The Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world, is in Arizona and among the earliest national parks in the United States.  As the term canyon suggests, it is a steep gorge created by the Colorado River that runs through the length of the canyon for nearly 450 kilometres.  It is 29 kilometres at its widest and nearly over 1.8 kilometres deep from the top of the canyon.


The origin of the canyon has geologists answering a lot of questions.  The Colorado and its tributaries have exposed the earth's geological past as they flow through the rocky layers.  It has been established that the river set its course million of years ago and the canyon has resulted from the constant erosion of its rocky layers. As we know, the Earth's surface consists roughly of about twenty plates that form the crust. With the constant shifting of the continents on these plates which float on a sea of molten rock, the shapes keep changing and moving direction. 


The North American plate containing the Grand Canyon was further south beyond its present location which must have enjoyed different weather patterns and climatic conditions. As it moved north, deposits of rock formed over the older layers and the height of the plateau grew, giving it the present shape and location we see today. Over the years, the river itself, ice, wind and sand have played major roles in the creation of the Canyon.

The Native Americans, who occupied the Canyon before the early European immigrants, considered it a holy site and made pilgrimages.  Legends and stories about their beliefs and ceremonies abound.
The Colorado valley is home to several species of plants, shrubs and trees that are unique to the area.  Rare and exquisite plants dot the riverside with overhanging gardens that grow from the walls of the canyons.  Side canyons reveal an array of plant and bird life with magnificent waterfalls and placid pools.
 

The Colorado is also home to a variety of frog communities and more than 30 species of crustaceans.  The Bald Eagle that is synonymous with the Colorado basin is a familiar sight here; it uses the gorge as a winter habitat.  A variety of bat species also make the gorge their home. Rodents and reptiles too are resident here; the Colorado boosts no less than six species of rattle snakes.  Antelope squirrels, pocket mice, coyotes, and skunks are spotted in plenty as are raccoons, weasels, bobcats and mountain lions while the river otters have become extinct and sighting a muskrat is extremely rare. Mule deer and big horn sheep do not reside along the river permanently but travel down to the river from rim when food and water become scarce.

White water river rafting and canoeing arranged by guided tour companies and expert guides are the attractions here, while hiking and trekking are also equally popular. Camping, hiking and trekking require permits and licenses that have to be applied well in advance. Automobiles that bring guests to the Canyon are also required to provide the number plates.  The recently installed glass walk along the ledge attracts a large number of people.

The Grand Canyon is not for the faint hearted; in addition to a spirit of the wild and adventurous, it requires a fit body and a 'go for it' attitude.