The Spanish conquistadores who followed in Columbus's wake developed an unquenchable thirst for gold. In 1540 Coronado led a group of soldiers into Arizona. From his base at Hawikah, he sent out smaller expeditions to explore the surrounding territory. The natives told the Spanish about a large river to the north. Coronado sent one of his captains, Don Garcia Lopez de Cardenas, along with twelve men, to see this river. After traveling for 20 days they stood on the banks of the Grand Canyon.
