The last in a five-part series of posts — some of my favorite quotes from 19th-Century tourists who wrote in John Hance’s guestbook.

Hance’s tall tales are legendary, and we know from his guests that his stories were well received.

Poetically inclined Grand Canyon visitors piled on the superlatives. Others wrote of their inability to find proper words.

Today, the Park Service service warns hikers not to hike to the river and back in one day. But the good advice predates Grand Canyon National Park.

A collection of testimonies written in John Hance’s private guestbook preserves a fascinating collection of early tourist reactions to Grand Canyon.