GRAND CANYON Circular of General Information 1936

SOUTH RIM

It is suggested that visitors to the South Rim go to Yavapai Point for their first view of the Canyon, since at that place may be obtained one of the most extensive and striking panoramas to be witnessed anywhere along the Rim. From there may be seen, some 4,500 feet below, the rushing waters of the Colorado River as they flow swiftly westward into the reservoir of Boulder Dam and on to the Gulf of California. At that point also are exceptionally well exemplified the alternating cliffs and slopes that characterize the Canyon profile, and the towering temples and buttes. Between the Rim and the river lie the horizontal bands of buff, yellow, red, brown, and green that add so much to the beauty of the Canyon walls.

A Government observation station, to which no admission is charged, is located at Yavapai Point. There the story of the Grand Canyon is told by means of telescopes focused on features of interest and importance below, and by specimens, relief models, and diagrams. A ranger naturalist is in attendance at the station to assist visitors to a better understanding and appreciation of the Canyon.

Grand Canyon Village (South Rim)
(click on image for a PDF version)

HOW TO REACH THE SOUTH RIM

By Automobile.—A paved road, State Route 64, built by the National Park Service and maintained by the Arizona State Highway Department, leaves United States Highway No. 66, the main east and west highway through northern Arizona, at a point approximately 2 miles east of Williams. This road is paved the entire distance to park headquarters, 57.5 miles, and is open all year.

The Navahopi Road, which has been recently constructed, is 31.5 miles in length and paved for its entire distance. It was built by the National Park Service from Desert View, the east entrance to the park, to connect with United States Highway No. 89 at a point 1.5 miles south of Cameron, an Indian trading post on the Painted Desert. At Cameron, 55 miles from Flagstaff via United States Highways Nos. 66 and 89, there is a suspension bridge over the Little Colorado River on the road to Tuba City and the Navajo Bridge. Hotel accommodations are available at Cameron, and gasoline, oil, and general supplies may be secured there. The roads from Cameron to Grand Canyon and to Flagstaff are in good condition and open the entire year.

By Railroad.—The Grand Canyon National Park is directly reached by a branch line of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, extending 64 miles northward from Williams, Ariz. On certain trains through standard Pullman cars are operated to and from Grand Canyon Station. A Fred Harvey motor-stage service is also operated between Williams and Grand Canyon for the benefit of passengers on main-line trains which do not connect with the train to Grand Canyon. Consult current Santa Fe timetables for exact time of arrival and departure of trains, also for schedule of motor-stage service. The fare by motor-stage is exactly the same as the railroad fare, and those holding through tickets to Grand Canyon by rail may, upon application to the Santa Fe agent at Williams, exchange their railroad coupon for a bus ticket at no additional cost.

Baggage may be checked through to Grand Canyon Station, if required. Passengers making brief side trips to Grand Canyon may check baggage to Williams only, or through to destination.

Certain regulations for free storage of baggage for Grand Canyon passengers are in effect.

By Airplane.—Grand Canyon Airlines, Inc., maintains an airport approximately 18 miles from the South Rim and operates daily scenic flights from early spring to approximately December 1, weather permitting, over Grand Canyon and to various points of interest in the vicinity of the park, using modern cabin-passenger planes, both tri-motor and single-motor. The daily scenic flight over the Canyon from either rim, lasting about 45 minutes, covers approximately 90 miles. Hangar space and service for visiting planes are available. Chartered trips are available to Rainbow Bridge, Monument Valley, Betatakin, the Hopi Villages, Navajo Country, Boulder Dam, and various surrounding points of interest; also to nearby cities and Pacific coast. Transcontinental airline connections are made on regularly scheduled service to Winslow with TWA, Inc., or by arrangement to Phoenix, Ariz.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Fast transcontinental airplane service is furnished direct to Grand Canyon by TWA, Inc., through regularly scheduled connections at Winslow with Grand Canyon Airlines, Inc. This service offers excellent opportunity for those with limited time to visit the park. Daylight flights of the TWA transcontinental planes are routed over the Grand Canyon.

Yavapai Observation Station.

ROADS AND TRAILS

From Grand Canyon Village two excellent rim drives are available; one to the east, the Desert View Drive, and the other to the west, the Hermit Rim Drive.

