This black-and-white film is estimated to have been produced circa 1950. However, research was not able to confirm this date. The film is a KETC St Louis, Missouri, film project that was directed and produced by Ralph J. Tangney, narrated by William C. Everhart, Chief Historian, with the cooperation of the National Park Service, U. S. Department of the Interior. The film educates on facts about the Grand Canyon and the mighty Colorado, while a team is riding mules down a trail into the Grand Canyon, finishing on the banks of the Colorado River.

“The Carving of a Canyon – Grand Canyon National Park” title banner (00:07). Narrator William C. Everhart is standing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon (00:21). Scenic views of the Grand Canyon (00:53). A thunderstorm over the canyon during summer (01:12). C. Everhart standing on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (01:19). Chief Park naturalist, Dave, arrives to answer Everhart’s questions about the canyon (01:36). Dave explains that the size of the Grand Canyon is 217 (today 277) miles long, up to 14 (today 18) miles wide, and more than one mile deep (01:38). He is asked to explain how the canyon is made, and he suggests going into the canyon to explain it (02:01). A fencing with mules for rangers and tourists to travel on into the canyon (02:26). Mule wrangler, Howard, speaking to Everhart about using mules on the canyon’s trails (02:43). Everhart, Dave, and Howard ride mules on the Bright Angel Trail towards the canyon’s floor (03:23). They reach the Tonto Plateau (05:08). They continue the trail down towards the canyon floor (05:20). Dave is riding his mule and pointing towards rocks balanced on an outcropping (05:49). Lichens growing on rocks (05:59). Rain falling over the canyon (06:03). Trees growing in cracks in the rock formed by water freezing and expanding during winter (06:13). A birds-eye-view of the Grand Canyon (06:21). Dave, Everhart, and Howard continue their mule ride down the trail (06:25). The Colorado River (06:33). Rock walls of the canyon (06:44). Everhart is standing on the bank of the Colorado River (06:49). A slope of rocks and dirt brought down by forces of erosion (07:44). The river carries away the rocks and dirt, preventing the canyon from filling up, while also grinding at the canyons bottom to deepen it further (07:58). Everhart speaks about the debris carries down the river (08:08). Footage of the river (08:21) and the tall walls of the canyon (08:42).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com