July 5, 2016

Skyrocket & lupine Big Basin North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

As if I hadn’t seen enough wildflowers the day before along the Widforss trail I’m a glutton when they’re around so Bill and I took a drive out the road to Point Sublime to see the Big Basin wildflowers.

Point Sublime Road through Big Basin North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

At first the road through the forest isn’t bad then gets progressively worse but it’s only about five miles to the huge meadow known as Big Basin.

 Wildflowers Big Basin North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Big Basin North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

So worth the drive for the delight of colors scattered across the meadow plus the added bonus of incredible clouds. The fields were dominated by Skyrocket, lupine, paintbrush, and some LYF (little yellow flower). Only wish the flowers hadn’t been dancing with the wind.

Big Basin North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The meadows are an interesting phenomenon on the Kaibab Plateau. This is karst country, limestone and sinkholes with a cap of clay that holds moisture which the grasses and flowers like. But not so much the drought tolerant trees seen growing on higher ground.

Big Basin North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Wildflowers Big Basin North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I tried for several different angles getting into a rather unladylike position. Also experimented with the camera settings. Be thankful I only included a few of the hundreds shot.

Grass rock trees Point Sublime Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Then a patch of grass below a rocky wall caught my eye on the drive back. Bill’s getting good at my sudden calls to “Stop!”

Grass rock trees Point Sublime Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I might have seen some little people scamper into the shadows.