When I walk down the canyon, I see ceibas barrigonas, "big-bellied" trees that are endemic (only found in a certain place) specialized for clinging to the dry slopes of the canyon, but by looking at the rocks in the layers of the canyon I can find the fossils of ancient marine (sea) creatures like ammonites. This means that millions of years ago, this area was a sea! Now it is very dry and covered in a tropical dry forest. Amazing what geology (the study of rocks) and paleontology (the study of ancient life through fossils) can teach us about our environments today and in the past!
I live in Barichara which is at the top of the canyon but I often hike down an ancient ancestral trail to a town called Jordan at the base of the canyon. There is a big bridge there that crosses the Chicamocha River. The river shines a little bit silver when the light hits it just right. This river is an important source of water for many of the farms at the base of the canyon.
People living in the canyon today have to face the challenges of very hot dry weather. There are other challenges too about living near or in this magnificent canyon, especially the place called Mesa de los Santos where you can feel seismic tremors (like mini earthquakes) almost every day! In that place, there is a very special spot where some rock climbers have made routes for climbing with ropes on the canyon walls. I told you this place has an interesting geology that creates lots of reasons for adventure!
