Stumbled into the Grand Canyon's South Rim last fall and felt like everyone missed the real story.

I drove 8 hours from Phoenix to finally see the Grand Canyon in October. Everyone is always going on about the sunset views from the main overlooks. But what caught me was this quiet trail off to the side near the visitor center. Nobody was there because it didn't have the big dramatic drop-off. You could actually hear the wind moving through the pines and smell the dry dirt. I think people get so focused on getting the perfect photo that they forget to just stand still and listen. Has anyone else found a spot like that where the popular thing wasn't the best thing?

3 comments

3 Comments

luna_wright18d ago

Isn't that quiet trail just as overrated once someone posts a blog about it though?

vera_robinson3618d ago

See I get where you're coming from (I really do, I used to think exactly the same way) but I don't think a trail gets "overrated" just because someone writes about it. Like that blog could be telling people to show up at 6am on a Tuesday and avoid the weekends, you know? I found this spot near the river that got featured on a small blog last year and it's still quiet if you go during off hours. The problem isn't the blog itself, it's when people ignore the advice and go at peak times anyway. So I'd say a trail is only overrated if the person reading decides to treat it like a tourist attraction instead of a hidden gem.

ellioth3718d ago

Yeah you know what, I used to be one of those people who thought any trail getting attention on a blog was basically ruined. Like I'd get kinda annoyed seeing someone post about my secret spot near the creek. But then last summer my friend showed me her blog post about this little trail I'd never heard of, and it actually made me want to check it out. Turned out the place was super peaceful even with a few more people there because the blog had good tips on when to go. I guess a good blog can actually help people find the quiet spots at the right times instead of just swarming them. Made me realize I was being a bit gatekeeper-y about it.