Grand Canyon Five Years Ago

THE HUALAPAI RANCH AND THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE CANYON

I was already in Nevada so I figured it was a good chance to see the Grand Canyon. It has always been on my list of places to see on the planet. That's not surprising, as it features on many people's "bucket lists", along with other natural wonders like Lake Victoria and the Nile River. I opted to go with a tour that picked me up from my hotel in Las Vegas bright and early, and brought me back same day. I hadn't planned it well enough, otherwise I would have stayed locally in Arizona, but hey. As such, I picked the closer end of the canyon, the western edge, in order to be able to pull off the same-day tour.

The journey there was quite a sight itself. The United States is a very large country. It took many hours to get from Vegas to the Canyons, driving through the arid deserts of both states. We saw a few Native American reservations along the way. I was fascinated by the desert shrub that grows in the area as far as the eyes could see. The name escapes me right now. We also saw the Hoover Dam, a marvel of engineering and human endeavour, which we were given about an hour to see.

The western edge of the Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona, and is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. As such, the tour was very busy. Don't let these photos fool you. I'm very skilled at avoiding people when taking photos and creating the illusion of emptiness. I've had a lot of practice living in London and doing street photography :) It is situated on the Hualapai Indian Reservation and is home to several attractions, including Hualapai Ranch, Grand Canyon Skywalk, and Grand Canyon West Airport. I did the Skywalk, but not the air tour. Like mentioned before, I didn't plan enough time.

One of the defining features of the western edge of the Grand Canyon is its remote and rugged terrain. The area is characterised by deep canyons, steep cliffs, and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors to the area can explore the canyon by foot, horseback, or vehicle. I was mostly on foot - which is probably the best way if you can. It puts you in touch with the earth and the sheer magnificence of the place. If you find the right view, you may be forgiven for thinking you were off this planet.

I was so impressed by how the Hualapai Tribe has worked to develop tourism infrastructure in the area, making it more accessible to visitors while still maintaining the area's natural beauty and cultural significance. I feel as though they created a kind of balance, preventing the place from disintegrating into a tourist trap with litter scattered everywhere. In addition to the attractions mentioned above, visitors can also enjoy hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing in the area. I also heard that parts of the canyon do boat rides in the river down below. Now that's an experience I'd love to have if I ever returned to the canyon.

Hualapai Ranch is a guest ranch located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in northern Arizona. It is situated right next to the western edge of the Grand Canyon, which is why that area falls into part of the Hualapai's land. The ranch itself provides guests with an authentic cowboy experience, featuring rustic accommodations and western-themed activities such as horseback riding, wagon rides, and campfire storytelling. It's a western movie scene come to life (for us non-Americans).

I had lunch there and, in true American style, the food was way more than any average human could consume. Huge slabs and chunks of everything. The meat, unlike most parts of the country, was outstanding! I suppose that part of the country knows a thing or two about beef. The drinks were humongous and bottomless - as in, infinitely refillable. Visiting from Europe, where things are more rationed, it all just felt a bit overwhelming.

The ranch is owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe, as the name suggests, and it is one of several tourism offerings in the area. After that I did the Skywalk which involved walking on a shoe-horn shaped bridge over the edge of a cliff. It gave me a good idea of exactly how far down the canyons go, and makes one feel very small indeed.

If you can, it's one of those places everyone should go to feel how truly small we are in the grand scheme of things. It's also a place to witness the power of the natural elements - earth, wind, water and fire - especially water since the canyons were caused by erosion. And, of course, if you can find a quiet spot, it's a place for silent reflection and appreciation of the beauty of our planet that we might otherwise take for granted.