by Mike Graf
James walked with Angie over to the opening of the tunnel. “We have to wait for the rain to stop before going on anyway,” said James.
Angie looked back at the group. “I’m going to head out now to check on other hikers. Just take your time climbing up. With all the rain, the trail may be slippery in spots. Do you have flashlights?”
“We’ve got three,” Morgan answered.
“We’ve got one too,” Joanna replied.
“It’s sure great to know there are people like you out here checking up on us,” James said.
“I guess that’s all part of visiting the Grand Canyon,” Dad added.
13
James swung his backpack onto his back and walked out of Supai Tunnel. Dad high-fived James as he walked by.
Morgan, Dad, Steve, and Joanna followed James onto the trail. They continued their climb uphill.
Mom sat in the car at the North Kaibab Trail parking lot. It was 7:45 p.m. She flipped on her windshield wipers. A few drops of rain hit the car window. “The storm seems to be ending,” she thought.
Mom got out of the car. It was surprisingly cool. She grabbed a windbreaker and walked across the parking lot to the trailhead. She looked down the empty trail and waited a few minutes. “James! Morgan! Robert!” she called out. But there was no answer. Mom paced back and forth, stopping often to look down the trail. By the time she got back to the car, it was 8 p.m.
James, Morgan, Dad, Steve, and Joanna trudged up the trail. It was nearly dark, and Morgan led the way with her flashlight. The edge of the trail dropped off and plunged straight into the canyon.
“I wonder how far down you’d fall,” James said, peering over the edge.
“Let’s not find out,” Dad said. “Please stay away from the cliff.”
James moved back to the center of the trail.
Steve started singing.
Show me the way to go home
I’m tired and I want to go to bed
I got sick about an hour ago
And it went straight to my head
James laughed and they all joined in.
Show me the way to go home
I’m tired and I want to go to bed…
Mom got out of the car again. It was 8:30 p.m. and completely dark. She grabbed a flashlight and walked to the trailhead. Mom started walking down the North Kaibab Trail. The trail was thick with mud in spots. Mom watched her step to make sure she didn’t slip. Lightning flickered in the distance, but she heard no thunder.
Mom continued walking. After a while, she reached a large, flat rock next to the trail. Mom stepped out onto the rock and looked out over the canyon. It was pitch black.
“Where are they?” Mom wondered.
“Hello … down … there!” Mom called out.
“Hello … down … there!” the black canyon answered back.
“Hello!” Mom called out once more, and again the canyon echoed back.
Mom stood at the lookout for a moment longer. “Maybe I should go back up and tell the rangers three hikers are missing,” she thought.
A tiny flickering light appeared somewhere in the canyon. Mom waved her flashlight back and forth and turned it off and on. She saw the light again. Then it was gone.
Morgan and the others hiked on. All they heard were the sounds of their footsteps tromping up the trail.
“Wait a second!” Morgan said. She stopped the group. “I thought I saw a light.”
Everyone stood still for a moment and looked up the canyon.
“I guess not,” Morgan said.
They hiked on.
A while later, Morgan froze again. “Wait. Listen.”
They heard a voice yell, “Hello!” It echoed throughout the canyon.
“Hello!” Morgan called back.
“Hello!” the voice called again.
“That voice sounded familiar,” Dad said. “Come on!”
Morgan led the group quickly up several more switchbacks. She turned a bend in the trail. A light up ahead moved back and forth. Morgan walked briskly toward the light.
“Maybe it’s the light at the end of the tunnel!” James exclaimed.
They hiked faster up a flatter part of the trail.
When Morgan got closer to the light, she shielded her eyes and said, “Hello?”
James, Dad, Steve, and Joanna caught up.
“Who’s there?” Morgan said as she walked even closer.
“Who do you think?” the voice behind the light said.
“Mom!” Morgan called out. She dropped her flashlight and ran up and hugged her mother.
“Mom!” James called out.
“Honey!” Dad said. He walked over and kissed Mom.
“Sorry we’re late, Mom,” James said. “But I got sick and had to rest.”
“And then a storm came and we hid out in a tunnel,” Morgan added.
“A rescue ranger found us in the tunnel and checked on James,” Dad said.
“Steve and Joanna were with her,” Morgan added.
Joanna stepped forward. “James finished the hike all on his own.”
“We all did,” James corrected. “And now we’re finally at the top!”
“The top?” Mom responded. “Well, not exactly. I think we’re at Coconino Point. We’re still about three-fourths of a mile from the top. I came down the trail looking for you.”
“You mean we have more climbing to do?” Steve asked.
“Just a little,” Mom replied.
“Come on,” Dad said. “Hot showers, food, and soft mattress pads await above. Let’s go!”
They marched on.
“Follow the red, muddy trail,” Dad said in a high-pitched voice. “Follow the red, muddy trail,” he repeated in as low of a voice as he could.
“Follow the red, muddy trail,” Morgan said while holding her nose.
James laughed. “We’re not in Oz!”
“Follow the red, muddy trail,” Steve squeaked.
“Follow the red, muddy trail,” Joanna added.
