Grand Canyon National Park: An Ecosystem Etched in Eternity
Grand Canyon National Park provides one of the most unmistakable and unique natural geographical landscapes on earth. With a length of over 277 miles and a depth of more than a mile in many areas, the Grand Canyon is an impressive sight indeed that formed as the tenacious Colorado River slowly carved away sediment from vast plateau the over many years. Today, about 5 million visitors travel to the park to enjoy the spectacular panoramic vistas from the edge of the canyon, and many people say that it tops their list of dream style vacations with in the continental US.
The South Rim of Grand Canyon is by far the most visited area of the park. The North Rim offers guest services and accommodation too, however it is more desolate then it’s southern counterpart and not as easy to access. The South Rim and the famous Desert View Watchtower are open all year. The North Rim is open mid-May through mid-October. Driving around the canyon to each end takes about 5 hours. If you plan on hiking in and around the Grand Canyon, you will need to get a backcountry permit available from the park service. The hike traversing the canyon from south rim to north rim is approximately 21 miles long, and it is best to break the hike up into two days rather than trying to pack it all into one strenuous day hike. Not only will you not have time to enjoy the sights and attractions of the canyon if you rush through it in one day, but it can be stressful and dangerous to try and accomplish it all in one day, especially in the heat of summer.
The Sonoran Desert makes up a large part of the Grand Canyon area. The Sonoran Desert is an ecosystem of unique beauty and character. Here you will find beautiful scenes such as hanging gardens with beautiful flowering plants and trees, as well as many interesting desert creatures and landscapes. The Colorado River is a habitat for a lot of wildlife near the river including beavers and amphibians such as the canyon treefrog, red-spotted toad, and the rare Leopard frog. There are also squirrels, coyotes, and more than 45 types of reptiles in this region.
The Upper Sonoran Life Zone includes most of the inner canyon, reaching 7,000 feet up the canyon. Part of Grand Canyon National Park is considered Mojave Desert, which supports countless desert plants such as cacti, the desert lily, Mojave sage, and prairie clover. The higher Kaibab Plateau has conifer forests where many animals including bighorn sheep, mule deer, and elk live. Toward the top of the canyon, you’ll notice patches of pine forests. There are also many bird species inhabiting the park including the rare California Condor and the Bald Eagle.
You can choose to navigate and explore the park through many different services, with or without a guide. Get a birds-eye-view of the park by utilizing one of the air-tour guides in the area. Or choose to take a more leisurely ride through the park with one of the jeep tour outfitters in the area. The Colorado River rushes through the middle of the canyon, making whitewater rafting a very popular tourist activity and a great way for visitors to cool off. There are also float trips that take advantage of the river’s more amiable stretches allowing for a more leisurly trip. There are many great guides and outfitters within the area that will be happy to set you up with an unforgettable adventure custom catered to your wishes and desires. The National Park Service also offers ranger programs, exhibits, and other tours of the area seasonally.
To learn more about the Grand Canyon National Park, and the accommodations, activities and attractions that are available there, visit http://www.USParkLodging.com/grandcanyon and visit Dream Style Vacation Club to learn how to double your vacation time and create a better lifestyle!
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