This Month In Grand Canyon History

September 1540-

Conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado is coming toward the tail end of his expedition through the wildernesses of North America to find the Seven Cities of Cibola. Don Garcia Lopez de Gardenas, in late August 1540, is sent out to explore beyond the province of Tuzan for eighty days. Guided by the native Hopi people, amongst sightings of big horn sheep and other native fauna, Lopez comes upon the Grand Canyon.

The following is an excerpt from the book "The Journey of Coronado, 1540-1542, from the City of Mexico to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado and the Buffalo Plains of Texas, Kansas, and Nebraska, As Told by Himself and his Followers" published in 1904, edited and translated by George Parker Winship. This excerpt is quoted from pages 202-203.

“He was conducted beyond Tuzan by native guides, who said there were settlements beyond, although at a distance. Having gone 50 leagues west of Tuzan, and 80 from Cibola, he found the edge of a river down which it was impossible to find a path for a horse in any direction, or even for a man on foot, except in one very difficult place, where there was a descent for almost 2 leagues. The sides were such a steep rocky precipice that it was scarcely possible to see the river, which looks like a brook from above, although it is half as large again as that of Seville, according to what they say, so that although they sought for a passage with great diligence, none was found for a long distance, during which they were for several days in great need of water, which could not be found, and they could not approach that of the river, although they could see it, and on this account Don Garcia Lopez was forced to return.”

Don Garcia Lopez and his soldiers were the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon in its early glory. Now, 471 years later, the entire world has the opportunity to see and explore what Lopez never did. Join us on an adventure down the Colorado River, and take the opportunity to stand upon the rim in the company of history, and to appreciate the beauty of one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World.

By Vanessa Therrien