Canyon Clouds

The Grand Canyon is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This photo was taken at Mather Point, after a rainstorm, when the... more

by Alan Socolik

Title

Canyon Clouds

Artist

Alan Socolik

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The Grand Canyon is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This photo was taken at Mather Point, after a rainstorm, when the low-hanging clouds and afternoon sun created this dramatic scene. I have been there several times, but never again did I see such incredible scenery. Although this is a photograph, I have been told that this artwork looks like a watercolor painting!
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The Grand Canyon, and its extensive system of tributary canyons, is valued for its combination of size, depth, and exposed layers of colorful rocks dating back to Precambrian times. The canyon itself was created by the incision of the Colorado River and its tributaries after the Colorado Plateau was uplifted, causing the Colorado River system to develop along its present path.
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The primary public areas of the park are the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon itself. The rest of the park is extremely rugged and remote, although many places are accessible by pack trail and backcountry roads. Only the Navajo Bridge near Page connects the rims by road in Arizona; this journey can take around five hours by car. Otherwise, the two rims of the Canyon are connected via Boulder City, Nevada, and the Hoover Dam.
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The South Rim is more accessible than the North Rim; most visitors to the park come to the South Rim, arriving on Arizona State Route 64. The highway enters the park through the South Entrance, near Tusayan, Arizona, and heads eastward, leaving the park through the East Entrance. Interstate 40 provides access to the area from the south. From the north, U.S. Route 89 connects Utah, Colorado, and the North Rim to the South Rim. Overall, some thirty miles of the South Rim are accessible by road.
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A variety of activities at the South Rim cater to park visitors. The South Rim Drive (35 miles (56 km)) is a driving tour split into two segments. The western drive to Hermit's Point is 8 miles (13 km) with several overlooks along the way, including Mohave Point, Hopi Point, and the Powell Memorial. From March to December, access to Hermit's Rest is restricted to the free shuttle provided by the Park Service. The eastern portion to Desert View is 25 miles (40 km), and is open to private vehicles year round.
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Walking tours include the Rim Trail, which runs west from the Pipe Creek viewpoint for about 8 miles (13 km) of paved road, followed by 7 miles (11 km) unpaved to Hermit's Rest. Hikes can begin almost anywhere along this trail, and a shuttle can return hikers to their point of origin. Mather Point, the first view most people reach when entering from the South Entrance, is a popular place to begin.
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Private canyon flyovers are provided by helicopters and small airplanes out of Las Vegas, Phoenix, and the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. Due to a crash in the 1990s, scenic flights are no longer allowed to fly within 1,500 feet (460 m) of the rim within the Grand Canyon National Park. Several companies offer flights that land 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in the Grand Canyon in Hualapai Indian territory.
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Much of the text above was copied/paraphrased from wikipedia.org
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FEATURED PHOTO, Fine Art America Scenic Photography Group, 12/1/2012
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FEATURED PHOTO, FAA Nature From Around the World Group, 1/4/2013
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FIRST PLACE - Fine Art America Grand Canyon Contest, 8/19/2014

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FEATURED PHOTO, FAA All Natural Beauty Of This WorldGroup, 2/4/2017

Uploaded

October 28th, 2012