On to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Saturday, June 13th, 2014. We left Zion after doing morning chores taking on nice spring water and headed out before the girls sharing our site woke up. We continued east on Route 9 thru Zion's 1.1 mile tunnel. All vehicles over 7 feet 10 inches wide must pay a $15 fee and wait for either escorted travel thru or the oncoming direction of traffic to be stopped. We didn't have to wait at all, as we approached the waiting line began it's advance with the opposite flow stopped. Bob loved driving down the center of the tunnel. On the other side it was a different landscape. The geological features were more glaciated. There was even a "checkerboard" mountain with cracking lines in both horizontal and vertical patterns. This has been achieved over many years with freeze and thaws and water trickling in.

Big Horn Sheep also inhabit this side though we did not see any. They were re-introduced both here and at Capital Reef NP after the native herd died off due to disease contracted from pasturing livestock. We picked up Route 89 then 89 Alternate through Kanab,UT and Fredonia, Az and in Jacob Lake picked up Route 69 South to North Rim of Grand Canyon NP. It was very peaceful and scenic traveling along this route. Hardly any traffic. There was a large herd of Bison free ranging along the large meadow area in the National Forest area just before the park entrance. And some areas along the forested ridges that showed evidence of fires about 2 years ago. The new growth is so green and there are wild flowers blooming here and there. There were several mule deer grazing too.

The entrance to North Rim is about 203 miles from South Rim, of the Grand Canyon. But is less than 150 miles from Zion or Bryce Canyon so we chose to enter it from this direction. We parked in the large parking lot (shared with the guests of the Lodge) and headed directly to the Bright Angel Point trail. It is short and quite narrow in places barely 5 feet wide with edges descending into the canyon. It keeps you on your toes and well focused. But the views are worth the effort. We could even see snow on top of the San Francisco Mountains across and beyond the South Rim. We hiked back along the ridge at two other vantage points and took in the views. Then we walked up the many stairs to the North Rim Lodge. All are welcome to stroll both stone decks and into the great room with huge glass walls overlooking the views. There is a restaurant here and mule rides were available. I was under the impression that we needed 1 to 2 years advance reservations for that but apparently only for the South Rim and descents into the canyon. Here the trek is more along the rim and down to a closer point. (I forgot where, but not the bottom.)

The parking lot had a couple of Kaibab Squirrels unique to this small region. They are black with taller ears than most squirrels and have a whitish tail, made me think skunk at first when I saw only the tail swish around a tree trunk! They sure are cute little creatures. The chipmunks were ever looking for handouts too, but it is illegal to feed any wildlife especially in the parks.

The National Park Service visitor center had my passport stamps and Bob's Park "coins". Inside we met the store clerk who is also from our area of Florida. Then we strolled along past the cabins (for rent) and entered the Saloon. In the mornings it is a Coffee Saloon with a Barista brewing up specialty coffees and serving up breakfast burritos and fresh muffins or scones. In the the afternoons it is a bar/pub serving pizza slices. We arrived in time for pizza and a brew. We both enjoyed Sweet Devil's Stout. It made for a great happy hour and an early supper.

We then drove 4 miles north out of the park and turned west on Forest Service Road 22. Heading about 1/2 mile we again turned left onto a forest road and found a spot to boondock for the night. It was a quiet night and we woke early to clear blue skies. We headed back into the park for morning coffees and pastry at the Saloon which we ate luxuriously on the Lodge's deck overlooking marvelous views. After 2 hours we headed north on 69 and retraced our route through Fredonia and stocked up, gas, propane and beer!

"Going Places With Smiling Faces!"