I had a business meeting in Las Vegas in 2002 so decided to make a side trip to the Grand Canyon.  Marilyn and I flew to Phoenix where we rented a car.  After visiting relatives there, we drove to Sedona for a quick peek then on to Williams, AZ where we spent the night. The idea was to drive to the South Rim for a few hours then on to Vegas which was 4 or so hours away. My feelings were that it wouldn't take too long to see a big erosion ditch. We decided to take in the IMAX presentation at Tusayan which is just before the park entrance - I thought the show was worth it. Then on to Mather Point for our first view.  You will realize that all of the pictures that you may have seen of the Grand Canyon will not prepare you for the real thing.  It is amazing how such massive erosion can be so beautiful although I did have a strong urge to get a big shovel to try to fill it up - at least partially. As we took it all in, the colors were constantly changing as the sun moved across the sky with clouds casting moving shadows. As I viewed the panorama below, I knew for sure that this was a top tier national park.

Since the Colorado River is 5000+ feet below in the meandering canyon, it is tough to see it from many places at the South Rim - only little slivers of it show themselves at various lookout points.  Also, since there was no way I was leaving the park without at least a partial descent, I looked at the most popular trail - The Bright Angel Trail.  When I realized it was up to 12 miles round trip with a steep begining, we looked for an alternative - also Marilyn had done part of Bright Angel on a college trip so was not anxious to try it again.  We found an alternative in the South Kaibab Trail at Yaki Point where we descended for about 45 minutes to where we got some reasonable views then took 1.5 hours getting back. It is steep but not like Bright Angel or so I heard.  One should double the time to ascend on the return - if 1 hr down then 2 hrs back up.  For the first part of Bright Angel, it may be best to triple the time to get back or so I hear.  There are warnings by the park service that there are no easy trials into or out of the Grand Canyon.  In other words, you will not find any senior-friendly trails that descend into the canyon.  The Rim Trail is fine for us old folks.  Mule rides should also work if you have the time and inclination.  Anyone done that???

We picnicked near the Visitor Center.  When it came time to leave in early afternoon, we just couldn't.  So we walked part of the Rim Trail then took the park shuttle to Hopi Point to try to catch a beautiful sunset but clouds spoiled part of it.   It was still impressive.  I had a very strong desire to stay overnight to try to catch a great sunrise.  But I had meetings to go to the next day so we left vowing to return someday.  I think we got to Vegas just after midnight but it was worth to stay longer at the canyon!

I hope someone who has spent more time at this park will post a nice article for us detailing what they did there.  Our trip was way too short and just a last minute side trip.  If a day is dedicated to a mule ride, then stay at least one more day to explore the Rim Trail and other places.   When we go back, we will spend at least two nights there - three is probably preferable.  We have not been to the North Rim but may soon be there since we are trying south Utah in June.