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The Grand Canyon. Description. 277 miles in length Covers 1.2 million acres (larger than state of Rhode Island) Width varies from half a mile to 18 miles Highest elevation point: 9165 feet above sea level Maximum canyon depth from rim: 6000 ft.
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Description • 277 miles in length • Covers 1.2 million acres (larger than state of Rhode Island) • Width varies from half a mile to 18 miles • Highest elevation point: 9165 feet above sea level • Maximum canyon depth from rim: 6000 ft. • Hike from Canyon’s South Rim to the North Rim is 21 miles • Colorado River is at Canyon floor
History • Piute Indians believe Canyon was shaped by the god Tavwoats • First European visitor was Garcia Lopez de Cardenas in 1540 • First American to survey region was Lt. Joseph Christmas Ives • John Wesley Powell led first river expedition in 1869; sparked national interest in the Canyon. • Established as national park in 1919
Geology and Weather • Some rocks are 2 billion years old • Colorado River began to form Canyon about 6 million years ago • Major rocks are limestone, sandstone, and some igneous from extinct volcanoes • Semi-arid climate: avg. rainfall 14 in/yr; avg. snowfall 65 in/yr • Warmest month is July: avg. temperature is 69.5 degrees
Visitor Activities • Guided and self-guided tours • Picnicking, camping, backcountry hiking, horseback riding, and biking • White-water rafting, kayaking, and fishing • Bus tours, mule trips, and river tours
Lodging • South Rim: Red Feather Lodge, 602-638-2414, and Canyon Squire Motel, 602-638-2681 • North Rim: Kaibab Lodge, 602-638-2389; Jacob Lake Lodge, 602-643-7232; and Moqui Lodge, 602-638-2424
For Information • Write Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 • Phone 602-638-7888 for recorded info about weather, road conditions, and interpretive activities