wilderness lessons on leadership & life
About Gregg
Hello, I'm Gregg Burch. I've just finished writing God's Faint Path, a book that we are publishing over the blog. I hope you'll join us for the journey. More about me, contact me...
Grand Canyon North Rim
We made reservations a year ago to stay in a rim side cabin on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Our friend Beverly Gholson joined us for the adventure. We arrived just as remnants of a hurricane that dumped 12' of rain on Phoenix pushed through. After a foggy, rainy start, we had a beautiful visit. We saw a California Condor, and hike rim trails. We stayed at a Rimside Cabin at the historic North Rim Lodge. Great trip to the isolated North Rim.
Road Trip!
We got up before the sun to pack and drive from Boulder to the Grand Canyon.
Sun peeks over the horizon
We drove out just as the sun rose. We decided to spend our first night in Torrey, UT, next to Capitol Reef NP. That way, we could drive scenic Highway 12 through the Grand Staircase/Escalante and Bryce Canyon on the way to the North Rim.
On to the Reef
We had a beautiful day's drive, but knew we were heading into the remnants of Hurricane Norbert, which dumped 11" of rain on Phoenix in a day.
Clouds gathering
As we approached Capitol Reef, the clouds gathered.
Raging River
As we approached the park from the East, we could see storm clouds in the distance. Then, we came upon a raging Fremont River, and were reminded of the flash flood danger here.
Storm Clouds on the ridges
The roads into Capitol Reef cross washes that tend to flood easily. We remembered from our last trip the warning signs. This afternoon, the roads were all closed due to flash flooding.
Rainy drive through Grand Staircase
The next day, we drove up and over Boulder Mountain, and across the Grand Staircase. We were in and out of the rain. Here you see the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon looming over the Staircase
Kaibab Plateau
We left the desert and drove up onto the Kaibab Plateau where you find thick forests of pine and aspen as you climb towards the North Rim.
Entering the Park
The North Rim is quite a bit higher than the South Rim. It is much cooler, with more rain and vegetation. Also, only a fraction of the visitors to the Grand Canyon make it to the North Rim.
Arriving at the Lodge
The North Rim Lodge is a wonderful log and stone structure rebuilt in the '30's after the original lodge burnt down.
Stunning views
Crossing the lobby, you look down a flight of stairs to the Sun Room, with stunning views of the Grand Canyon
Dining room with a view
Just to the right of the lobby is a huge dining room with more incredible views. Better make reservations, it's the only game in town for a sit down dinner.
Lodge View
Views from the East Terrace of the Lodge
Makes me dizzy
It's a long way down from here, with precipitous drop-offs in every direction.
Reflecting beauty
You can see the canyon and clouds reflecting in the Lodge windows
Genie & Beverly on the East Terrace
Relaxing before dinner, listening to Ranger talks about Condors and the geology of the Canyon
Rim Side Pioneer Cabin
The three of us stayed in a rustic log cabin overlooking the canyon. You have to reserve these a year in advance.
Sun on the Canyon
Our first afternoon, the sun was shining, and the views were astounding.
Log Bench
I want one of these.
Remnants of Norbert
The hurricane that dumped 11" of rain in a day on Phoenix arrived the next morning, scuttling plans for hikes down into the canyon.
Driving tour of the North Rim
We headed out to see the sites despite the weather.
Looking for Condors
At this point, we saw a Turkey Vulture soaring, and then a Condor dropped off the edge and came soaring past us. Incredible how big he is.
Notch in the Rock
an arch is forming
Hiking the Widforss Trail
We took one of the rim side trails out from the lodge to several wonderful overlooks. Saw this horned toad
Burned out log
anyone for a dug out canoe?
Fire scar
the leeward sides of trees get burn marks like this as burning embers pile up and burn into the trunk.
Cave where the first ranger stayed
You can see the opening where the ranger who mapped much of this part of the plateau stayed.
Time to say goodbye
after a wonderful visit to the remote North Rim
