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How watching sunsets and waiting for condors in the Grand Canyon make the perfect vacation
When planning a Summer trip to the Grand Canyon what often comes to mind is trekking, rafting on the Colorado river, horseback riding, photographing and exploring the rims by car.
For me the main highlight would be watching the sunsets at least it is what I thought!
Credit photo Véronique Gray
6:30 p.m: I dropped my bags at my hotel at the South entrance and rushed to the canyon. Nothing could stop me from seeing my first sunset.
Unforgettable sunsets
Sunsets over the Grand Canyon are probably the most magical and scenic ones you will ever experience. Your soul will be touched like never before.
Mather Point is the easiest stop reachable from the South entrance and just perfect to watch sunsets. As I arrived people were sitting on the rocks waiting for the sunset while others were standing near the railing, trying to stay warm.
The first evening was quite overwhelming as it was my first time in the Grand Canyon and arriving for the sunset was even more moving. The sky was the bluest you could imagine.
Picture yourself looking at shadows over the rocks as the sun slowly goes down. Colours change by the minute going from pale hues to strong glows till it turns to soft pink tones. The most magnificent is when the canyon turns so reddish that you can see people’s joy on their faces and you hear them say, “Wow, this is incredible!”
Now, deep blue skies don’t always make the most perfect and beautiful sunsets. Experiencing a rainbow is for some a blessing. Storms and clouds also make sensational pictures for photographers.
Bild von Filio auf Pixabay
You could say I was blessed as on my last evening I experienced a stormy landscape followed by a rainbow.. Although there are many places you can go watch the sunsets I heard the best ones are at Hopi, Mather, Yaki, Pima and of course Skywalk and Eagle Points.
Grand Canyon’s birds
On my second day, I couldn’t wait for the evening´s sunset, but my interest slowly shifted when I overheard a conversation. One hour before sunset I was at the canyon´s village at the back of the Lookout studio, an old stone house made for tourists to view the canyon.
“The condors come here every night. My brother spotted them here during his trip last week,” said one man to another. He had a huge zoom attached to his camera, ready to shoot at any bird coming his way. His wife had a pair of binoculars around her neck. Both were equipped like pros.
Skywalk Photo by Hugo Soons on Unsplash
The word condor caught my attention. Indeed, at the park’s entrance I had been given a guide and I remembered seeing a picture of a large bird. Was there a featured article about the condors in it?
The sunset passed and there was still no sight of a condor. “The man probably didn’t know what he was talking about,” I thought to myself. Or was it just bad luck? I left hoping to catch a glimpse of them the next day.
At the end of the afternoon, I still had not spotted any condors. Where were they? I was starting to get really disappointed when suddenly, something came flying toward me. I screamed “A condor!” After trying to put desperately the zoom on my camera I started shooting, following the bird to the edge of the rim. I was getting worried that with the excitement, I would forget watching my steps and fall into the abyss.
Condor Photo by Manuel Cordero on Unsplash
Unfortunately for me, it wasn’t a condor but a turkey vulture, a brown-black bird of approximately 32 inches with a 6-foot wingspan! I felt really stupid.
I didn’t make the same mistake the following day when the only thing I spotted were very large common ravens. In the meantime, I had read the feature in the guide and surfed the internet.
How do you recognize a California condor from a turkey vulture?
If you go to the “Condor Talk” in the Grand Canyon village, you will learn that condors fly with their wings flat but turkey vultures don’t.
Endangered specie
Condors are extremely rare. If once during the mammoths’ age, California condors populated most of North America, today they are only seen in California, Arizona and in Mexico.
Since 1967, the bird is listed as an endangered specie. Its population was about 600 in 1890 but it was nearly extinct in 1982 with only 22 birds. Today, the number has climbed up to 301 birds in the wild with only 90 in California.
California condor – Jonathan Hornung (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service )
The condor population declined for various reasons. There are no large mammals available for food since the mammoths disappeared. The condors lost their habitat when more and more people migrated to the California coast. Hunters and rangers have been shooting at the birds. The condors also have been dying from lead poisoning and from power lines collisions and electrocutions. Lately, some have died from zinc poisoning after having eaten a piece of coin. Micro trash known as glass, bottle and plastic caps can also be harmful.
The US took drastic measures to save them and started a recovery program in the 1950´s. There has been breeding programs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Idaho and Oregon’s zoos and a release program. Some condors have been released on the Vermilion Cliffs in northern Arizona. It has been successful, as the birds know how to feed themselves and the population increased. Unfortunately condors continue to die, leaving scientists, biologists and zoologists with more problems to solve.