It takes approximately 4 hours to make the 25-mile drive to Desert View, visiting all the points of interest and returning along the same route to Grand Canyon Village. The first stop along this drive is at Yavapai Point, where the observation station is located. The next stop is Yaki Point, near the head of the Kaibab Trail leading into the inner canyon and to the North Rim; then Grandview and Moran Points—both excellent views—follow in succession. A short spur road to the right, some 21 miles from the village, leads to the Wayside Museum of Archeology, which is open during the summer months. Here exhibits are found and a naturalist is on duty to tell the story of early man in the Southwest. A short distance behind the museum is an ancient Pueblo Indian ruin, a portion of which has been excavated to present a clearer picture of its original character. Three miles beyond is the spur road to Lipan Point, where exceptionally fine views of the Colorado River and of the San Francisco Peaks are to be had. At Desert View, the terminus of this drive, has been constructed an observation tower, where all are invited to rest and enjoy the many beautiful views, including an excellent vista to the east over the gorge of the Little Colorado River, the Painted Desert, the Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations, the Echo and Vermilion Cliffs, and in the far distance Navajo Mountain. To the north and, west a good view is had of the upper end of Grand Canyon itself.

The round-trip over the Hermit Rim Drive can be made from Grand Canyon Village in 1 or 2 hours. Along this route, which follows closely the canyon rim, parking areas have been developed for spectacular views at Powell, Hopi, Mohave, and Pima Points. At Hermit Rest, the terminus of this drive, a comfortable rest house has been built into the canyon walls.

Two good trails descend into the canyon from the South Rim, the Bright Angel, which starts near Kolbs' Studio west of the Bright Angel Lodge, and the Kaibab, which starts near Yaki Point, 3-1/2 miles east of Grand Canyon Village.

A panorama of the Canyon from Desert View.

While these trails are for both hikers and mule parties, it is an unfortunate mistake for persons not in the soundest physical condition and accustomed to unusual exertion at high altitudes to attempt the trips on foot. Both trails are more than 7 miles in length from the South Rim to the Colorado River, and a climb of approximately 4,600 feet must be made on the return usually in the heat of the afternoon, resulting in rapid fatigue. During the summer especially hikers, overconfident of their endurance, find the trip up too arduous and frequently have to be assisted by guides and mules sent down for them from the rim by the park operator. Hikers should make inquiry at the park office before attempting the canyon trips on foot and in any event should supply themselves with food and water.

The Kaibab Trail, the only cross-canyon trail, extends from near Yaki Point on the South Rim to near Bright Angel Point on the North Rim, a distance of 20.6 miles. During the winter it is open on the north side only as far as Roaring Springs, the remaining section to the North Rim being blocked by snow.

The Kaibab Trail crosses the Colorado River by means of the Kaibab Suspension Bridge. This is a thoroughly modern structure, built by the National Park Service, and completed in the summer of 1928. The bridge is 440 feet long, supported from eight 1-1/2-inch steel cables, provided with a structural steel truss acting both as a stiffening member and as guard rails. It is further stiffened by two 1-1/2-inch wind cables, and, unlike the old "swinging bridge" which it replaces, the new bridge is free from sway or vibration even when loaded to capacity with a full string of saddle or pack animals. The south approach to the new bridge is through a tunnel 105 feet long, cut from the solid granite walls of which the inner gorge is formed.

Arrangements for the trips by muleback down either of these trails may be made at the hotel, lodge, or South Rim campground.

A recently completed trail starting at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon climbs the wall of the inner gorge to the Tonto Platform and extends eastward to Clear Creek, affording excellent canyon views and making accessible the canyon of Clear Creek. Here, as well as in Bright Angel Creek, trout fishing may be enjoyed. Interesting Indian ruins are to be found in Clear Creek. Overnight camping trips by pack mule from Phantom Ranch to Clear Creek, via this new trail, afford the park visitor a pleasant and unusual outing.

The River Trail, which has also been recently completed, extends from the south end of the Kaibab Suspension Bridge along the precipitous inner gorge of the Colorado River to the foot of the Bright Angel Trail. This route, carved in the sheer walls of the inner gorge, opens up intimate and spectacular views of the Colorado River and affords a shorter connection between the Kaibab and the Bright Angel Trails.

