Smithsonian Institution | Hit the Trail

Groundbreaking Painting of Grand Canyon a “Must See”

English-born painter Thomas Moran famously painted some of the most iconic landscapes of the Western United States. His “Chasm of the Colorado” depicted Grand Canyon beneath a fierce storm. Though he took some artistic and geologic liberties, the …

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Conquering the “Great Unknown”

This summer marks the 150th anniversary of John Wesley Powell’s pioneering expedition down the Colorado River, including the inaugural run through Grand Canyon. Powell and his feisty crew of nine launched on their historic journey on May 24, 1869, at …

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