May 30, 2017

As a North Rim Ranger I usually tell visitors to drive the 23 miles to the end of the Cape Royal Road first then work their way back, stopping at the multiple overlooks on the right side of the road for safety.  Good advice, but I planned for sunset at Cape Royal so stopped at several of the viewpoints on the way instead.

cars along SR67 North near North Kaibab trail head North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaDrove past the North Kaibab trail head where because the parking lot would have been full many vehicles park along the road.  Lots of rim to rim hikers in the spring and some day hikers go down maybe a mile or two.  Actually, only 1% of visitors get over the rim.  Yet parking lots are small at the North Rim where only 10% of the six million visit Grand Canyon National Park.

2000 Outlet Fire Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAt the turn off onto the Cape Royal Road the 2000 Outlet Fire is visible where hillsides of young aspen glow.

2016 Fuller Fire & 2000 Outlet Fire Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaQuite the contrast between the 16 year old Outlet burn and last year’s Fuller burn seen on the left.

trees Mount Hayden Point Imperial North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaA hazy view greeted me at Point Imperial caused by wind blown smoke from prescribed burns on the south side of the canyon near the town of Tusayan just south of the park.

burnt trees from 2016 Fuller Fire Point Imperial North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMore evidence of the Fuller Fire could also be seen.

Larkspur Point Imperial North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaYet after a fire the wildflowers are often bountiful like these Larkspur.

Greenland Lake North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSecond stop, Greenland Lake which was surprisingly full of water.

snag Colorado River from Walhalla overlook North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThe view at Walhalla overlook was still a bit hazy.  But could still see the Colorado River at Unkar rapid and delta.  Everybody’s favorite tree to pose by makes me nervous when I see people lean on it or sit on one of the very dead branches.

Angels Window from Cliff Spring parking North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaStopped at the Cliff Spring trail parking for a view of Angels Window.  There is a short spur off the Cape Royal trail to walk on top of the fin with the window.

late light Wotans Throne from Wedding site North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaBut I chose to go to the wedding site for my picnic dinner and to watch the light and shadow play plus sunset.

sunset Wotans Throne from Wedding site North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

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