The most surprising element of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was the warm glow that filled the canyon, even in its darkest moments. When my best friend and I arrived at the North Rim it was after 8pm and very dark, yet through the trees I could still see the shape of the ridge, and how it was set aglow by the light of the stars and the moon. I averted my eyes as quickly as I could. I didn’t want to tamper with the moment when I would actually see the Grand Canyon.
The next morning we woke up and left our room when it was still dark. We walked to the edge of a viewing point in the parking lot, and despite the fact that the sun had yet to emerge from the edge of the horizon, we were still greeted by the depths of the canyon, and its welcoming warm glow. It was so many words that I don’t think I could ever fully describe how incredible that moment was.
After a few minutes of soaking in the glow we began to walk out to Bright Angel Point. When we arrived there was a small crowd admiring the awe of the oncoming sun. As the sun rose everyone stayed quiet, whispering anything that needed to be said. My friend and I alternated between attempting to take it all in, and attempting to capture it with our cameras. I don’t think anything we took could ever fully capture the experience, the thrill, and the beauty that all of us on that ledge experienced that morning.
In person the light from the sun also radiated throughout the canyon, but by properly exposing the sky the canyon is too dark to be visible through the lens. While some may be tempted to manipulate the image to show both, I like that this photograph doesn’t tell the whole story. Even with photo manipulation, a photograph could never tell the whole story of what it is like to stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon. It’s something that must be experienced first hand. This photograph stirs my memories, and brings me back to the moment we watched the sun rise over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. No sun rise will ever* compare.
*although we still have a LOT of National Parks to visit!
Sincerely,
Grand Canyon National Park
America’s Southwest is full of breathtaking canyons, but none as famous or as widely visited as the Grand Canyon. This world-famous landmark offers wondrous views, spectacular hiking, exhilarating whitewater rafting and countless adventures. One look across the enormous chasm confirms just why this inspirational place is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a must-see destination for so many travelers. The park also protects a wealth of biological diversity, including numerous endemic and threatened species and several rare ecosystems.
State(s): Arizona
Established: 1919
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