suspended 4,000 ft above the Colorado River. Located on the Hualapai reservation just west of Grand Canyon Village, this $40 million architectural marvel juts out 70 ft from the edge of the chasm, with a glass-bottomed walkway revealing the canyon from a dizzying perspective. Opened in March 2007, upwards of one million pounds of steel went into the construction of the Skywalk, which can withstand 71 million pounds of weight and canyon winds of 100mph. All in all, a not-to-be-missed, seeing-is-believing, step-out-over-eternity experience, even for the likes of Buzz Aldrin. Admission USD25.

This establishment's big claim to fame is that it holds the state's longest continuous liquor license, but that is not the only reason to drop by this historic property. Though it may not be as globally renowned as the name suggests, this has long been one of Williams' favorite neighborhood watering holes, providing a place for folks to congregate for a few games of shuffleboard. On some weekends and holidays, you can enjoy live music. Food service consists of sandwiches, burgers, a few appetizers and a few hot entrees. A full bar service is offered.

Each year millions of visitors to the Grand Canyon get their first spectacular, panoramic view of the natural wonder from the lookout at Mather Point. At an elevation of 7,120 feet, this viewpoint overlooks Pipe Creek Canyon and the Inner Gorge of the Colorado River. From this point sightseers can hike the South Rim Trail, which leads west to Yavapai Point. The Canyon View Information Plaza, open daily, is located at Mather Point. Restrooms, bookstore, pay phones and shuttle bus stops are close by.

At 7,406 feet, Grandview Point is one of the highest lookouts along the south rim, providing sightseers with a unique view looking down on the mountains. Due to its altitude, it receives more moisture, which in turn brings more vegetation than to other areas along the south rim. This is where Grandview Trail descends into the canyon to take hikers by the site of the old Grandview Hotel, one of the original tourist facilities in the late 1800s.

Though this is not by any means the only place in the area specializing in steaks and barbecue, the food is done well here—and well done, if you prefer. The staff is friendly and dining here feels like stepping into an old Gunsmoke episode. As you would expect, this spot is designed to resemble a Wild West saloon. Full bar service is available. On weekends, the live music will set your toes to tappin'. Steaks, prime rib and barbecue dinners are simple but satisfying.

The Grand Canyon in Arizona, is not the largest, nor the longest, nor the deepest canyon in the world. However, the gorge cut ages ago by the Colorado River earns its name not from its size, but from its spectacular beauty and awe-inspiring vistas. And, it’s still unimaginably large. In fact, the canyon is so big that one can usually find a peaceful spot to contemplate this behemoth of a landmark, even with five million visitors a year at Grand Canyon National Park.

The colorful layers of rocks exposed in the Grand Canyon are old, 2,000 million years by some estimates. The park itself seems infantile by those standards, although it is actually one of the oldest national parks in the country, designated as such in 1919, three years after the creation of the National Park Service. However, it was first afforded federal protection in 1893 as a Forest Reserve and later as a National Monument. The stream of visitors has been steady ever since, with most arriving at the South Rim, which is 30 miles and is accessible by park roads. For those wanting to forego air-conditioning, the Grand Canyon offers amazing hiking, from short loops on well-maintained trails to serious and lengthy treks through the wilderness.