Suspension bridge over the Colorado.

SEASONS

The high elevation of the South Rim, 7,000 feet above sea level, gives to this section a most comfortable climate. Spring is usually cool but pleasant. Summer, which extends from June through September, is characterized by warm days but cool evenings. Fall is a dry season marked by lower temperatures and changing colors of the oak leaves. Winter, with snow and frequent storms of short duration, extends from December to April. Seldom during any of these seasons do the elements interfere with scheduled trips. All roads are kept open throughout the year and train services continue on a daily schedule. The general season of the year makes no particular change in the views of Grand Canyon, with the exceptions caused by winter snows which cap the rims and extend down the canyon walls for several hundred feet.

Visitors feel the necessity for a sweater or coat in the evenings and mornings throughout the several seasons. Warmer clothing is required in winter. For afternoon and evening, sport wear is generally worn. Men usually prefer business suits and women informal attire.

If much hiking is done, stout, thick-soled shoes should be provided. Women will find that short walking skirts, knickers, or riding breeches are a convenience; riding breeches are preferable, but not essential, for traveling the bridle paths or making the inner canyon saddle trips.

Riding breeches, overalls, and straw hats may be rented at the hotel or lodge.

FREE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

The National Park Service offers free information service at the Park Administration Building located at Grand Canyon Village on the main South Entrance Road. Similar service may be obtained at the various checking stations. In addition, the National Park Service maintains free guide and lecture service.

Naturalist talks are given each evening at the Bright Angel Lodge covering general features of the Grand Canyon region. These talks are illustrated by motion pictures or lantern slides.

A camp-fire program is conducted each evening during the summer season at the camp-fire site in the public camp ground. It consists of illustrated talks on various phases of natural history and geology of the Grand Canyon region, together with such entertainment as may be furnished by the campers under the guidance of a ranger attendant.

During the summer season auto caravans are conducted daily by ranger naturalists along the Desert View Drive, with visitors driving their own cars. The parties go 25 miles east, visiting points of interest en route. At each stop the principal features are pointed out and explained. The caravan disbands at Desert View. The time required for this trip is about three and one half hours.

It is suggested that park visitors consult the naturalist schedule posted at the Information Office.

The Hopi House opposite El Tovar Hotel.

ENTERTAINMENT, LECTURES, AND ALLIED SERVICE

HOPI HOUSE

Opposite El Tovar Hotel is a reproduction of the dwellings of Hopi Indians; nearby are several Navajo hogans.

In the Hopi House are installed collections of Indian handiwork. Canyon souvenirs, Navajo rugs and jewelry, basketry, and other examples of Indian handicraft may be purchased. Here each evening about 5:40 o'clock a group of Hopi Indians gives a series of dances. No admission is charged.

THE LOOKOUT

The Lookout is a quaint observatory and rest house, built on the edge of the rim near the head of Bright Angel Trail. It is equipped with a large binocular telescope for observing the most distant reaches of the Canyon. The reception room has spacious windows, a fireplace, Navajo rugs, and easy chairs. Canyon photos and post cards are for sale.

VERKAMP'S SOUVENIR SHOP

Verkamp's is on the rim of the Canyon, just east of the Hopi House. In this shop may be seen one of the largest paintings of the Grand Canyon, as well as other works by the late Louis Akin.

This store carries a complete line of Canyon souvenirs and Indian handicraft. It makes a specialty of Navajo rugs and silverware, Chimayo blankets and Indian baskets, and carries post cards, folders, and photographs of the Canyon. A powerful binocular telescope has been installed on a wall in front of this store for the free use of visitors.

HERMIT REST

At the western terminus of the Rim Road, 8 miles from Grand Canyon Village, there is a comfortable rest house built into the canyon wall. Designed simply as a shelter and lookout, Hermit Rest, with its rustic lounge, huge fireplace, and observation porch, has become an attraction in itself.

