We have visited the Grand Canyon quite often since our first visit in 1971. Actually, there was a gap of about 11 years from that first visit until the next time we camped and hiked within the Park, but since the mid-80s we have been to some part of the park on almost an annual basis. (We have visited one section of the Park or another in 1971, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2005.)

Even so, there are so many miles of trails within the Park that we have only scratched the surface. We became enamored with the Main Corridor and its popular, yet spectacular, trail across The Canyon. We have hiked down to Indian Gardens on several occasions and, at this point, have backpacked rim-to-rim on 13 occasions between the two of us. This includes our most recent hike, which was a one day hike across of 25 miles in 13 hours.

We have visited the Tuweep/Toroweap section of the Park only once, but intend to get back to that primitive area as soon as we can. That is wide open country and far from the crowds. Our second favorite area is the North Rim. It is higher and cooler in the summer months and is more difficult to reach than the heavy tourist areas on the South Rim. There are fewer facilities, but that's just fine. The north side fells more like what visiting the parks was like thirty or forty years ago.

Of course we all come for the view, and although the views are just as spectacular from the North Rim, they are different. The Village and many of the overlooks on the South Rim are at the bottom of the Colorado River's long southward bend. That provides an onlooker with great views of The Canyon up and down the river.

No matter where you go in The Canyon you'll have a great time and find plenty of trails to hike. There are campgrounds in each of the three main areas of the Park, and reservations are taken at the main campground on the North and South Rims.

Over the years I have kept notes on our various hikes across The Canyon. I am collecting them in a small travel book titled Crossing the Chasm. Once that work is complete I will include the contents here.