Google's incredible street view of Grand Canyon

In this Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo, Google operations manager Steve Silverman stands along the canyon wall wearing the Trekker during a demonstration for the media along the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The search engine giant is using the nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's about 4 feet in height when set on the ground, and when worn, the camera system extends 2 feet above the operator's shoulders.

In this Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo, Google product manager Ryan Falor works with the Trekker during a demonstration for the media along the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The search engine giant is using the nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's about 4 feet in height when set on the ground, and when worn, the camera system extends 2 feet above the operator's shoulders.

This Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo shows view from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Search engine giant Google is using the Trekker, a nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit, to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's the latest evolution in mapping technology for the Mountain View, Calif., company, which has used a rosette of cameras to photograph thousands of cities and towns in dozens of countries for its Street View feature.

This Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo shows a view from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Search engine giant Google is using the Trekker, a nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit, to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's the latest evolution in mapping technology for the Mountain View, Calif., company, which has used a rosette of cameras to photograph thousands of cities and towns in dozens of countries for its Street View feature.

This Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo shows a mule team walking along the Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Search engine giant Google is using the Trekker, a nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit, to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's about 4 feet in height when set on the ground, and when worn, the camera system extends 2 feet above the operator's shoulders.

In this Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo, Google product manager Ryan Falor walks with the Trekker during a demonstration for the media along the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The search engine giant is using the nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's about 4 feet in height when set on the ground, and when worn, the camera system extends 2 feet above the operator's shoulders.

This Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo shows a visitor climbing on a canyon wall near the Bright Angel Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. A three-wheel cart gathers images from narrow cobblestone alleys, a push cart allows for virtual tours of museums and a snowmobile captures skiers meandering down the slopes. Now the search giant Google is using a backpack-sized unit to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trail and other off-road sites.

This Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo shows the Google Trekker during a demonstration for the media along the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The search engine giant is using the nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's about 4 feet in height when set on the ground, and when worn, the camera system extends 2 feet above the operator.s shoulders.

This Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo shows the mast of Google's Trekker during a demonstration for the media along the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The search engine giant is using the nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's about 4 feet in height when set on the ground, and when worn, the camera system extends 2 feet above the operator's shoulders.

In this Oct. 22, 2012 photo, Google operations manager Steve Silverman walks with the Trekker during a demonstration for the media along the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The search engine giant is using the nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's about 4 feet in height when set on the ground, and when worn, the camera system extends 2 feet above the operator's shoulders.

In this Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo, Google operations manager Steve Silverman shows low-resolution images of photos gathered by the Trekker on an Android phone during a demonstration for the media along the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The search engine giant is using the Trekker, a nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit, to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's the latest evolution in mapping technology for the Mountain View, Calif., company, which has used a rosette of cameras to photograph thousands of cities and towns in dozens of countries for its Street View feature.

This Monday Oct. 22, 2012, photo shows a long horn sheep near the Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Search engine giant Google is using the Trekker, a nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit, to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's about 4 feet in height when set on the ground, and when worn, the camera system extends 2 feet above the operator's shoulders.

In this Monday Oct. 22, 2012 photo, Google operation manager Steve Silverman is silhouetted against a canyon wall as he poses with the Trekker during a demonstration for the media along the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The search engine giant is using the nearly 40-pound, backpack-sized camera unit to showcase the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other off-road sites. It's about 4 feet in height when set on the ground, and when worn, the camera system extends 2 feet above the operator's shoulders.