Re: Virtual view of Grand Canyon trails with Google Maps Street View

Google Maps Now Lets You Explore The Grand Canyon

by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) on Feb 1st 2013 at 8:00AM

Have you always dreamed of hiking the Grand Canyon but just can't get past all of the walking that would entail? Then you'll be pleased to learn that the latest update to Google Maps brings Street View technology to the national park, allowing us to take a virtual tour of its trails without ever leaving home.

Back in October we told you how Google planned to capture images from the trail by using their new high-tech Trekker camera system. The device is worn like a backpack and automatically snaps photos while some lucky Google employee wanders the landscape. Yesterday, the company announced that it has now incorporated the images and data that were collected on that October excursion, bringing more than 75 miles of Grand Canyon trails directly to your browser.

Amongst the more well known routes that are now included on Google Maps are both Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail, both of which provide superb views in their real and virtual states. You can even explore nearby Meteor Crater or wander along the banks of the Colorado River, the force responsible for carving the Canyon over many millions of years.


http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/01/google-maps-now-lets-you-explore-the-grand-canyon/

The release I read a couple days ago read; "...75 miles of trails and nearby roads." It looks like not more than half of that is trails. Pretty cool though, and I'm looking forward to more. Here is a view of their rig near the Black Bridge.

http://goo.gl/maps/ysz40