X DOESN’T MARK THE SPOT

How to say a proper “so long for now” at the Canyon’s West Exit.

The map below, courtesy of Google, shows the west end of the Greater Grand Canyon. The big dark plateau is the Shivwits, with its several southward-aiming points left by the Canyon’s cutting into it.  

The Colorado and its gorge run up from the center bottom and head northwest to a final turn at the exit, after 277 miles, at the northside butte, temporarily being called, She Waves: Goodbye For Now. 

A Friendly Look at Grand Canyon's Northern Neighbor

The Grand Canyon's West End is defined and confused along its northwest boundary because the map drawers of 1968 wanted a straight line rather than one wandering along the contours of the Canyon's drainage. Maybe one day, that lazy line will be corrected. If so, then the dramatic features of Pearce Canyon could be highlighted for their own charm.

AND, the delights of exploring the West End could come into their own.

This map of Pearce from Google is an aerial depiction of the ground, but with odd coloring. Lake Mead is to the left; Snap Point's vegetated "arrowhead" is right top center.

A second brings out the ups and downs of the topography:

Together, they suggest esthetic unity for the corner of the Grand Wash Cliffs with the drainage of Pearce Canyon running north of the Grand Canyon and west into Lake Mead. These maps show how Pearce is cutting eastward into the arc formed by Snap Point on the north and the cliffs of Chuarumpeak (Grand Canyon's Westernmost High Point).