But what kind of birds are condors? They are intelligent birds. They can fly up to 4570 meters at a speed of 89km per hour and weigh between 7,5 to 11kg. They eat carcasses of large mammals. They are known to pair for life. Some say they could reach the age of 40 in the wild. Female and male look identical. Reproduction is slow as females only lay one egg every two years.
Would I have the chance to see one before I leave?
Spotting condors
Loosing patience and hope, on my last night I returned to the Lookout studio. The same couple was waiting for condors. Apparently, they had seen one flying in the morning. When the sun warms up their wings and the wind is there, the condors can start their daily departure. They fly great distances daily looking for food.
Rangers will tell you the best time to see California condors in the Grand Canyon. From March through October it is either very early in the morning or late in the afternoon. In the evening they perched themselves on rocks.
I decided to walk along the village’s trail going from the studio to a wide opened space, passed the El Tovar Hotel. It was quiet and perfect for taking pictures.
Photo by Jad Limcaco on Unsplash
Condors have a wingspan of about 2,90 metres. Believe me when a condor passes by you, you will know it!
It continued its way soaring toward the centre of the village. Would there be another one? I hurried and stopped at the Bright Angel Lodge, where people had gathered to watch the sunset. A group was looking down, but to what?
“Look, there is condor on the rock,” said a ranger. “They are all numbered. They roost here every night or on the cliffs over there.” He pointed to the Lookout studio, where another was resting peacefully.
Condor#26 perched on a rock
Close-up of #26
It was a great feeling to be standing just a couple feet away from a condor. I recently searched what happened to condor number 26. It is a female who successfully bred a chick in the wild three years previous to my visit.
On my last evening, I had finally seen California condors and observed the flight of one of the world’s rarest birds.
My vacation in the Grand Canyon had been even more exciting and memorable than I would have ever imagined.
Credit Public Domain Pictures on Pixabay
People go to the South Rim from April to November but it is more crowded in the summer during school break, weekends and on American public holidays such as Memorial Day, Labour Day and Thanksgiving. The summers are hot and stormy. The months of June and September are probably the best times to visit the park. The North Rim is only opened from mid-May to mid-October.
Where to stay in the Grand Canyon:
The Grand Hotel
Highway 64, P.O. Box 3319, Grand Canyon Call (928)-638-3333 Check out their website.
The hotel is convenient to the south entrance. It is a nice place with friendly staff. Check out their restaurant Canyon Star Restaurant.
Quality Inn and Suites
Highway 64. P.O. 520, Grand Canyon
Call 1-800 221-2222 or (928) 638-2673 Also Website:
The hotel is convenient to the park and to the airport. The rooms are clean with king or double beds. There is a hot tub and a pool.
Maswik Lodge
Grand Canyon village, Grand Canyon National Park
Call 303-297-2757 or check their website.
It is located in the pine forest not far from the rim. The lodges, rustic or modern, look like a motel. The rooms are large with two queen beds. There are a lounge and a cafeteria on the site.
El Tovar Hotel
West Rim Drive. South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park
Call (303)-297-2757.
This a 105 year old rustic hotel. Rooms are spacious and clean. It is one of the park’s favourite hotels, so book early to have a chance to get a room with a view. You will love the lobby with its exposed log beams.
Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins
South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park
Call (303)-297-2757, fax: (303)-297-3175 or check the web:
Charming and basic loges at the rim; some share a bath. There is also a restaurant on the site.
Reservation for all loges and hotels in the Grand Canyon is made through Xanterra Parks & Resorts: Central Reservations, 6312 South Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 600N,Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111. Tel: (928)-638-2631. Free outside of the US 303-297 2757 or in the US (888)-297-2757.
Xanterra Parks and Resorts Website
Don’t miss:
The park offers great interpretive Ranger programs like the “Condor Talk”. Check The Guide received at the entrance for times and places or go to their website.
Rangers tell you the best time of the year to see condors, where at and how to recognize a condor. Check this link.
The Guide also lists sunsets and sunrise’s hours as well as the park’s exhibits.
Visit the Kolb Studio in the Grand Canyon’s village at the beginning of the trail “Bright Angel”. It has a collection of paintings and photos. The art exhibits change all the time.
For more information about the Grand Canyon:
Tourist office, Canyon view Information Plaza
It is located at Mather Point. To receive information about the park in advance write to: Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. Call: (928)-638-7888 or visit the web.
Contact the Arizona State of Tourism, 1110 West Washington, Suite 155, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Also visit Arizona guide.
Featured photo Jennifer rogalla on unsplash
