A friend and I visited the North Rim in 1993, it wasn't on our radar to make reservations there. It is soooo worth the drive from the South Rim, it is a long ride, but it's so beautiful out there, and the views are gorgeous, so different from the South Rim in environment. We pretty much had the trails all to ourselves. No bus loads of tourists, just us, and the workers checking on the railings at points interest, and one said to the other, "We need to idiot proof this one." (Which we found amusing because there were plenty of candidates for Natural Selection at the South Rim.) It was only a day trip there and back, and I wished we had elected to stay there instead of camping on the South Rim (tho' it was a nice campground where we stayed. We had a raven sharing his range of vocalizations with us! And he never pooped on our tent!) On our ride back to our campsite it was late, and it's very dark out there, so we were being careful, and there was no one else driving on the road with us. Then we saw eyes glowing back at us from our headlights, and we knew it was a very large animal up ahead. We stopped, and it was a huge bull elk, he was magnificent! His antlers were like he had a tree growing on his head. He stared us down for a minute or two and then casually walked away. I looked at my friend, and I said "I think we were spared. He could've bashed the s**t out of your truck if he felt inclined to do so...this is his road and he was letting us know!" (As an owner of a wee donkey, I adore Brighty!) I must get back out there again someday, it's so magical.
Always been our favourite of the two rims. The view from the picture windows of the lodge is unforgettable. Reminds us that we are way overdue to write a story contrasting North and South
I've been to the South Rim many times but the North Rim only once. I do enjoy the southern views better because it tells more open, but the northern views are still fantastic because the finger-like canyons give you amazing views of the canyon stratigraphy. I’d love to stay in the lodge at the North Rim sometime, though!
A friend and I visited the North Rim in 1993, it wasn't on our radar to make reservations there. It is soooo worth the drive from the South Rim, it is a long ride, but it's so beautiful out there, and the views are gorgeous, so different from the South Rim in environment. We pretty much had the trails all to ourselves. No bus loads of tourists, just us, and the workers checking on the railings at points interest, and one said to the other, "We need to idiot proof this one." (Which we found amusing because there were plenty of candidates for Natural Selection at the South Rim.) It was only a day trip there and back, and I wished we had elected to stay there instead of camping on the South Rim (tho' it was a nice campground where we stayed. We had a raven sharing his range of vocalizations with us! And he never pooped on our tent!) On our ride back to our campsite it was late, and it's very dark out there, so we were being careful, and there was no one else driving on the road with us. Then we saw eyes glowing back at us from our headlights, and we knew it was a very large animal up ahead. We stopped, and it was a huge bull elk, he was magnificent! His antlers were like he had a tree growing on his head. He stared us down for a minute or two and then casually walked away. I looked at my friend, and I said "I think we were spared. He could've bashed the s**t out of your truck if he felt inclined to do so...this is his road and he was letting us know!" (As an owner of a wee donkey, I adore Brighty!) I must get back out there again someday, it's so magical.
Excellent write-up, Jan!
Always been our favourite of the two rims. The view from the picture windows of the lodge is unforgettable. Reminds us that we are way overdue to write a story contrasting North and South
North Rim visit in Feb 1971 to see sunrise. The area was open then with small melting parched of snow.
Always most interesting
Sheerly delightful! Great history followed by the lucky Brighty and the Singaway! This has been a wonderful series
I love this series Jan! We need to plan a trip to the Grand Canyon! Randy’s never been! ✨🤗✨
The longer looks amazing. What a wonderful experience I must have been staying there in it's early days. Love the story of Brighty!
I've been to the South Rim many times but the North Rim only once. I do enjoy the southern views better because it tells more open, but the northern views are still fantastic because the finger-like canyons give you amazing views of the canyon stratigraphy. I’d love to stay in the lodge at the North Rim sometime, though!