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Category: North Rim

Sky Watch Friday at Grand Canyon National Park

Mt Hayden in center foreground, looking toward the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers
This incredible view is from Point Imperial, the highest in elevation overlook in Grand Canyon National Park at 8800 feet (2684 meters), located on the North Rim as a side trip off Highway 67 on the way to Cape Royal. Don’t miss this on your next trip to Grand Canyon.

For more great views of skies from around the world or to share your own go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim, Point Imperial, Sky Watch Friday, travel 21 Comments

The Gypsy life of a seasonal Park Ranger Spring 2008

During the winter of 20007/08 while living in Yarnell, Arizona I applied for seasonal Park Ranger jobs at several western National Parks even though I could return to Oregon Caves National Monument.
Pin Cushion Cactus flowers Arizona
Pin Cushion Cactus blooms
As spring approached I was offered a seasonal Park Ranger position at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. A dream comes true. I had actually turned down the South Rim two previous summers because they couldn’t accommodate my RV home.
Snow along SR67 Kaibab NF AZ
Highway 67 to the North Rim
So towards the end of April I hitched up to the 5th-wheel and headed north, a 360 mile drive up to 8,200 feet.
Sign entering Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
The North Rim of Grand Canyon was still closed and there was a locked gate into the Kaibab National Forest just south of Jacob Lake. Fortunately a National Park Service (NPS) employee was coming out and then locked the gate behind me.
Snow around entrance station North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Closed entrance station
It was still a 30 mile drive just to the park boundary.
RV home North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Home for the summer
Then another 13 miles to the end of the road. I set up the 5th-wheel in a park-like Ponderosa Pine forest amongst other RV employees.
1949 Sing-Away at Grand Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park archives
1949 North Rim “Sing-away” by Lodge staff – NPS archive
I easily walked less than a mile to the developed area at the end of the road where the Grand Canyon Lodge sits perched on the edge of the canyon.
Grand Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Canyon side of Grand Canyon Lodge
This version of the lodge was completed in 1938 replacing the original 1928 version after a kitchen fire. There are also about 100 cabins available for visitors to rent. Call a year in advance for reservations.
Bright Angel Point trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Bright Angel Point trail
From the lodge I walked ¼ mile out to Bright Angel Point.
Looking south from North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
My first view of the canyon from the North Rim in almost 35 years
It’s only 10 miles as the raven flies to Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim; by road the same destination is more than 200 miles away. By trail the distance is 23 miles.
Looking south from North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
And so I began a dream come true at Grand Canyon.
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, My gypsy life, North Rim , , 31 Comments

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