Author Description

Thousands of people hike down into the Grand Canyon each year and many hike or run across its great expanse rim-to-rim. Anyone who descends into the Canyon should take time to learn about the history of the trails they use. This book, with more than 400 photos, tells the story of many of the early crossers in their own words. It also covers the creation of the trails, bridges, Phantom Ranch, and the water pipeline, the things that are seen during a rim-to-rim journey. These stories will help the reader have a deeper appreciation for the inner Grand Canyon and for those who helped make it available for us to enjoy. When this history story starts in about 1890, there was no Grand Canyon Village, no Phantom Ranch, and the groomed trails did not exist. There were only a few visitors to either rim because of the lack of roads. Step back in time more than 100 years, to experience the Canyon through the words of those who came before us, those who made our modern Canyon journeys possible. Many of the stories, gleaned from thousands of newspaper articles, have never been told in a Grand Canyon book. “This is the definitive book on the people’s history of the Grand Canyon over the past 150 years through the fascinating eyewitness accounts of those who blazed its trails and took on the formidable challenge of crossing the Canyon from rim to rim. After reading this book, not only will you have the most comprehensive and complete understanding of the people’s history of this area of the Grand Canyon, but you might also just find yourself so inspired and motivated that you will begin to plan a Grand Canyon adventure of the likes you would have never thought possible before!" - Benedict Dughoff, Executive Director Grand Canyon Trails Association