CD Cover

About the Album
Nicholas Gunn: "Return To Grand Canyon"

Return To Grand Canyon
We first "felt the power of the Canyon and the tranquil song within it" from Nicholas Gunn on "The Music Of The Grand Canyon." Now the journey continues with "Return To Grand Canyon", an aural landscape meant to capture the adventure and majesty resonating throughout this towering corridor while reflecting the diversity of the great Southwest.

Flight Of The Condor
A truly magnificent bird, the California Condor weighs in between 20 and 24 lbs. with a wingspan reaching up to 9.8 feet. Although the condors have existed in the Southwest for thousands of years, they began their decline in the late 1800's. By the 1980's, there were only 21 or 22 condors existing in the wild or in captivity. The last sighting of one near the park, before the Condor Reintroduction Program, was in 1924 at Williams, Arizona. For more information on the preservation and release of this endangered species, you can contact: The Peregrine Fund at www.peregrinefund.org.

Kaibab Forest
Home to varied forms of wildlife ranging from cougars and bears to the indigenous Kaibab Squirrel, this 1.5 million-acre National Park surrounds the Grand Canyon. Its name comes from the Piute Indian word for "the mountain lying down" - a reference to the high plateau that rises from the southern tier of the forest.

Havasu Falls
Featured on the cover of this recording, the plummeting blue-green waters of Havasu Falls are one of the most spectacular sites deep within the canyon. Difficult to reach and located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, hikers are rewarded with the stunning beauty of the red sandstone cliffs contrasting against the turquoise waters. Calcium carbonate in the water produces crusty curtains of travertine that hang from every surface touched by the fall's spray.

Daybreak At Timp Point
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is much more isolated and removed from civilization than the South Rim. The elevation is over 1,000 feet higher, making for a colder climate with the North Rim being open only 5 months out of the year. It was by accident that we were able to view Timp Point in the wee hours of daybreak. After all, our goal was to gaze upon the shadowy red and golden walls during sunset. Off-road vehicle, four-wheel drive and all, we found ourselves stranded in an under-estimated snow bank just short of our destination. After a very long, cold and starry night, we hiked miles the next morning before the kindest of individuals happened upon us and saved us from our blistery fate. Lesson learned: know the weather conditions and be prepared before venturing out to the North Rim!

Horseshoe Mesa
This popular day hike destination possesses spectacular views and is found by traveling along the Grandview Trail. Copper ore was discovered on the mesa in the late 1800's and there are remnants of the abandoned mines left today.

The Greatest Wonder
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon truly is "The Greatest Wonder" of them all. The song, translated from Spanish to English sings,"We see and feel the power of this tranquil place, respect and honor the spirit."

The Crossing
Time, like the ever-rolling Colorado River, crosses these canyon walls imprinting an ancient tale. Varied in tongue and folklore, science or fiction, those who come to this awesome place leave appreciating the story of the greatest work of art that only mother nature herself dare sculpt.

Navajo Story
Razor Saltboy of the Navajo Indian Nation tells a story of his people and their land. "The Navajos refer to the Grand Canyon as Bidahaztii, the trail that goes down along the canyon wall and means �the way up along the canyon wall.� The other part of Navajo life is the idea of harmony being at one with nature. In 1863, the Navajos were being gathered up by Kit Carson and a lot of Navajos in the western portion of our land escaped into the canyon and hid out there until they felt it was safe."

Cottonwood Camp
Traveling on the North Kaibab Trail from the North Rim, you will come across Cottonwood Camp. With an elevation of 4,000 feet and located about half of the distance between the trailhead and the river, it is an excellent stopover for weary hikers.

Angel's Window
From the North Rim you can view Angel's Window on a half-mile hike from Cape Royal. The "window" is a large natural arch that was formed by the erosion on a fin of rock that protrudes into the canyon.


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