Grand Canyon - End of Grand South Rim

Grand Canyon 064, originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

This is a picture I shot at the extreme end of South Rim. The difference in scenery and landscape is stark. While Grand Canyon is rugged, craggy and relatively bare of greenery, the exterior is green and relatively plane. Towards the end of the canyon the greenery starts increasing and leads the way towards thick pine forests.

Watch Tower in Grand Canyon, Az and Carrollton, Tx

Grand Canyon 069, originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

Yesterday I blogged about this unique recent structure built in Historic site of Grand Canyon. Well when I came to Dallas area first I saw a similar structure outside a ranch at the border of Carrollton and Plano cities. But the tower in Texas is not as large or as tall and has a water fall in its center. I wonder why the owner of the property built the tower, but this provides a hint of beauty to the site.

Tower in Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon 060, originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

This is another "Historical Monument" sited on the far end of South Rim of Grand Canyon. Once again in my visit to Grand Canyon I was fooled into believing that this was an ancient "Native American" monument.

The truth is that this is a very very recent "Watch Tower" built in 1930. The tower is about 30-35 ft tall and has three floors (4 in American terms) and each floor is dedicated to the memory of a one of the several massacred "Native American" Tribes.

The first floor (ground) has a Hopi Room, with a Kiva Roof and the second and third floors (1st and 2nd) are an amalgamation of various replicas from numerous Native American ruins found across Arizona. The fourth floor (third) is the highest point along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and provides an awesome view of the Colorado River flowing deep inside the canyon.

Fantastic Replica at Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon 051, originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

I have been posting pictures and small pieces of information about Grand Canyon in Arizona. While the other two pictures were of very important places along the south rim of the canyon, this is not so. In fact this building built using local material, to replicate a "Native American" dwelling is a souvenir shop.
When I first noticed the building I thought "Wow" I must get inside and see what it is like to be inside a Native American dwelling. But when I came closer and saw the board which said that this was built using local material in a site where an ancient building existed several hundred years ago. But today this recreated building can confuse first time visitors into entering and buying one of their "Made in China" souvenirs.

Way to Descend into the Canyon

Grand Canyon 045, originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

We didn't have any time to hike, trek or camp when we visited the Grand Canyon. But nevertheless I took the opportunity to walk along the South Rim of the canyon and shoot some pictures of the wonderful place in the hope of returning someday in the future to enjoy all the possible outdoor activities this place has to offer.
I shot this picture from the far end of the South Rim where the trail descends to the bottom of the canyon. The undulating path spirals down into the depths and can be seen quite clearly even from a mile away. The route from top to bottom is a few miles long and mostly through loose soil initially.

Amazing Geological Formations

Grand Canyon 024, originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

I had earlier blogged about Grand Canyon and how keen I was to visit this natural wonder sited in Arizona, US. When I visited the Grand Canyon 18 months ago I discovered that this place has become so developed and commercialized that there is nothing left to explore. Thousands of hikers, climbers, river runners and adventurers have been there and done that.
Apart from that, numerous young and old folk have carelessly challenged the canyon and paid the ultimate price. All along the Canyon there were signs which warned people from going too much to the edge as the earth underneath would give way and they would plummet thousands of feet into the depths of the canyon.
The picture above depicts one such place which is very dangerous and has claimed many a careless individuals life.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grand Canyon 019, originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

During my adolescence and youth I was a big fan of western movies, books and travelogues. The geographical landmark that had enthralled and intrigued me the most during those years was the Grand Canyon. Being a born day-dreamer many a time while reading books or watching television programs on Grand canyon, I would go into a reverie. In my mind I would be walking around the area, exploring the nooks and corners of the canyon; river rafting down the rapids of the Colorado river, camping beside the frothing waters, visiting "Native American" Reservations; and interacting with the wild tribes who were mistaken to be us (Indians from India) and continue to be named after us.
In 2007 when I landed in the US with my then fiance and now wife, we drove from California to Texas visiting several interesting landmarks enroute. The biggest and most spectacular of course was the Grand Canyon.
Read more in further posts.