What time does the canyon close?
The Grand Canyon never closes. At night the canyon once again belongs to the rightful heirs; to roam, explore and indulge in their wildlife ways. Skunks waddle around the cabins at Bright Angel Lodge, while ringtails navigate the rafters inside the lodge. Owls swish through the air diving for a mouse or two scampering along the trails. Deer rest in the grassy areas under the cover of the Ponderosa pines with their fawns nestled close to them dreaming, I suppose, of prancing and dancing in the cool morning air. Elk swagger through the woods with their antlers swaying side to side In late fall and winter, elk will shed their antlers and new antlers will grow next year….even larger!
Take the time to experience the canyon when she is most like herself. Quietly walk the rim trail and enjoy the dark sky under a blanket of stars. You are the visitor in another dimension of the canyon.
Find Joy
About the Author
Joy taught environmental sciences at Southern Vermont College and became active in outdoor land use. Joy now lives ‘off-the-grid’ near the Grand Canyon on an acreage with solar power, and hauls water for her own needs and for her struggling raised-bed desert garden, dogs, cat, chickens, and Garrett-the-goose. Joy has rafted the Colorado River from Moab to Lake Mead, hiked many of the trails, and stayed at Phantom Ranch several times either by hiking or by mule. Learning and reading is her passion, and she is constantly learning more about the Grand Canyon.
Joy is well traveled but never found a place that was more well suited for her than the Grand Canyon. This is her home. Stop in the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and allow her to share her home with you.
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