Grand Canyon Geology

Geology of the Grand Canyon

The history that can be read through these layers is astounding but also complex given the age of the rock layers, which date over one billion years. Briefly, the uppermost layers of the Grand Canyon are Paleozoic rocks including the Kaibab formation, the Hermit formation, Supai group and Redwall limestone, all easily seen from canyon views. These tend to be the red rocks we think of when we think of canyonlands. This is also the layer in which fossils are found. The next Proterozoic layer is the Grand Canyon supergroup which is very difficult to see. Most of these sedimentary rocks with some igneous have been worn away. But the Chuar group and the Unkar group are viewable from the rim. The bottom and oldest Proterozoic layer are the Vishnu basement rocks a mix of Schists and granite. The canyon itself was uplifted and thus ripe for the continual wearing of the Colorado River.

For a geology map of the Grand Canyon see this USGS pdf and this accompanying key to the symbols.

This USGS website is a great resource. The Map below is courtesy of USGS.

Grand Canyon with kids?

For Kids?

1. Pack the book, Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park, Bob Teri, 2014 for reference about the Grand Canyon as you explore.
2. Become a Junior Ranger, ask at the visitor center for a Junior Ranger brochure and read Grand Canyon National Park Field Guide, Katie parker, 2019.
3. Ride the train from Williams to the Grand Canyon and back again. On the train you’ll get to experience a real train robbery. Bring along Great Grand Canyon Time Trail by Susan Lowell, 2011 and, if you can find it, Case of the Great Train Robbery, Rae Bains, 1982. And when the kids get restless, get out the Puzzlers Guide to the Great Canyon Kristy McGowan, 2002 and Grand Canyon Plants and Animals Coloring Book, Dot Barlowe, 2010.
4. Take a ride on a mule along the canyon rim and read Mule Train Mail, Craig Brown, 2009.
5. Walk the 2.8m Trail of Time where each marker represents a million years. It’s a good visual and physical way to learn about geology. Read Grand Canyon by Jason Chin, 2017 for an introduction to the canyon including the geology.
6. Visit the Tusayan Ruin to learn about human history in the Canyon. Read Life Among the Anasazi by Rachel Stuckey, 2016.

National park pass

Support the National Parks by purchasing a National park pass. If you are planning on visiting a few national parks over the course of the year, the pass may even save you money.

For example, the Grand Canyon, Arches and Rocky Mountain National Park entrance fees are $35 each. A pass is $80 and is good at all National Parks and Monuments. See a list of costs here.

Avoid the crowds at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

The best way to avoid the crowds at the South Rim is to go to the North Rim, but if that's not on your agenda, try some of these hints:

Tips for the crowds: busiest times are spring break, summer and over holiday weekends. 5.5 million people visit the park each year, 90% of them at the south rim. That’s over 15,000 a day, if they were evenly divided. But, obviously, they aren’t. Most of those people come from May-Sept. and at spring break.

1. The single most important tip is to go early!
2. Do the Hermit’s Rest shuttle early in the day. Or rent bikes and ride the Hermit Road. The Bike and Shuttle package by bikegrandcanyon is a great option.
3. Walk whenever possible.
4. Enter at the Desert View area if possible. The east side is less crowded overall.
5. If you are spending the night in the park, arrive after 4pm, park the car and walk or shuttle.
6. Come between Dec-Feb. but not at Christmas.
7. Picnic and avoid the lunch crowds in the restaurants. Or eat early.

The Hiking Project

This site has got to be one of the best curated hiking sites on the web. I love the detail they provide for trails. I've only used them for the southwest, but the website suggests trails are included from everywhere. Highly recommend.
https://www.outdoorproject.com/

North Rim Country Store

Grand Canyon North Rim is opening soon. This is a great place to stop along the way.
https://www.northrimcountrystore.com/

Today I'm working on the Kaibab Plateau section of the Colorado Plateau book. Amazing place. Off the beaten path with unparalleled beauty. Ideal for getting away from the crowds.