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.
Drove 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.
At the turn off onto the Cape Royal Road the 2000 Outlet Fire is visible where hillsides of young aspen glow.
Quite the contrast between the 16 year old Outlet burn and last year’s Fuller burn seen on the left.
A 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.
More evidence of the Fuller Fire could also be seen.
Yet after a fire the wildflowers are often bountiful like these Larkspur.
Second stop, Greenland Lake which was surprisingly full of water.
The 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.
Stopped 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.
But I chose to go to the wedding site for my picnic dinner and to watch the light and shadow play plus sunset.
Very nice, Gaelyn. I loved the photo showing the old and new burn areas side by side. The other shots as well, of course.
Ah I was sitting right next to you during this drive and loved every minute of it. Greenland Lake has more water in it than when we were there, But Angel’s window and the wedding site I remember well, but of course this is later in the day than when we saw it with you and you have that magical sunset. Thanks for the memories. 🙂 Diane
So nice that you visited and now know these places.
Thank you for the wonderful photos. What a great way to start my day! Mary Lou
Thank you for the lovely compliment. Have a great one.
A beautiful road trip, you captured the sunset perfectly.
Thanks Jeff.
The 10% vs 90% is why I love the North Rim. What a great photographs of Walhalla view and those that follow. The colors are wonderful. So are the skies The sunset “star” almost off the right side of that final picture is breathtaking. Submit that picture somewhere. It’s seriously fantastic.
That’s why I’m on the North Rim too.
Yes! We did this drive, and walked the rim trail, in 2014. Love the wedding area. Thank you for helping me recall the memories. The North Rim feels so much more intimidating, raw, and pristine…all in a beautiful way…than the more developed South Rim. We hope and pray NRGC will always remain this way.
And, the Confluence! Would you feel comfortable writing a post about the potential tram development, even though it’s off 64 near the SRGC? We only found out about it when we drove through the former Bennett Freeze area on our way to the NR.
Totally agree about how unique the North Rim is. Don’t think there’s too much worry about it being developed, not in the budget or plan.
The possible tram development at the confluence seems to go on and off the table regularly. I don’t think most of the Navajo and Hopi people want it so near sacred land. The Park Service certainly doesn’t support the idea. It would be quite visible from several overlooks along the Cape Royal Road.
Thanks for taking us on that drive again ;-). I loved the wedding site, and remember the clouds rolling in and out while we were there. Such an incredible place you work!
We really had an amazingly special day out there with the inversion and glory.
Thanks, Gaelyn! As always, your blogs about the North Rim bring back fond memories of our days, weeks, months on the North Rim. As I am reflecting on my experiences, I can not think of one bad one.
Thanks George. No bad days at the Grand Canyon.
Oh wow!! Such gorgeous pics. Those layers are amazing.
Thanks Jodee.
what wonderful way to spend time – beautiful – had three deer in the yard last nt., Jim had 12.
love you lady
Wish you were here to enjoy it with me. Hugs
Oh such a wonderful ride into our memory lane right down to the spot where we got married!
We had hoped to get back there this year but seems like it will be 2018 when we return. You will still be rangering there next year, right???
That Cape Royal sunset shot is magnificent.
Imkelina
I hope to be here next year so we should be able to meet up. Glad you enjoyed the return to the wedding site.