Garand Canyon National Park is one of the oldest parks in the National Park System. It firstreceived Federal protection in 1893 as a Forest Reserve. The canyon and its surroundings becamea national monument on January 11, 1908, and was designated a national park on February 26,1919, three years after the creation of the National Park Service. The park covers 1,902 squaremiles in northwest Arizona. The park is divided into two major areas, the more visited South Rimand the North Rim. Parts of the canyon lie within tribal reservations and there are outlying moreremote areas.
The canyon stretches 277 river miles across northwest Arizona, effectively isolating a corner ofthe state from the rest. The canyon is up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. The South Rim of thecanyon averages 7000 feet above sea level while the north rim is about 1,000 feet higher. Fivethousand feet below the south rim, the Colorado River winds its why, often hidden from the rimabove by the steep walls. It is a two-day hike to the bottom and back (south rim, longer from thenorth) and takes almost a day to drive from one rim to the other. Lees Ferry is the officialbeginning of Grand Canyon and is a 2.5 hour drive (one way) from the South Rim. This is near theonly river crossing between Hite north of Lake Powell and Hoover Dam west of Grand Canyon. Atthe west end of the canyon, is Grand Canyon Skywalk on Hualapai Nation land. TheToroweap/Tuweep Area is remote and not highly visited on the north rim at the west end.
Several historic lodges are built a few steps from the South Rim. El Tovar is one of the oldest ofthe great national park lodges and Bright Angel Lodge offers simple accommodations. From here,a short shuttle ride takes you to great sunsets at Hopi Point and sunrises at Powell Point. The road
heading east allows many scenic turnoffs or hike the trail west.
A popular way to reach the South Rim is the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams. The El Tovarlodge was built by the Santa Fe railroad and the Grand Canyon Railway now runs on the formerSanta Fe tracks.
In recent years, Grand Canyon Skywalk on the Hualapai reservation has become a popular day tripfrom Las Vegas (across Hoover Dam) as visitors walk a glass-bottomed cantilever structure thatspans 70 feet in a "U-shape out over the Grand Canyon's rim allowing views of the river 4000 feet
below. Skywalk is on the south rim and also accessible from Kingman, Arizona and Interstate 40.
Toroweap/Tuweep (depending who you talk to)Area is a beautiful but remote corner of the GrandCanyon and not for the casual visitor. The name Toroweap was the name given by John WesleyPowell but now describes features such as the fault, formations, and the point. Tuweep was given
to the white settlement and later the park district. Before traveling to Toroweap/Tuweep, beprepared. The two and a half hour drive is over a road described as, "washboard dirt, tire ripping,primitive road." Your car should be in good working order and carry a spare tire, tools, full tank,water, and food. At 4550 feet, the point rarely gets snow, but the road may be impassible if wet. Call the ranger station before you travel to obtain road conditions: 928-638-7875. Hikinginformation and backcountry permits can be obtained at the station about 30 minutes before the rim,but it is better to obtain a permit before beginning your adventure. The 3000 foot sheer unfencedToroweap Point is said to cause unease in people without a fear of heights. Sights include LavaFalls, Vulcan's Anvil, Nampaweap Petroglyphs (3 miles along Mt. Trumbull Road). A sign atToroweap Overlook warns not to take the trail if over 80 degrees and bring a gallon of water perperson. The one and a half mile "trail" is rugged, changes elevation 2,540 feet, and can take up toten hours, mostly on the return. Numerous other sights reward the hardy traveler.
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