Just getting to Toroweap, or Tuweep (which means dry valley in Paiute), proved to be a major part of the adventure. Allow more than extra time.
After an hour and a half drive on pavement from the North Rim we hit one of the three gravel roads for getting to Toroweap called the Sunshine Route. 61 miles (98 km) of washboard and dust.
This “route” took us through Antelope Valley.
Past Mt Trumbull…
…which has erupted about a dozen times causing lava to flow across the land and into the canyon. But that happened millions of years ago.
Then we drove into Toroweap Valley.
Where there is evidence of ranching.
Seems like we’d never get to the canyon.
Finally, we approached the boundary into Grand Canyon National Park.
Where the Toroweap Ranger station is located.
The road deteriorates along the last six miles of slick rock as the scenery just gets better. No choice but slow down even more. The Toroweap brochure warns that 25% of vehicles get flat tires on this section particularly.
Guess this old road grater hasn’t been in operation in many years.
We could finally see Tuweep Point.
And after five hours from our North Rim home arrived at the turn off for the Toroweap campground.