UNFAMILIAR SCENES IN NATIONAL PARKS 



355 



Photograph by George L. Beam THE SILENT CITY 



Like a deserted city of great buildings falling in decay is this view of Bryce Canyon, in Utah. The remarkable groupings look 

 like the shattered remains of a city which has undergone a terrific bombardment. 



scaled pinnacles and temples, its pervading atmosphere 

 of mystery, combine to make it the most difficult to grasp 

 and comprehend of all our scenic wonders. It will take 

 years of "development" before Grand Canyon becomes, 

 even to a slight degree, "familiar." 



In order to gain a partial appreciation of the grandeur 

 of this grandest of grand canyons, it is not enough to 

 arrive at the railway terminus early in the morning, 

 glance over the rim here and there, and then depart on 

 the evening train. That is the program which many vis- 

 itors adopt, and then they go away and say they have 

 ''seen the Grand Canyon." As well might one say that 

 he had "seen New York," having caught a glimpse of 

 its sky-scrapers from the steamer's deck while coming 

 up the Narrows and then immediately taken another 

 steamer going in the opposite direction A much better 

 program is the following: Spend several days on the 

 rim just as long as you can possibiy afford, drinking 

 in the vastness and wonder of the scene beneath you, 

 and then, having secured a suitable outfit, descend into 

 the Canyon by the Bright Angel Trail, continue on to 

 the river by the Corkscrew Trail, return to Indian 



Springs Garden and camp there over night. The next 

 day be sure and get up early enough to see the sunrise, 

 a sight you will never forget. After breakfast start 

 out on the Tonto Trail and follow this along the Plateau 

 to the westward, crossing and re-crossing numerous tri- 

 butary canyons, with occasional close-up views on the 

 right of the Granite Gorge and the mighty river roaring 

 in its dark abyss, while on the left tower the majestic 

 battlements and pinnacles and massive escarpments of 

 the main canyon wall. At nightfall you reach Hermit 

 Camp, tired out but tremendously elated over your trip. 

 The next day you ascend the Hermit Trail back to the 

 rim. Don't hurry needless advice ! you will find abund- 

 ant reason for not hurrying, but stop now and then and 

 and enjoy the glorious scene spread out before you and 

 ever-changing as you ascend, far-reaching in its extent, 

 marvelous in its coloring, overwhelming in its immensity. 

 When you get back to the hotel, after this experience, 

 you will be less inclined than ever to say that you have 

 "seen the Grand Canyon." 



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