Hannah Orloff - Landscapes in the East(Appalachians) versus West(Grand Canyon/Nevada)

 This past May I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to the Grand Canyon and then right after hike several mile along the Appalachian Mountain range. Although both locations by definition were a part of mountain ranges, their landscapes looked entirely different from one another. Out west, the landscape appeared to change so rapidly. The drive from Las Vegas, NV to the Grand Canyon is just over four hours, but the landscape shifts dramatically from an arid desert to a dense pine forrest. I actually saw dust devils on my drive there, which was pretty cool but insane to see how things changed from dry to rich in plant diversity. I had visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at the top, which stood at just over 7,000 feet above sea level. The air was super thin there, and I believe it was more prominent because of how dry the air is compared to the east coat. My lips were the driest in the few days I was visiting then I've felt anytime before in my life. Temperatures were also much different, as the day before I was at the Grand Canyon it was 85 degrees Fahrenheit in Vegas and I was in a pool. At the grand canyon, the temperature was more like 60 degrees and I felt like I didn't pack enough layers. This has to do mostly with the elevation gain between Vegas and the Canyon, by about 2,000 feet give or take (I believe). The Grand Canyon, by the way, was absolutely the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life. I haven't traveled around too much yet in my lifetime, but it is truly a unique and special place, and I recommend at least visiting if you have never before. But my two weeks on the Appalachian trail were just as special, just in a different way. The old hills in Tennessee and Virginia were lower in elevation from the Canyon, with the highest we ever hit over 5,000 feet in elevation, so the air didn't feel as thin, but I also feel like the air felt this way because of the humidity. That time of year on the trail there was rainfall every day, and clouds formed around the clock in the high altitudes. The moisture in the air kept me from feeling the altitude, as well as not having super dry skin. The forests on the AT were also different, and made up of lots of pine but also deciduous trees. Out at the Grand Canyon there were mostly coniferous trees and a few low growing shrubs. The only place on the AT where the vegetation was slightly similar was in the Grayson Highlands, however those trees were much smaller in height compared to the Grand Canyon. Also, while at the GC, there were signs on the trees of a semi-recent controlled forrest fire (burn marks on the wood of the trees), indicating how dry the area is. At least at this time of the year, the ground stays wet for the entire day in the Appalachians, so fires aren't as popular (in fact they were a pain to start). Both places had such unique landscapes, but were absolutely so beautiful, and I am glad I had the chance to visit each place and experience being there. I had seen many pictures of the Grand Canyon and of the Appalachians on my phone for years, but to be there in person is something no phone camera can capture.  

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