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.
We got up before the sun to pack and drive from Boulder to the Grand Canyon.
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.
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.
As we approached Capitol Reef, the clouds gathered.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
The North Rim Lodge is a wonderful log and stone structure rebuilt in the '30's after the original lodge burnt down.
Crossing the lobby, you look down a flight of stairs to the Sun Room, with stunning views of the Grand Canyon
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.
Views from the East Terrace of the Lodge
It's a long way down from here, with precipitous drop-offs in every direction.
You can see the canyon and clouds reflecting in the Lodge windows
Relaxing before dinner, listening to Ranger talks about Condors and the geology of the Canyon
The three of us stayed in a rustic log cabin overlooking the canyon. You have to reserve these a year in advance.
Our first afternoon, the sun was shining, and the views were astounding.
I want one of these.
The hurricane that dumped 11" of rain in a day on Phoenix arrived the next morning, scuttling plans for hikes down into the canyon.
We headed out to see the sites despite the weather.
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.
an arch is forming
We took one of the rim side trails out from the lodge to several wonderful overlooks. Saw this horned toad
anyone for a dug out canoe?
the leeward sides of trees get burn marks like this as burning embers pile up and burn into the trunk.
You can see the opening where the ranger who mapped much of this part of the plateau stayed.
after a wonderful visit to the remote North Rim