The Grand Canyon is one of the world's most spectacular natural formations. Located in Arizona, the canyon stretches 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep. The Colorado River, which runs along the canyon floor, has been carving through rock for approximately 5-6 million years. The exposed rock layers reveal nearly 2 billion years of Earth's geological history. Each year, approximately 6 million visitors come to witness this natural wonder. The South Rim remains open year-round, while the North Rim closes from mid-October through mid-May due to snow.
Day 3 of our rim-to-rim hike. Words cannot describe standing at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Looking up at the layers of red, orange, and purple rock stretching toward a thin strip of blue sky - I felt so small. Our guide explained that the dark rock at the very bottom, called Vishnu Schist, is almost 2 billion years old. We touched rock that existed before dinosaurs, before most life on Earth! The hike down was brutal - my legs ached with every step. But drinking from Bright Angel Creek and seeing the ancient Havasupai cliff dwellings made it worth every blister. Tomorrow we climb out. I'm already planning my next visit.