Wyoming Has A Grand Canyon And It’s Too Beautiful For Words
Arizona is not the only state with a Grand Canyon. Wyoming has one that ranks right up there with THE Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone’s beauty is so majestic that it’s hard to put into words.
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was first discovered in 1869 by Charles Cook. The canyon is in a former geyser basin and the canyon is thought to have been formed during the last glacial period. The melting of the glaciers caused flooding and erosion that led to the formation of the canyon. This view is looking down from over the Lower Falls, west side, and was taken in 1871 during the U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey).
As far as Yellowstone goes, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the most breathtaking and majestic sight in the park. The canyon is 20 miles long, 4,000 feet wide and 1,200 feet deep.
Notice the mineral stains on the canyon walls. These indicate the locations of the hot springs and steam vents in the wall. The hot water has altered the chemistry of the rocks over time. This process has turned the rock pink, yellow, red and white. The funny thing is these beautiful colors are actually where the rocks are rusting. The heat has caused chemical alterations in the iron compounds.
There is an amazing hiking trail through the canyon. Here is a picture of Uncle Tom's Trail from 1906. This trail runs from the top of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to the base of the Lower Falls. There are 328 steps on the way down.
The Upper Falls cascade down 109 feet.
This is a picture of the flow between the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls.
Here are two shots from on top of the Lower Falls. The Lower Falls plunge 308 feet into the canyon.
The Lower Falls are a magical place. You can almost always see a rainbow bursting out of the mist.
The canyon walls and waterfalls are the key elements of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The beauty brought on by these elements is indescribable. How would you describe this breathtaking sight?
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
