These passer-through tourists account for approximately two-thirds of the park's 3.5 million annual visitors. Nonetheless, the recreational and scenic opportunities of this park are unreal. The Grand Tetons may not contain as many hiking trails, camp sites, lodges, or climbing expeditions as other national parks, but the views and experiences gained in the time spent in its chattels will be far better than many other parks can boast.
Grand Canyon National Park possesses beauty and history beyond comprehension. In 1869 and 1871, the first systematic explorations of the Grand Canyon were conducted by Major John Wesley Powell. However, the first official expedition was conducted in 1880. Clarence Dutton was the leader of this outfit, which was the first geological survey. As a result of the explorations made by Powell, Dutton, and many other men, approximately 2,700 archeological sites have been located in the depths of the Grand Canyon. When President Theodore Roosevelt visited the Canyon in 1903, he immediately began a move for its conservation. Finally being established as a national park in 1919, the Grand Canyon became one of the most visited national parks in the Country. The Canyon now receives nearly five million annual visitors. This colossal number helps demonstrate the attraction to the Canyon's magnificence.
Countless people are aware of the grand waterway known as the Colorado River. The Colorado River is the main waterway of the Grand Canyon. The beginning of the Colorado is in Wyoming, and out of its 1,700 mile total length, only 277 of those miles flow through the Grand Canyon. From beginning to end of those 277 miles, the River drops a total of 1,900 feet. The amount of daily sediment which runs through this 277 mile segment is, approximately, 40,000 tons.
Besides being the main waterway of the Canyon, the Colorado River is also a choice favorite among white-water rafters. There are parts of the River that would deliver a peaceful boat-ride, but the sections of white-water are some of the roughest waters that can be navigated in a raft; they score a ten on the one to ten white-water rafting, difficulty scale. Although areas of its waters are powerful and swift, not a single person could deny the beauty possessed by the Colorado River as it flows through the gorges and canyons of Grand Canyon National Park.
None would argue the awesome wonder of Grand Canyon National Park, but there are varying beliefs on its formation. The two main beliefs are those of Creationists and Evolutionists. Those who put their faith in evolution would fervently argue that the Grand Canyon is 1.7 billion years old. They would also say that the Canyon was formed from the constant erosion caused by the Colorado River. This supposed 1.7 billion years of erosion, resulted in the Grand Canyon as we know it today. Another hypothesis that would be stated by evolutionists is that the sediment layers of the Canyon walls are between 570 million to 1.7 billion years old. These arguments are nothing more than faith based. Due to their disbelief and distrust in God, evolutionists put their faith in their hypotheses.
There is also the standpoint of the Creationists: they belief that the Grand Canyon was formed in a matter of days. One who puts his faith in Creation would tell you that the Canyon is a result of a world-wide flood. This flood took place just a few thousand years ago. In the Bible, Genesis chapter seven explains how the waters covered the earth. If 277 miles of the Colorado River can daily move 40,000 tons of sediment, then it wouldn't be too big of a stretch to believe that a world-wide, mountain covering flood, could remove enough sediment from the surface of the earth to form the Grand Canyon. Also, there is a man by the name of Dr. Kent Hovind who believes that the formation of the sediment layers in the Canyon walls can be scientifically proven.
He explains how different sediments have different densities. If a cup of gravelly dirt were to be poured into a glass of water, the different sediments in the dirt, if given a few hours, would separate into various layers. The heavier sediments would be at the bottom; whereas the lighter sediments would be at the top. This would explain the sediment layers of the Grand Canyon.
However, the beliefs of Creationists and Evolutionists are both based on faith. Creation may appear have more proof than evolution, but neither belief can be stated as fact.
Despite the varying theories and beliefs, the Grand Canyon will always be a spectacle of beauty. This park is a sincere relic of the American West. Whatever your personal convictions may be, they do not detract from the splendor, majesty, and superb glory, of Grand Canyon National Park.