KOLB STUDIO AND CANYON LECTURE

At Kolb Brothers Studio, near the head of Bright Angel Trail, is given each morning at 11:30, in a spacious and well-ventilated auditorium, an interesting lecture, illustrated with motion pictures and slides. This lecture describes the boat trips through the canyons of the Green and Colorado Rivers made by Emery and Ellsworth Kolb. Two such trips were undertaken by these men, the first in 1911 and the second with the United States Geological Survey in 1923. Pictures of both trips are shown; admission, 40 cents. Afternoon and evening lectures also are given when there is sufficient demand for this service.

The motion picture and lecture referred to above illustrate the region traversed by Major Powell's exploration of the entire series of canyons on these rivers and should not be confused with the informational talks given each evening at the Bright Angel Lodge.

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

Every evening at 8 o'clock at the Bright Angel Lodge, a talk, illustrated with moving pictures and slides, is given on Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding country. No admission is charged and all visitors to the park are invited to attend. Following the talk a program is provided by a cowboy orchestra. This should not be confused with the illustrated lecture given daily by Kolb Brothers, covering their trips down the Colorado River.

El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Living at Grand Canyon National Park is pleasant and comfortable.

The hotel, lodges, cabins, and free public camp grounds all have a cheerful atmosphere. Horseback riding and hiking are popular, but there are no conventional sports such as golf. The Canyon absorbs all the attention. Stores, news stands, delicatessens, and automobile supply and repair shops take care of the average requirements of visitors.

Information concerning the rates for accommodations may be had upon application to the office of the superintendent.

El Tovar Hotel.—Situated on the rim of the Canyon, El Tovar is one of the famous resort hotels in the Southwest. It is a long, low structure of native boulders and pine logs, with more than 80 guest rooms, most of which have private baths. El Tovar is operated both on the American and European plan. Table d'hote and a la carte service are to be had in the dining room.

Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins.—Modern, comfortable, and attractive accommodations, at a wide price range, are provided at the new Bright Angel Lodge, situated on the Canyon's rim near the head of Bright Angel Trail. Attractive lounge and entertainment facilities, as well as various shops and services, are available in the main lodge; and a large coffee shop provides a la carte service at moderate prices.

In addition to the Bucky O'Neil 17-room lodge and Powell 25-room lodge, there are many comfortable and attractive cabins, offering considerable variety in the character and extent of their accommodations. In both lodges and cabins, a large number of rooms have private baths.

Auto-Camp Cabins.—In Grand Canyon Village there is a modern motor camp consisting of a camp lodge, with grocery, delicatessen, soda fountain, and other facilities, and a large number of furnished housekeeping cabins. Bedding and linen may be rented at the camp lodge if desired. Rates, which are reasonable, include fuel, water, and electric lights. Public bath, toilet, and laundry facilities are available.

Phantom Ranch.—Picturesquely located at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon, a vertical mile below the Rim, Phantom Ranch consists of a group of rustic cabins with a central lodge and dining room, providing every modern comfort for a brief or extended stay in the depths of the chasm. Near the central lodge are a recreation hall and swimming pool. Phantom Ranch is operated on the American plan. Reservations should be made at Bright Angel Lodge or El Tovar Hotel before leaving the Rim.

Bridal Veil Falls in Havasu Canyon.

PUBLIC CAMP GROUNDS

A camp ground is maintained by the National Park Service near Grand Canyon Village and adjacent to the auto cabins and stores. Motorists bringing their own equipment may make free use of these grounds which are equipped with cooking fireplaces, tables, benches, water, and sanitary facilities. Water is obtained with difficulty in this region and visitors are requested to conserve it as much as possible. Camping is restricted to established sites.

Camping on the South Rim is possible throughout the year except for a few months in winter. Facilities for picnicking are available at designated places.

BUS, SADDLE, AND AIRPLANE TRIPS

Bus Trips.—There are certain trips that every Grand Canyon visitor wants to make if he can possibly allow the time. The Grand Canyon Rim Drives to Hermit Rest to the west and Desert View to the east (nearly 70 miles along the rim of the Canyon) are especially popular. These may be taken singly or as a combination trip.

Another popular tour is to the well known, but little seen, Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations east of the park by way of the suspension bridge over the Little Colorado River and through the Painted Desert country. Glimpses of Indian life at Tuba City, where there are Navajos, and the Hopi Village of Moenkopi are interesting.

