The Grand Canyon

 

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Karen and I have been to the Grand Canyon probably 15 times over the years. Usually it is a quick drive through on the way to some other location. This was our third trip in the winter trying to see it with snow. This time there was snow <yipee>. We were there over New Years Eve and not only was there snow but the temperature went down to minus 15 degrees. We arrived New Years eve and departed on January 2nd so we had the better part of 3 days there.

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The day we arrived a storm was just blowing out of the area and the visibility was the best we have ever seen at the canyon. Pollution is impairing the visibility here so if you are lucky to come when a big storm has just moved through you are treated to great visibility. As many times as we have been there we have not taken the mule rides down the canyon so I guess that is next. We have been to the west rim, the north rim and driven down to the canyon floor at Peach Springs on the 18 mile dirt road.

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January through March is the only time you can drive to Hermit's rest. Unfortunately the storm hit  2 days before we arrived and the high winds with it iced the road over and it was closed. The park service was in no hurry to open it either.

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