GrandCanyonNPS (@grandcanyonnps) Instagram photos and videos

“It was during my enchanted days of travel that the idea came to me... that geology is the music of the earth.” ― Hans Cloos As this Earth Day draws to a close, we are grateful to have been present here at this special place. This is National Park Week - If you can, get together with friends and/or family to explore a national park or monument near you. You'll find special programs and activities taking place. #NationalParkWeek #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque #EarthDay #GrandCanyon #Arizona [Video Description: a sweeping view to the right across a vast chasm with colorful mountains and hills and lengthening afternoon shadows. Suddenly, a rainbow is revealed.]

On this day in 1838, author and environmental philosopher, John Muir was born. Of Grand Canyon he said, "Other valleys of erosion are as great -- in all their dimensions some are greater -- but none of these produces an effect on the imagination at once so quick and profound, coming without study, given at a glance." Muir was perhaps America's most famous and influential naturalist. He was involved with the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park. (As well as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Petrified Forest National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park.) In 1902 he published an essay, "The Grand Canyon of the Colorado," in Century Magazine, from which this quote was taken. Because of Muir's influential writings and role in the creation of multiple parks, he is often called "The Father of Our National Park System." [Image description: a river with calm water flowing between deeply shadowed rock cliffs with green foliage growing on both banks. In the distance, illuminated by bright sunlight, majestic cliffs rise below a pointed summit that is deep in shadow.] NPS/GRCA BIC

This afternoon the storm cleared. We’re expecting beautiful, sunny weather tomorrow for our Earth Day Celebrations & the start of #NationalParkWeek #FridayFeeling #RightNow go.nps.gov/dzdcjg Saturday 4/21/18 is also an entrance fee-free day for everyone, here at #GrandCanyon, and at all national parks that usually change an entrance fee. [Image description: Silhouetted sightseers are standing at a scenic overlook with a vast canyon landscape of peaks, cliffs and shadows in the distance.]

Much needed rain/snow showers are here this morning - however tomorrow, Saturday, we’re expecting sunny weather with a high of 64° F. Saturday is also an NPS fee-free day (4/21) #GrandCanyon and all nat'l park sites that normally charge an entrance fee will offer free admission. #nationalparkweek  #findyourpark  #feefree #GrandCanyon #Azwx #NPS #RightNow [Image description: Looking past sheer canyon cliffs at a blanket of gray rain clouds partially obscuring distant canyon peaks.]

Welcome to International Dark Sky Week! Tonight’s evening program (4/15/2018) Constellations Over the Canyon - Explore the beauty, mythology, and science of constellations underneath one of the darkest night sky sanctuaries on Earth. Meet at: Grand Canyon Visitor Center - 8:00 pm - Outdoor program. Dress warm! Hopefully you can join us for our annual Grand Canyon Star Party, June 9-16, 2018. [Image description: silhouetted trees and the stone rim of Grand Canyon at night; and across the sky, the Milky Way Galaxy.] Photo courtesy of Bristlecone Media. #GrandCanyon #Arizona #Astronomy #Constellation

View from Grandview Point on a clear, windy, and chilly afternoon, Thursday, April 12, 2018. A dry cold front is moving through the region tonight and tomorrow. #GrandCanyon #Arizona #RightNow [Image description: late afternoon shadows add depth to canyon ridgelines, peaks and cliffs. Above this vast landscape, a blue sky, with fast moving storm clouds.] NPS/M.Quinn

A recent sunset as seen from Plateau Point, Grand Canyon National Park. Plateau Point is 1.5 miles ( 2.4 km ) on a spur trail - beyond Indian Garden (and Bright Angel Trail.) From Grand Canyon Village, this is a strenuous day hike that takes from 8-12 hours, and it should not be attempted during the hot summer months. The round trip from the rim is 12.2 miles ( 19.6 km ) The change in elevation is 3,195 feet ( 974 m ) NPS/Jake Frank, visiting from @yellowstonenps #GrandCanyon #Arizona #ColoradoRiver #Hiking [Image description: Looking down onto a green river at the bottom of a gorge formed by steep cliffs. On the horizon, a rolling plateau, then another series of cliffs and peaks rising skyward and partially illuminated by the last reddish light of sunset] -mq

#GrandCanyon #Geology These highly metamorphosed rocks are found in Phantom Canyon, a few miles from Phantom Ranch. Called migmatites, they form under extreme metamorphic conditions that actually cause the rocks to start melting. Migmatites are an intermediate between igneous and metamorphic rocks. [Image description, a slick rock pour over in shades of gray and black appear to be melted together in swirling patterns . There are also white inclusions running in streaks through the other rocks.] NPS Photo

Join us Saturday and Sunday April 7 and 8 at Desert View Watchtower from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm for a chance to meet Jerolyn Honwytewa (Hopi Silversmith) and Yvette Talaswamima (Hopi Silversmith) and learn more about the Hopi culture and art. #GrandCanyon #Arizona #Hopi #Silversmith. [Image description: a round stone tower on the edge of a vast landscape overlooking colorful slopes and cliffs with a green river meandering at the bottom.]

A recent sunset visible from Hermit Road on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Photo courtesy of Christian Schroll. @christian.schroll.photography [Image description: the last light of day imparts a reddish glow to the tops of peaks and cliffs within a vast canyon landscape. In the Sky, complex groupings of dark clouds with a variety of blue and white highlights amongst darker shadows.]

Unlike mountain climbing It’s all uphill when returning on a canyon hike. Bright Angel Trail begins just west of Bright Angel Lodge and offers day hikes that range in distance up to 12 miles (round trip). Some shade. Seasonal water subject to pipeline breaks. Check at the Visitor Center or Backcountry Information Center for water status. Upper portion of the trail may be extremely icy in winter or early spring. #GrandCanyon #Arizona #Hiking #R2R #Geology [Image description: an unpaved trail with rocks lining the edges is ascending upwards through a series of vermillion colored cliffs. Higher up is an imposing cliff of beige colored sandstone with a blue sky overhead.] NPS/M.Quinn

This afternoon‘s view of Zoroaster Temple from the Canyon Rim Trail (3/30/2018) > Is #GrandCanyon on your itinerary this weekend? Spring is beautiful, but busy. Plan accordingly to make the most of your time here. Arrive early. Take Tusayan shuttle. More tips - go.nps.gov/j2kb8t #FridayFeeling #Arizona #Today [Image description: Looking out over an irregular limestone ridge in the foreground, towards a massive peak with plateau-like arms extending on several sides.] NPS/M.Quinn