Hi there, I will have one full day (October) on the south rim of GC.

What is the best way to maximize the experience?

If you click on DESTINATIONS above, you'll see that Fodor's has good info about national parks, including a "Best in one Day" itinerary. I find their ideas very useful.

Oops!

I was so deep in forum discussions that I forgot abot the main purpose of this site!

Thanks elberko!

You're welcome, Barthox.

I just like to remind people occasionally about all the good stuff available on this site.

On the North Rim this summer, I took a short walking tour with a park Ranger that I found to be a good introduction. He gave basic explanations of geology, ecosystems, history in a short time. It was first thing in the morning, which freed up the rest of the day to explore as I wished. I'm sure they have similar things on the South Rim.

Whatever you do, plan on watching the sunrise. And get there early!

Check out

www.kaibab.org/gc/misc/gc_what.htm

Hike below the rim, as far as you have time. Going back up will take almost twice as long as going down, but even an hour's walk will give you a feeling of being IN. Dawn is the best, from the Kaibab trail especially.

I've hiked down into the GC to Indian Springs and I've hiked along the rim.

IMHO, I think I saw more of the canyon by staying on the rim than I did going down into the canyon.

Utahtea

Hi,
I�d like to second gigib - go hiking in the canyon! We ``only�� did some of the South Kaibab trail (to Cedar Ridge and back) and it is very different from everything we saw along the rim.
You experience your surroundings differently: the layers of stone, the few animals and the plants, just the colors changing and...
Our tour will take you probably about 4 hours, something like that. Which will leave enough time to drive along the rim, go see the visitor center etc.