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. 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, , and Canyon Squire Motel, North Rim: Kaibab Lodge, ; Jacob Lake Lodge, ; and Moqui Lodge,

For Information Write Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ Phone for recorded info about weather, road conditions, and interpretive activities