Located on the west side of Kauai, Waimea Canyon stretches 14 miles long, is one mile wide, and is more than 3,600 feet deep. These photos were taken from the Waimea Canyon Lookout (elevation 3,400 feet) which provides these panoramic views of crested buttes, rugged crags and deep valley gorges. The grand inland vistas go on for miles. Mark Twain dubbed this natural wonder “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”.
The canyon was carved thousands of years ago by numerous floods and rivers flowing down from the summit of Mount Waialeale; However, what makes Waimea Canyon even more impressive is when you consider its size in relation to the size of Kauai, which is only 26 miles across and 21 miles north to south.
On this trip to Kauai my family and I encountered a lot of rain, not entirely surprising considering we were near one of the wettest places on earth (Mount Waialeale receives an average of 466 inches of rain each year), but we also had to endure Hurricane Ana which fortunately only hit the island with Tropical Storm force. One morning we woke up to a sunny sky and seized the moment to drive to Waimea Canyon Lookout where we were blessed with these great views. A local woman selling fresh produce near the lookout parking lot told us she hadn’t seen clear sunny skies over the canyon like this for quite a few years.
The sunny clear skies didn’t last long, for (as you can see in some of the above photos) rain clouds came moving in just as we were leaving the canyon. Nonetheless, if you find yourself on the island of Kauai, Waimea Canyon is a must see. Hopefully you’ll see the canyon under clear sunny skies like I did…I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Did you have to climb one of these to take a photo ?
That’s what I call dedication.
Take a day off and take it easy.
What a beautiful and interesting blog entry!! Well done!
My family all climbed to the peak of Malham Tarn in Yorkshire. England.
Quite an achievement – 4 hours – but you had that feeling of self satisfaction completing it.
When I offered all the kids a drink from my rucksack they all refused.
“Dad – could we have something from that Ice Cream van ?”
A major road passed within 20 feet.
The moral of the story being – Had we driven there for an Ice Cream – then 20 years later – No one would remember our day out !
Malham Tarn Yorkshire England
Hi Marilyn and Garry
Marilyn, I’m so glad you enjoyed this POD. Thank you for the kind words.
They are much appreciated. If you have not yet had the chance, I do hope that one day you will be able to visit this magnificent canyon.
Garry…if a lovely attractive lady asked me if I hiked to the top of a mountain to take these photos, the answer of course would be “Why yes…yes I did (cough cough).” Between you and me, I took the easy way by climbing the short staircase from the parking lot to a very safe and secure lookout…but don’t tell anyone, ok?