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Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the PacificBy 漏 Frank Schulenburg –

Top 10 astonishing facts about Waimea canyon

Located on the island of Kauai, the Waimea Canyon has been nicknamed 鈥淭he Grand Canyon of the Pacific鈥� by Mark Twain.  This statement fits the canyon as it stands up to or surpasses its big brother the Grand Canyon.

With its magnificent flora, the color contrast between the greenery and Kauai鈥檚 red dirt, and the waterfalls giving it the name 鈥渢he garden isle,鈥�.  Furthermore, it is the second-oldest of the Hawaiian main islands. how much is known of this gorgeous magnificent canyon? Here are the Top 10 astonishing facts about Waimea canyon

1. The Canyon was formed by one of the longest rivers in Hawaii

It was formed from the second-longest river in the Hawaiian Islands.  Waimea River originates in the central point and the second-highest point of the Kauai Island, mount Waialeale. The canyon was formed by a deep incision of the river arising from the extreme rainfall on the island’s central peak.

Mount Wai驶ale驶ale, is among the wettest places on earth this immense amount of water allowed the river to flow through the magnificent Kauai landscape and carve the canyon out of it for millions of years.

2. Part of the canyon has formed a collapse of the enormous volcano

Beginning over 5 million years ago, volcanic eruptions brought the start of the Hawaiian Islands. Not only did the river shape the enormous canyon but also the collapse of the volcano that created the island.

This collapse split up the island in half and allowed the depression to be filled with lava. The west side of the canyon is made of lava flow originating from the volcano that formed the island of Kauai. This part of the canyon is respectively older than the eastern side of the canyon.

3. It has cliff walls that were formed by flowing lava.

During the erosion process which didn鈥檛 take place on both sides of the canyon. The erosion only cut through the landscape on the west side of it resulting in huge cliffs on the east side of the canyon.  The east side of the canyon was made from the lava that flowed through the depression. The basalt of the cliffs was pitch black at first but has changed to a reddish color over time.

4. Waimea canyon is huge.

Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii By OKJaguar –

 The Waimea canyon runs for about 10 miles (16 kilometers) and has a total depth of approximately 3,000 feet (900 meters).  Its sheer size of it gives further  reason for it being nicknamed the 鈥淕rand Canyon of the Pacific.”

Furthermore, the Waimea Canyon vantage points provide panoramic views of crested buttes, rugged crags, and deep valley gorges and the grand inland vistas go on for miles.

5. It鈥檚 the major attraction of the state park.

Waimea Canyon State Park Hawaii By dronepicr –

Waimea Canyon State Park encompasses 1,866 acres (7.5 km2) and is a popular tourist attraction on the island. It provides a wilderness area with numerous hiking trails. It can be accessed from Waimea on Hawai驶i state road 550, which is 18 miles long and leads up to K艒ke驶e State Park. The island of Ni驶ihau, only a short distance west of Kaua驶i at that point, can be seen from the highway.

6. It has one of the wettest places in the world

Falls at Waimea Canyon By Skyobrien – 

Waialeale is located at the southeastern edge of an extinct caldera that is now a plateau called Alakai Swamp. Shrouded in clouds, Waialeale is one of the world鈥檚 wettest spots, averaging some 450 inches (11,430 mm) of rainfall annually.

In 1982, 666 inches (16,916 mm) of rain were recorded at the peak, establishing an official record. Only a few miles away, however, the number of raindrops dramatically to only 10 inches (250 mm) a year.

7. Situated within Koke’s State Park.

The canyon is located within the State Park referred to as the 鈥淲aimea Canyon State Park鈥�. This therefore makes the State Parks Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources the administer of the canyon.

Moreover, State Park covers a total area of 1,866 acres (7.5 square kilometers) and is by far the most popular tourist attraction on the island. Apart from the canyon, there are numerous adventure hiking trails as well.

8. It can be observed from Hawaii state road 550

The best way to get a complete view of the canyon is by following Hawaii state road 550. The road starts at the small town of Waimea in the western part of the island. Furthermore, this town is significant in the history of Hawaii as it was the first place the Europeans landed on the island group.

Popular British explorer, James Cook and his crew, were among the first ones in 1778. This is also the reason the island is referred to as 鈥淗awaii鈥檚 Original Visitor Destination.鈥� The Waimea canyon road  takes you to K艒ke驶e State Park in the northwestern part of the island with numerous lookout points. This road is a great way to discover and appreciate this magnificent canyon!

9. There is only one restaurant along Waimea Canyon Drive

The drive up to the canyon might be a tricky one as there are no gas stations and only one restaurant along Waimea Canyon Drive. This route may take up to a whole day, depending on how many stops you make and you’re driving skills.

If you decide to take a tour up the canyon, choose a tour that includes lunch or snacks, or pack food. 

10. 鈥淲aimea鈥� is Hawaiian for 鈥渞eddish water鈥�

This name comes from the erosion of the native red soil that works its way into the river at the bottom of the canyon. The red soil comes from the weathering of the canyon basalt. This basalt is an extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of lava that created part of the canyon.

All this happened over millions of years causing the color to changed from black to an almost bright red. this red soil gives the river water flowing above its reddish hue.

There  you have it, top 10 astonishing facts about the gorgeous Waimea Canyon!