Saddle Trips.—There are very few days in the year when one cannot make the Bright Angel Trail trip on the back of a surefooted mule, a distance of 7.8 miles from the South Rim to the Colorado River. Another spectacular trail trip is the one to Phantom Ranch via the Kaibab Trail, crossing the suspension bridge over the Colorado River. A 3-day outing, spending two nights at Phantom Ranch and visiting Ribbon Falls, a crystal waterfall over a natural rock altar in a woodland amphitheater, and Roaring Springs, a series of beautiful cascades, is scheduled. In 2 days the visitor may cross the Grand Canyon from one rim to the other, spending the night at Phantom Ranch and lunching at Ribbon Falls. Still another pleasant 1-day horseback outing is to Dripping Springs. The route follows Hermit Rim Road and Hermit Basin to Dripping Springs, returning through the forest.

A trail party ready to start.

Pack Trips.—There are many opportunities for interesting pack trips into the Canyon and surrounding country for which special arrangements may be made. Experienced guides are in charge. On account of weather conditions, trail trips into the Canyon and the rim country are usually practical from April to October; from October to April they are confined to the inner canyon.

Another unusual scenic trip available to Grand Canyon visitors is that to Rainbow Bridge, a unique natural bridge whose symmetrical arch suggests a rainbow. Although its existence has been known for many years, only a very few white persons visited it in the past, because of the difficult journey involved. Now one can get within 15 miles by car and make the rest of the trip on horseback. Rainbow Bridge is a national monument under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.

Saddle Horses.—So many new bridle paths along the rim of the Grand Canyon and through the pine forests have been opened recently that horseback riding is a favorite pastime. Horses may be rented by the day or half day, with or without guides. Parties are not permitted to take trips by muleback into the Canyon without guides.

Emergency Trail Service.—Visitors who walk down the Canyon trails from either the North or the South Rims may have saddle mules sent to meet them. The charge for such service is necessarily greater than the regular scheduled muleback trips into the Canyon, since it involves special guide service.

Airplane Trips.—Tickets for the scenic flights over the Canyon may be secured at the hotels or lodges on either rim, where arrangements may also be made for special trips by air. Airplane service is under the management of the Grand Canyon Airlines, Inc.

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

Postal and Telegraph.—The post office is located directly opposite the Park Administration Building. The Western Union office is in the El Tovar Hotel.

Telephone.—There is telephone connection between the South Rim and the North Rim. Complete telephone service, both local and long distance, to all points is available through the commercial exchange of the Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co., located in the office of the park superintendent.

Medical.—The National Park Service maintains a modern hospital near the Administration Building. A competent, experienced physician and a well-qualified trained nurse are continuously on duty. The doctor's office is in the hospital, phone 14; residence, phone 35.

Automobile Supplies.—At Grand Canyon Village there is a garage under the management of Fred Harvey Co. Storage or repair service, as well as gasoline and oil, may be procured here. Gasoline is sold at prices prevailing on United States Highway No. 66.

Groceries and Supplies.—The Babbitt Brothers Trading Co. operates a general store at Grand Canyon carrying a full line of groceries, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, hardware, dry goods, outing apparel, and other traveler's necessities.

Photographs and Souvenirs.—Photographs, post cards, view books, etc., are on sale at newsstands in El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, Auto Camp Lodge, the Lookout, Kolbs', and Verkamp's. Blankets, baskets, pottery, jewelry, and other Indian handicraft may be purchased at the Hopi House, the Indian Shop in Bright Angel Lodge and Verkamp's. Books on the Southwest and Canyon souvenirs are also available. Grand Canyon paintings and prints are on display and for sale in the Art Room at El Tovar Hotel.

Kodak Finishing.—The services of a first-class photographer are available for developing and finishing kodak films and prints. Films left at the newsstands in El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge or Auto Camp Lodge before 12:30 p. m. will be developed promptly and finished prints will be ready for delivery at 6 p. m. Overnight finishing service is available during the summer season.

Barber Shop and Beauty Shop.—Conveniently located in the new Bright Angel Lodge are a barber shop and beauty shop with skilled operators and modern equipment. There is also a barber shop in El Tovar Hotel.