Day 14 Glenn Canyon Dam, Arizona- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Glenn Canyon Dam, Arizona

Everyone got up rather quickly the following morning because of prospects of what the next couple days would hold. We spent the first couple hours in a lecture with Hossay where we learned about all the impacts humans have had on the local plants and animals of the Grand Canyon area. Ever since humans have constructed the dams the landscape has been dramatically altered in the surrounding areas. Tassel eared squirrel, white owls, California condors and many native plants are impacted by these changes. Humans have also changed the natural floods and erosion of the canyon, further altering the landscape. Many people want to take down the dams, but then people will have to find a new source of power for the area. After the lecture concluded we all got up and drove right outside the camp where we spent the next couple hours showering, doing our laundry, and making lunch. Like always we were back on the road heading off to another location. About six hours later we finally arrived to see lake Powell and the Glenn Canyon Dam. With only a few moments spent to take in the sights we were back in the vans to take a look at horseshoe bend. We spent a couple hours eating and taking in the views, and it was then that we began to see how huge the Grand Canyon would really be. A short drive later and we were at the Grand Canyon. We did a small lookout point where some of us hiked down a little ways to see the massive size of the canyon. Even more excited about the hike we went to camp and enjoyed an evening of showers and dinner. Within the next 24 hours we would be settling down at the bottom of the canyon looking up at the night stars.

Horseshoe bend, Arizona

Finally at the Grand Canyon

Things to Note:

• Two things you must never pass up when you are camping, a chance to shower and a chance to do laundry.
• Easy meals like hot dogs or freeze dried food are a wise choice before and after big hikes.