The Landscapes of the Grand Canyon Touch Your Heart and Stay Forever With You
By Lucero Cabrera, an avid Grand Canyon Latina hiker.
I visited the Grand Canyon for the first time in 2000, two years after coming to Phoenix from the state of Colima in Mexico, where I was born and raised.
I still clearly remember when I first saw this natural wonder of the world. I immediately fell in love with its immensity and majestic rock formations.
Its striking beauty blew me away, and I knew I would return, but I did not imagine at that moment that one day I would explore the depths of the Grand Canyon and how this landscape would become my refuge, my second home, and simply my happy place.
I love mountains and have always hiked different trails in Phoenix, but I confess that I never thought I could hike the Grand Canyon until a group of friends invited me to hike the famous 18-mile South Rim trail that begins at the South Kaibab Trail down to the historic Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and then up via the Bright Angel Trail, all in one day. Of course, I said yes!
It was a challenging and magical journey at the same time. The experience left me exhausted, but I wanted to explore the Grand Canyon even more. That was just the beginning of what, to this day, is my greatest passion.
Going down to the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon via the South Rim is incredible, and I often do that same route to the point that I have lost count of how many times I have done it.
However, my favorite adventure in the Grand Canyon is crossing it from the north to the south rim, also known as the Rim-to-Rim, which is approximately 26 miles long with a detour to a beautiful waterfall. Every time I do that route, I stop at Ribbon Falls, a gorgeous waterfall that leaves you speechless not only the first time you see it but every time you encounter it.
I've hiked the Rim-to-Rim seven times and never get tired of doing it because even though it's the same route, each experience is different, and the Grand Canyon always amazes me with something new.
Different trails within the Grand Canyon reveal varied, spectacular landscapes. They are landscapes that profoundly touch your heart, and you always carry them with you. Even if you take photos of the Grand Canyon, the reality is that no image does justice to it. Its beauty is difficult to explain in words or to capture in a photograph or video. This is something that can only be understood when you live it or see it with your own eyes.
In addition to allowing me to connect with nature and with myself, the Grand Canyon has allowed me to connect with other Latinos who love this place as much as I do and with whom I constantly go on group adventures led by Joshua Lobo, whom we love as a friend and admire as our coach for these high-performance adventures.
Hiking 18 miles round trip to the Colorado River, the 24 miles of the Rim-To-Rim, or the 40 miles of the iconic and historic Hermit Rest Trail requires training, determination, and a deep love for the Grand Canyon.
Our hiking group formed by Latinos -called "The Pack"- keeps us motivated and connected as a community that loves and enjoys all this Arizona natural icon offers.
Although I have been hiking there for years and have lived in Phoenix for more than two decades, it was only recently that I learned of the efforts of the mining industry to extract uranium on public lands around the Grand Canyon National Park, threatening this unique and irreplaceable landscape.
That is why, as an Arizonan and hiker, I strongly support the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument designation proposed by the Tribes.
Many people, including myself, deeply love this place and want it to keep intact for generations to come. It's time to protect the Grand Canyon permanently once and for all.
Join me in supporting this designation by signing this petition.