They started singing as they pranced up the trail.
“Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the red, muddy trail!”
“Because, because, because, because, because! Because of the wonderful things it does!”
Almost Sunset
14
Morgan yawned and stretched.
She looked around the room at the Grand Canyon Lodge. Other visitors were also sitting on couches and chairs, resting, talking, reading, and looking out at the view.
Morgan got up from the couch and shuffled over to the window. “My legs are so sore,” she said to herself.
Morgan stared out at the Grand Canyon. Far across it, on the South Rim, she saw a trail leading down. “I can’t believe we crossed all that,” she thought.
Morgan looked at the sheer cliffs and colorful buttes throughout the canyon. The mesas on top of the canyon were bathed in sunlight. The lower canyon was darkened by shadows. In the hazy distance, several sharp mountain peaks rose high in the sky.
“I can see why this is the ‘canyon that all canyons are compared to,’” she said. “It is grand.”
Morgan looked out. There were large clouds towering high in the sky. “I wonder if we’re going to get another thunderstorm today,” she thought. “Well, if we do, it would sure be nicer to experience it from the lodge.”
Morgan turned around and saw her family. Dad was asleep with his head draped over an arm of the couch. James was also asleep, leaning against Mom. Mom was sketching. Morgan shuffled back to join them.
“You’re walking a little slowly,” Mom said. “Are you okay?”
“I can barely lift my legs,” Morgan answered.
WORLD’S MOST SCENIC PLACES
A World Heritage Site is considered one of the world’s most scenic or culturally significant places. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in order to be considered a World Heritage Site, a national park should be the following:<
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1. An outstanding example of the Earth’s evolutionary processes
2. An outstanding example of geologic processes, biological evolution, and human interaction with the natural environment
3. A place containing outstanding natural features, including formations, ecosystems, and beauty
4. A place containing significant habitats for threatened species of animals
In 1979, it was decided that the Grand Canyon met the above criteria and it was labeled a World Heritage Site. The Grand Canyon is one of twelve natural World Heritage Sites in the United States. Some of the others include Yosemite National Park in California, Florida’s Everglades, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee, Kentucky’s Mammoth Caves, New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns, Washington’s Olympic National Park, Montana’s Glacier National Park, and Yellowstone in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
“I can only imagine how tough that hike was,” Mom said. “How’s the view?”
“Awesome,” Morgan replied. “Especially now that I’ve crossed it and know what it looks like up close.”
“It sure makes you proud when you accomplish something like that, doesn’t it?” Mom asked.
I feel pretty good about it,” Morgan answered. “What are you drawing?”
“Just something I started the other day after my art class,” Mom explained. “I was drawing the whole canyon, but then I got interested in the little things. This picture is of a deer I saw at our campground one morning when you were gone.”
“Can I see?” Morgan asked.
Mom moved the sketch pad so Morgan couldn’t see it. “Maybe soon. By the way, do you remember seeing a house in the canyon?”
“Yes, we stopped and ate a snack there,” Morgan answered. “It was on our way up.”
“Well, the person who taught my class is an artist named Bruce Aiken. He used to live down there.”
“Really?” Morgan said. “It’s a small world, isn’t it?” Morgan looked back at the statue of Brighty.
Mom looked at Morgan. “You know, I read something about that statue. It said that if you touch Brighty’s nose, he’ll bring you good luck.”
“He will?” Morgan asked. She walked over to Brighty’s statue and rubbed her hand on his nose. “I remember bumping into the statue before our hike,” she thought. “And we did have good luck. We got back safely.”
A BURRO NAMED BRIGHTY
Miners introduced burros into the canyon to help carry supplies. But when the Grand Canyon was turned into a national park in 1919, most mining ended, and all burros were either set free or escaped.
Wild burros caused problems in the Grand Canyon. They ate native plants and polluted water holes. By 1981, the burros were either killed or removed from the park and taken to adoption centers.
Brighty, nicknamed “the Hermit of Bright Angel Creek,” was one of these burros. He lived at the Grand Canyon from around 1892 until 1922, and he regularly visited the North Rim each morning for pancakes. Brighty was friendly toward humans and was captured and put to work hauling water and supplies. Brighty was especially friendly to children. He gave boys and girls rides on his back. In 1953, Marguerite Henry wrote the famous children’s book Brighty of the Grand Canyon.
Morgan walked back over to her family. She pulled out her journal, glanced up once more at Brighty, and started writing.
Saturday, August 6
Dear Diary,
I’m sitting here looking at the statue of Brighty, and I’ve been reading the book about him too! I wish I could have been here to see the real Brighty. It would have been neat to have a companion like him while hiking to keep us company and help haul our supplies. Maybe I could have even gotten a ride from him!
It’s our last full day at the park and I’m hanging out at the Grand Canyon Lodge with my family. We are all resting after our rim-to-rim hike across the Grand Canyon. Dad said crossing the canyon was the most difficult thing he’s ever done in his life. I remember my feet feeling like they were on fire. And when we got done, I don’t think I’ve ever been so dirty in my whole life. But it was worth it. And I would do it again.
