Happy Birthday Grand Canyon National Park

Fact: Today's the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park.

Fact: The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and nearly 18 miles wide.

Fact: It is now 54 degrees at the National Park (nice!).

Fact: President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill that created the park.

Fact: Human beings have lived within the canyon for at least 12,000 years.

Fact: Once you visit the Grand Canyon, you'll never see nature the same way again.

Fact: You can learn about the complex history of canyon photography as well as see amazing contemporary images in our new exhibition Lasting Light: 125 Years of Grand Canyon Photography, now on view at the Phoenix Public Library.

". . . there's a primordial timelessness that the Grand Canyon represents," says one photographer. What do you think?

Comments

[Scott Griffin]

Bryce Canyon has to be my favorite national park. The tours offered from www.brycecanyonextreme.com made it one of the best experiences that I have had at this park. The Grand Canyon would be my second favorite national park.

[Ray]

I'll never forget my first sunset at the Grand Canyon and hiking down Bright Angel trail to the Colorado river. An amazing and wonderful experience, that I'll never forget.

[grand canyon park]

It’s a good question you ask; evidence of human occupation comes from many different sources. In this case, we’ve based on our facts on information provided to us by the National Park Service, and specifically from those who work in the canyon. Based on comments written in our guest book, even viewing the photos in this exhibit seems to take people beyond the experience of daily life.

[grand canyon helicopter tours]

Based on comments written in our guest book, even viewing the photos in this exhibit seems to take people beyond the experience of daily life. It’s a good question you ask; evidence of human occupation comes from many different sources. In this case, we’ve based on our facts on information provided to us by the National Park Service, and specifically from those who work in the canyon.

[Grand Canyon Tours]

For the most part, the terrain of this high plateau is gently rolling, with an occasional short, steep climb. The scenery is varied, ranging from tall stands of old growth ponderosas, to grassy canyon bottoms and alpine meadows dotted with aspens. At road's end there are the unmatched panoramas of the Grand Canyon. The ridge tops that lead there offer clear views as far away as Bryce and Zion National Parks in Utah. Throw in the fact that this area is almost totally undiscovered as a mountain biking haven and it all adds up to unmatched riding enjoyment.

[Ann Carper]

How's this for a primordially disturbing Grand Canyon comparison?

"Americans eat 3 pounds of peanut butter per person every year. That's about 700 million pounds, or enough to coat the floor of the Grand Canyon!"
(From the National Peanut Board's website--www.peanutbutterlovers.com--regarding March as National Peanut Month.)

[Heather Shelton]

It’s a good question you ask; evidence of human occupation comes from many different sources. In this case, we’ve based on our facts on information provided to us by the National Park Service, and specifically from those who work in the canyon. Have you ever been there? If so, tell us your story on our new wiki: http://www.grandcanyonvisits.wetpaint.com.

[justin hess]

Fact: Human beings have lived within the canyon for at least 12,000 years

That's amazing!What is that being based on I wonder?Fossil remains or carbon dating or...???

[Smithsonian Traveling Exhibits]

Agreed, Cindi! From my chair in Washington, DC, there's something so appealing and liberating about the canyon!

[Cindi Holt]

Yes. Visiting the Grand Canyon is a transcendent experience for many people.

Based on comments written in our guest book, even viewing the photos in this exhibit seems to take people beyond the experience of daily life.