Page 532 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

530  THE SOUTHWEST

v Grand Canyon

One of the world’s great natural wonders, the Grand
Canyon is an instantly recognizable symbol of the
Southwest. Running through Grand Canyon National
Park (see pp532–3), it is 217 miles (349 km) long, about
4 to 18 miles (6 to 29 km) wide, and over 5,000 ft (1,500 m)
deep. It was formed over a period of six million years by
the Colorado River, whose fast-flowing waters sliced their
way through the Colorado Plateau, which includes the
gorge, most of northern Arizona, and the Four Corners
region. The plateau’s geological vagaries have defined
the river’s course, and exposed vast cliffs are ringed by
rocks of different color, variegated hues of limestone,
sandstone, and shale. By any standard, the canyon, with Mule Trip Convoy
A popular way of exploring the
its vast scale, is spectacular. But its special beauty is in canyon’s narrow trails, mule rides
the ever-shifting patterns of light and shadow and the must be booked in advance for
colors of the rock, bleached white at midday, but bathed the South Rim.
in red and ocher at sunset.

Havasu Canyon
Since 1300 Havasu Canyon has been
home to the Havasupai. A population
of around 500 Native Americans lives
on the Havasu pai Reservation, making
a living from the tourist trade.

Grandview Point
At 7,400 ft (2,250 m), this is one of
the highest places on the South
Rim, the canyon’s southern edge.
It is one of the stops along the
breathtaking Desert View Drive
(see p532). The point is thought
to be the spot from where the
Spaniards had their first glimpse
of the canyon in 1540.

Old Tucson Studios, Tucson, where many famous Westerns have been filmed

530-531_EW_USA.indd 530 11/2/16 2:47 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm