While the canyon may be reached over trails at other places outside of
the district named (such as Lee’s Ferry Trail, by wagon from Winslow;
Moki Indian Trail, by way of Little Colorado Canyon; and Diamond Creek
road to Colorado River from Peach Springs station), most tourists prefer
the Bright Angel, Grand View, and Bass’ Camp routes, because of the
superior facilities and views there offered. The Peach Springs route is
the only other one now used by the public to any extent.
It is near Grand View that Marble Canyon ends and the Grand Canyon
proper begins. Northward, a few miles away, is the mouth of the Little
Colorado Canyon. Here the granite gorge is first seen.
Bright Angel is approximately in the center, and Bass’ Camp at the
western end of the granite gorge. By wagon road it is eighteen miles
from Bright Angel east to Grand View, and twenty-three miles west to
Bass’ Camp.
In a nutshell, the Grand Canyon at Grand View is accounted most
sublime—a scene of wide outlooks and brilliant hues; at Bright Angel,
deepest and most impressive—a scene that awakens the profoundest
emotions; at Bass’ Camp, the most varied—a scene of striking contrasts
in form and color.
Each locality has its special charm. All three should be visited, if
time permits, as only by long observation can one gain even a
superficial knowledge of what the Grand Canyon is. To know it intimately
requires a longer stay and more careful study.