When I first laid eyes on the Grand Canyon, tears crept into my eyes and threatened to spill over. Not only because I was fulfilling a dream, but because a sense of awe and appreciation for the beauty of the world washed over me in a tumultuous wave and overtook my emotions. I was in literal awe at my surroundings, and the sight of the deep canyons took my breath away. The pictures that I saw didn’t do the canyons justice, and though I worked hard to make sure my photos would help engrave the memories in my brain, I knew that I wouldn’t need a picture to remember the sights that I saw that week. The deep, wide canyons are forever etched in my memory bank.
We embarked on a six-mile journey through the desert, admiring the sparse vegetation, dusty sand, steep hills dotted with rocks and greenery, rocky formations, and of course the canyons, along the way. The South Kaibab Trail was our mission for the day. Both the trail and stunning views were incredible, and though we were struck with a sudden limited supply of water and the weather was blistering on the way back up the trail, the conditions were overall very ideal. March is a great time to visit Arizona because of the mid-range temperatures. Not too hot, not too cold. We did see a bit of snow on the tops of the mountains, however; we even drove through a snowstorm in Flagstaff! As soon as we delved deep enough into the canyons, the temperature was around 70 degrees.
There were a couple of checkpoints that allowed us to track our progress through the trail: Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge. Ooh Aah Point lived up to its name; it proved to be a perfect spot for a photo. Cedar Ridge was a flat area that was utilized for both resting and admiring the canyon views. Hiking on, we set our sights for Skeleton Point, which would mark the finish line of our journey.
Reaching Skeleton Point was definitely a milestone for us; instead of a flag and cheering fans at a typical finish line, we were graced with 360 views of the Grand Canyon, which was so much more rewarding. The canyons dipped and rose as far as our vision allowed, in every direction. Behind us, the enormous mountain that we just climbed stood in daunting stature. No matter which direction my eyes landed, there was a jaw-dropping, heart-stopping view. Though the hike to this point was only three miles, we did so in the heat and with limited amounts of water. Through all of our research, we never expected to need as much water as we found ourselves craving. Even in March, heat exhaustion is very real in Arizona. But it was all worth it because after we snapped some photos and allowed the views to absorb our every pore one last time, we pushed our way back to the top, determined. Though this trail was extremely strenuous (especially on the way back up), I would highly recommend it. The reward is bigger than imaginable. Expect 3-4 hours to complete (longer if the temperatures aren’t ideal).
If you are visiting the Grand Canyon, you have to stay for sunset! Arriving about an hour before sunset, we picked a spot to claim as ours for the “show.” The spot we selected was a rocky area along the edge of the canyons with a wide view of the formations below. As the evening wore on, the canyons slowly descended in shadows, a soft glow tinting their tips. The colors changed by the minute, muted tones deepening as time crept on. We watched the sun slowly descend into the canyons as yellow, blue, purple and orange hues were painted across the sky in delicate brushstrokes.
Whether or not travel is your passion, the Grand Canyon is a must-see that should appear on your bucket list. I’d 100% recommend this adventure because not only is it something you will remember forever, but it is one of the nation’s most spectacular natural wonders. But if you are a hiker, take full advantage of the park’s spectacular trails. Exercise caution though; trails are strenuous and don’t contain guardrails. It’s always important to heavily research the trails that you will be hiking and to carry the correct amount of water. If you are hiking in the summer months, take extreme caution. We were exhausted from the heat in MARCH, so I can’t imagine how hot the canyons would feel in July and August. Most importantly, have fun, soak in some Arizona sunshine, and admire the views so intricately placed on our planet.
Happy hiking!
Wonder. Wander. Repeat. 