Anyway, James is waking up now. And even though we didn’t want to do anything today, there’s a talk outside on the patio that he and I want to go to.
Yours,
Morgan
James elbowed Dad. “It’s past two o’clock,” he whispered.
“Huh?” Dad mumbled. He sat up, opened his eyes, and looked at James. Then he looked at Morgan, who was standing beside him. “Boy, you two sure have recovered quickly!” Dad sat back. “But I don’t know if I have. Go ahead without me.”
“I’d like to go,” Mom said.
Mom, James, and Morgan walked outside and joined other visitors. When they got there, the ranger was already talking. “Condors had lived in Arizona for 50,000 years. But starting in the early 1900s, condors no longer had the right food supply. Also, some eggs were stolen, condors collided with power lines, some had lead poisoning, and others ate antifreeze from cars. By 1982, there were only twenty-two condors left in the wild, all in California.”
“How sad,” Morgan commented.
The ranger continued. “A few years later, the remaining wild condors were captured and bred in captivity. They were later released in central California and northern Arizona. Today, condors are a regular sight here at the canyon.”
“Do you think that’s the type of bird we saw?” Morgan asked James.
“Could be,” James said. “That’s what Dad was thinking.”
“If you saw one of those,” Mom said, “you were very lucky.”
The ranger went on. “Condors are scavengers. They finish off eating what other animals have started. And they can live up to sixty years! Condors are amazing to see because they’re so rare. Now I’ll need a couple of volunteers to help me.”
Several hands went up. The ranger pointed to James and Morgan. “How about you two?”
James and Morgan walked up to the ranger.
“Thanks for helping me,” the ranger said. “Can you tell us your names?”
“I’m James.”
“And I’m Morgan.”
“It’s hard to imagine a condor’s incredible size,” the ranger explained. “So Morgan and James will help show us.”
The ranger handed Morgan one end of a long roll of black felt. She gave the other end to James. “Walk apart,” the ranger instructed.
Morgan and James walked away from each other and held up the felt until it was fully stretched out. It was cut into the shape of a large bird’s wings.
“That’s more than nine feet long!” the ranger said.
James looked at Morgan and then at the wings. He turned to the ranger. “We saw a bird that had wings just like this.”
“And it had a number on it,” Morgan added.
“You definitely saw a condor,” the ranger said. “Lucky you! Those numbers help us keep track of them. We tracked one condor with a radio tag. It traveled 500 miles in two days.”
A person in the audience suddenly looked up. “A condor!” she called out.
Several large birds were circling over the canyon. People grabbed their cameras and binoculars.
“They have white patches under their wings,” one person said.
“The end of their wings are splayed,” another person added.
The audience watched the birds circle around in the sky.
After the talk, James and Morgan ran back into the lodge where Dad was.
“Guess what?” James said.
Dad looked up from his reading. “What?”
“We know what kind of bird it was!” Morgan exclaimed.
“The one from the canyon?” Dad asked.
“Yeah,” James said. “The talk on the patio was all about it.”
James filled Dad in on condors.
“You were right,” Morgan said.
“Interesting,” Dad said. “It’s great to know that condors are liv
ing around here.”
“And,” Morgan continued, “there’s another talk about geology at four o’clock. Can we go?”
“Boy, you two are really interested in the Grand Canyon now,” Mom said. “That’s great!”
“I think once you’ve crossed it and seen so much of it,” James explained, “you really want to learn more.”
“I’m interested in that talk too,” Dad said. “I should be able to move again by then.”
At 4 p.m., the ranger trotted up to the patio outside the lodge with a box of supplies. “Welcome to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon,” she said. “My name is Pam. Usually we do this geology talk right here on the patio. But today we’re going to make a change. The talk will be inside the lodge because there’s a chance of thunderstorms. Come on, everybody.” The ranger opened the door and guided the group inside.
As soon as they all were in the lodge, it started raining. James, Morgan, Mom, and Dad sat on one of the lodge couches. Streaks of lightning flashed through the sky, followed by booming bursts of thunder.
“If you’re like me, you’ll want to watch this storm,” Pam said to the group. “And here at the Grand Canyon, our weather sure puts on a show, as you can see.”
Hail started pelting against the lodge windows. James and Morgan stood up and watched the tiny, icy balls bounce like marbles off the concrete patio.
“It’s just like the ‘Cloudburst’ section in the Grand Canyon Suite,” Morgan said. “I can almost hear the music.”
Lightning ripped across the sky. Thunder cracked and shook the lodge. James and Morgan ran back to their parents.
“That was close,” James announced.
The storm raged on. Dad, Mom, James, and Morgan huddled together.
“I’d sure rather be in here than out there,” Dad said.
Once the storm calmed down, Pam showed the visitors some rocks she had from the canyon’s different layers. She talked about the dates of the rocks in the canyon.
“And,” Pam mentioned at the end of her talk, “the lodge here is built on the top layer, the Kaibab Formation. We’ve found fossils or fossilized tracks of sponges, worms, shells, corals, and brachiopods, which are like clams, in this layer. These fossils are about 270 million years old.”
