The Grand Canyon
Located mostly in northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon really is a spectacular place. Visitors to the South Rim count in the millions every year; they come to sleep at El Tovar, to hike the trails and to peer over the edge a mile into the earth. The North Rim, on the other hand, is much less developed and it sees far fewer visitors. Get away from the crowds and the noise and spend three days on the North Rim; you can enjoy the same scenery from the other side and avoid the thundering herd of tourists.
Instructions
1. Start your 3-day adventure at the visitor center on the North Rim. Learn as much as you want about the geology, the wildlife and the history of the place. Go for a drive down Cape Royal Road; it’s about 15 miles one way. Here, you’ll find a number of good but short walks and hikes that will take you out to great vistas, including Cape Final, the Walhalla Overlook and Cape Royal.
2. Make reservations to camp at the North Rim campground (no hookups) or to stay in the lodge and cabins. From the lodge, hike down to Bright Angel Point. Finish your day with an interpretive ranger talk in the amphitheater.
3. On your second day, go farther afield to do some sightseeing. Drive back to Jacob’s Lake and head west on US 89; at Fredonia, take Highway 389 toward Pipe Springs National Monument (the trip is about 40 miles). Learn about local American Indian culture and early Mormon settlers, and see the rigors of life in Arizona's “Strip Country.”
4. Experience Toroweap. Head back toward Fredonia and watch for the Mount Trumbull Road about 5 miles from Pipe Springs. This 54-mile long dirt road will take you past the Tuweap ranger station to Toroweap Overlook. From this point, you can lay on your belly and hang over the edge to look at the Colorado River a mile straight down. Be very careful, because the North Rim does not have the extensive network of protective barriers found at the South Rim. If heights make you dizzy, stand back from the edge because it’s a long way down if you lose your balance.
5. If there is space and weather permits, camp at Toroweap. Stay on top of weather forecasts; huge storms can blow up very quickly and the road may become a challenge. As an alternative, return to Jacob’s Lake and camp in the forest or in one of the RV facilities there.
6. Day three is your last chance to enjoy the North Rim. Visit the gift shop at Jacob’s Lake. Make time to walk through the forest and enjoy the sound of the wind in the pines. On your way out, stop at some of the roadside stands. Local artisans and artists offer a selection of jewelry and art for sale, and if they don’t have exactly what you’re looking for, they probably have something better, or they’ll offer to make it for you. If you’re driving south on US 89, take a brief detour to the park’s east entrance and climb to the top of Mary Coulter’s tower at Desert View Point.
Tags: about miles, Grand Canyon, Jacob Lake, Cape Royal, over edge, Pipe Springs, Road about
