Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park, the North Rim. The gate will open at 7 am on Saturday May 15, 2010.
House Rock Valley and Kaibab Plateau looking west
Whether you drive into the North Rim from the east…
Kaibab Plateau looking south
…or from the north you’ll experience summer desert, then possibly winter on the rim.
Either way, you’ll junction at Jacob Lake. A good place to stop for a snack. They home bake a variety of awesome cookies, the milkshakes are huge, and they have an absolutely amazing gift shop full of many Native American arts.
You might also want to check out the Kaibab Forest Visitor Center next door. There’s as much to do and see in the forest as the park.
Or stop at the Kaibab Lodge for a meal about 20 miles (32 km) up the road. They have overnight accommodations quite frequently when the park is full.
The closer you get to the park the more it may still look like winter.
Be prepared to show your National Park Pass at the entrance station. What, don’t have one. Then it will cost $25 per car load to get in. Or ask about buying a pass. There are several different options.
Have reservations? Check in at the Grand Lodge after 4pm.
Then ask a porter to move the luggage from the parking lot to your cabin.
Take a walk out the Bright Angel Point trail…
…for magnificent views.
Brachiopod
You could even look for ancient sea fossils along the way but please don’t collect them so others may enjoy as well.
Roaring Springs Canyon and North Kaibab trail
Maybe you have a permit to hike across the canyon or just want to enjoy a few miles of the North Kaibab trail.
Trancept Canyon from Widforss trail
Or there’s other easier trails to enjoy the canyon views.
There’s also a 20 mile (32 km) scenic drive with multiple overlooks and the Cape Final trail is a gentle 2 miles (3.2 km) each way through Ponderosa Pine forest.
Sego Lily
You might see wildflowers along the way.
And spot a Kaibab squirrel.
Be sure to stop into the Visitor Center and get the latest scoop on what to do at the North Rim. Maybe I’ll see you there.
I hope you’ll get a chance to greet the morning from the lodge veranda as the sun highlights the colorful canyon walls.
And if you keep following my blog you’re sure to see a whole lot more of Grand Canyon as I work my third Park Ranger summer season here. Better yet, come for a visit.
16 comments:
Fantastic post, Gaelyn! The views are awesome and I also enjoy the little things like the fossil, Sego Lily and sweet Kaibab squirrel.
Man oh man oh man oh man....they don't pay you enough, Gaelyn. You just sold the planet on visiting the Grand Canyon and gave great information about accommodations, shops, snacks, hiking, wildlife and views. Hope we can make it back there, and SOON! Have a glorious summer. You can be sure I'll be following along from my perch in the sunny Southland!
I am ready to see the North Rim! I really want to hop in the car and head on over there...maybe we will in the near future! And, that squirrel...is it part rabbit? Look at those ears...wow. I haven't seen this critter before.
I'm ready to brave the volcanic ash in the air and fly over, but oh, yes, school isn't out yet and I have my son's wedding this summer...oh, well. I'll have to just 'settle' for your fabulous photos in the meantime. I remember Bright Angel Trail from before. That's one cute squirrel.
You really took a whole lot of very nice photographs. What a beautiful place this is.
I need to come back and see the North Rim and stay more than 5 hours. Gorgeous pictures!!
North Rim is one of my favorite places. Wish they'd hired me! Oh well, I'll be happy with Yosemite sightseeing in the meantime. I will plot to find a way to the North Rim some time this summer!
I am ready for this trip as I have been looking forward to it so long. :) I will be first in at the gate but I am first going to stop for some of those cookies you mentioned. :)
This is a great post and your photos are beautiful. I want to come right now!
The one time we were at the Canyon we drove up from Flagstaff and were on the South Rim, and only had an afternoon to spend. We need to spend a lot more time there! We got our Senior Park Pass last year, so we are ready.
We usually take a North Rim trip before mid-May, but this year we'll have to aim for autumn.
It looks beautiful,as always.
What an awe-inspiring place and you get to spend day after day in it. You are a lucky girl. Thanks for the invitation... I accept! (I can dream, can't I).
Ooooh my god,
this is immage is very beautiful !!!
Molto bello questo blog !!
Buona giornata :-)
Ranger Gaelyn does it again! Glad I saved reading it till today! You forgot to mention that if you try to point your finger at the squirrels they will get mad... LOL
Can't wait for more of your mad cap adventures! :)
Gaelyn, I want to come so badly!
You work and live in such an stunningly beautiful and unique place. Now its shoulder to the wheel and I am looking forward to see some more of the Grand Canyon area,
It would be a dream for me to come there and be able to take a walk with you Gaelyn....Michelle
Post a Comment