Google maps now include trails at Grand Canyon

EMBARGOED UNTIL THURSDAY JAN. 31 AT 3A.M. --This image provided by Google Maps shows a view from the Grand Canyon and Colorado River in Oct. 2012 in Arizona. Google now has brought its all-seeing eyes _ mounted for the first time on a backpack _ down into the Grand Canyon, showcasing the attraction's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other walkways. (AP Photo/Google Maps)

AP

Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2013, 3:20 PM

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Google is giving people a way to virtually hike the Grand Canyon.

The search giant released images Thursday that map the most popular trails at the park's South Rim and other walkways.

The Mountain View, Calif.-based company used a rosette of cameras mounted for the first time on a backpack to gather thousands of panoramic images last year.

The so-called trekker captured images every 2.5 seconds, showing the steep switchbacks of the Bright Angel Trail, the change from juniper trees to scrub brush and the Colorado River.

Google has said it wants to deploy the backpacks to other national parks and forests, and to ancient ruins and castles.

The company also has used tricycles, push carts and snowmobiles to map places where vehicles cannot travel.