Google Street View Team Treks The Grand Canyon For Mapping

The value of Google Maps has been highlighted in recent weeks after Apple launched its own maps app, soliciting a collective “boo” from most users and generating a slew of (somewhat unfairly over-the-top) Internet jokes and memes, but Google is not content to sit on its laurels. The company is taking mapping just about everywhere you can imagine, and the latest area of the globe to get the Google treatment is the Grand Canyon.

Because the Grand Canyon isn’t accessible via car--or trike, or snowmobile for that matter--Googlers are mapping the American wonder with Trekkers, which are backpacks with 360-degree cameras mounted on top and controlled by Android phones.

Google Maps Grand Canyon
Tough day at the office for the Google Maps team

So far, the team has mapped portions of the Grand Canyon National Park including the Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail, and other chunks of the South Rim. Google says that these images will soon be live on Google Maps for all to enjoy.