The Formation of the Grand Canyon

Dave Chupp, a dog breeder by trade, has traveled throughout the American West to appreciate that region’s natural beauty. In the course of his travels, Dave Chupp has visited the Grand Canyon in addition to Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks.

The Grand Canyon has fascinated geologists since the mid-19th century, and thanks to decades of scientific work, the geology community has a solid idea of what led to the creation of this natural wonder. First, it is important to understand the geography of the Grand Canyon, which rises around the Colorado River as it flows through Arizona.

Though the canyon appears to dominate the river, the truth is the opposite; it is the river that dominated the rock. Ancient antecedents to the Colorado River began slicing the canyon out of the rock about 70 million years ago, according to one theory, or about 6 million years ago, according to others.

In essence, understanding the Grand Canyon is a matter of understanding the powerful erosive force present in the rivers of the world, which literally shape the earth’s landscapes.

A Handful of the Must-See Attractions at Yellowstone National Park

An avid outdoorsman, Dave Chupp has traveled around the country to visit its top national parks. Dave Chupp has visited Yosemite, Glacier, and Redwood National Parks, as well as Yellowstone, known as the home of Old Faithful Geyser. While at Yellowstone, visitors should spent a couple of hours exploring the whole Upper Geyser Basin, which has the world’s highest concentration of geysers.

Another must-see site is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. While not as large as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Yellowstone Grand Canyon leads to Lower Falls, a 308-foot waterfall that has become one of the most-photographed features in the park.

Mammoth Hot Springs, the historic center of Yellowstone, features the oldest buildings in the park, along with the visitors center. Visitors usually get a view of the elk that graze on the Mammoth Village lawns.

Animal lovers should spend time in Lamar Valley, which is frequented by coyote, elk, bison, grizzly bears, and wolves. The best time to see some of the rarer animals is dawn or dusk. Lamar Valley is also a great fishing destination.

Some of the Best Vantage Points at Yosemite National Park

Dave Chupp enjoys traveling around the United States to visit its national parks. In California, Dave Chupp has spent time at Yosemite, which is known for its towering, rocky peaks. Below are some of the best vantage points in the park for seeing these formations.

Glacier Point: Regarded as having the best view in the park, Glacier Point looks out upon Half Dome and three waterfalls. For an even better peek at Vernal and Nevada Falls, go just south to Washburn Point.

El Portal: Only a couple of miles from Glacier Point, this area offers a view of the Merced River Canyon, through Yosemite Valley, and even out to the California Coast Ranges on particularly clear days.

El Capitan Meadow: This area has perhaps the best view of El Capitan and is an easy stop as visitors exit the park. It also offers a great view of Cathedral Rocks.

Sentinel Bridge: A famous vantage point, the bridge affords a view of Half Dome reflected across the Merced River, as well as the nearby Yosemite Falls.

Glacier National Park Rapidly Losing Its Glaciers

Based in Nappanee, Indiana, Dave Chupp and his family maintain a respected dog-breeding business. Also passionate about travel, Dave Chupp particularly enjoys visiting areas of natural beauty in America’s national parks. One of his favorite destinations is Glacier National Park, which straddles the Canadian border in Montana’s northern Rockies.

The park is known for having some of the largest glaciers in the lower 48 states, including the crescent-shaped Grinnell Glacier. Unfortunately, the park’s glaciers are receding quickly in the face of sustained climate warming trends. U.S. Geological Survey scientists monitor the two dozen remaining glaciers in the park, including the Grinnell Glacier. Currently losing mass at a rate of as much as 10 percent per year, the glacier is unlikely to exist by 2030. With alpine ice sheets in rapid retreat, all glaciers in the park are expected to be gone by the half-century mark.

Beyond the natural beauty of the glaciers, geological scientists warn that this will have a major impact on the availability of water throughout the Western states during the critical summer months, when snowmelt from the Rockies feeds numerous streams and rivers.