The Great American Southwest Adventure Continues!

Driving South from Brice Canyon, we made our way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, in Northern Arizona just south of the Utah border.

Most people who visit the Grand Canyon only make it to the South Rim (I read that the North Rim receives only 10% of Grand Canyon visitors).  The South Rim may be a bit more easily accessible (compared to the North), and it may also have far more major viewpoints.  But the North Rim is quite spectacular in its own right.  With views and vegetation particular to its side of the canyon.

Above an overall map of the North Rim.  Below, the insert showing the North Rim Visitor Center and Bright Angel Point, where our first pics and videos were taken.

The view at the North Rim can be poorly affected by smog, usually blown in all the way from California.  Whether smog reduction efforts are now generally working or whether we had a lucky day, comparison with signage confirmed that we had full visibility this day in August at the North Rim.

The North Rim sits higher than the South Rim, and is usually cooler.  But the hottest part of the Canyon is in the valley.  Which is why hiking tours from rim to rim through the valley take two days, with the hike into the valley and out of the valley starting at the wee early morning hours, at least in the summer months.

We drove from the visitor center to Point Imperial

We hiked the Cliff Spring Trail just north of Cape Royal, which took us to a rather special corner of the Canyon.

Next stop for amazing views: Cape Royal.