Summer Monsoons at the Grand Canyon
We’ve just entered into my favorite time of the year around here…summer monsoons at the Grand Canyon!
After experiencing one of the driest and warmest winters on record for the past 120 years here in Northern Arizona, the monsoon season’s arrival is a welcome sight by all.
The monsoons we have around here are defined as a near-daily repeating pattern of rain that lasts from the beginning of July until beginning of September, and provides the biggest season of rainfall seen at the Grand Canyon and the rest of Northern Arizona. The refreshing afternoon rain showers help bring life to the landscape, and an abundance of flowers will soon be in bloom.
Our wildlife has definitely been wanting for water as of late. This has been witnessed by a number of unusual animal sightings, such as mountain lions making their way into Flagstaff, seeking a drink from people’s backyards and pools, to wild horses sneaking into the Grand Canyon National Park to look for water and greenery which is more in abundance where there are peopled areas.
Black bear on the Colorado River (Click for larger view)
Also see here is a recent picture of a black bear that made his way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon to get a drink from the Colorado River. This extremely rare sighting was captured just a few weeks ago by our friends at Arizona River Runners.
As much as our summer rains bring life to the Colorado Plateau, for me they also bring something which is just as spectacular…the best sunsets at the Grand Canyon!
The towering anvil-headed clouds provide a perfect palette for the array of colors which showcase the handiwork of God nearly every evening. The last rays of the setting sun in the far-distant west illuminate the clouds from beneath and often provide rainbows of His promise to the east.
Having spent well over 400 days at the Grand Canyon leading tours these past 9 years, I can most assuredly tell you the very best time to see the very best sunsets over the Grand Canyon is usually during July and August. Fortunately for you we offer Sunset Tours of the Grand Canyon. The nice thing about a tour with Canyon Ministries is we not only showcase the Grand Canyon from a biblical creation perspective, providing you with a different view, but we also know the very best locations for witnessing the spectacular sunsets which take place here.
Sometimes that may be a little off the beaten path and away from all the crowds of tourists. Sometimes it’s in a quiet place where we can hear the still small voice of the One whose work is on display. I like it that way, because it gives each and every one of us the amazing opportunity of closing out the day with the One who made it.
Nate
