THURSDAY - After a comfortable night's sleep we got up at 6:30AM and walked across US-89A to the Jacob Lake Inn to have breakfast.
Today we are going to be traveling 42-miles south on AZ-67 into the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Before we arrive at the National Park boundary, we'll be traveling through the Kaibab National Forest. This 44-mile stretch of AZ-67 was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 1998 and given the name Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway.
There was a devastating wild fire in 2020 that burned large amounts of trees...
...while other areas remained untouched.
On the Kaibab Plataeu there are large flat areas with an abundant amount of grass. This feeds a large population of deer and even a small herd of bison in the area.
Just a short time later we were setting up in our campsite with a tiny bit of a view of the canyon.
Plenty of sunshine to keep our batteries charged up.
We even have an Airstream neighbor, but they're leaving tomorrow morning after a 4-day visit.
FRIDAY - This morning we are going to drive the additional 2-miles down to the end of the road where you'll find the Grand Canyon Lodge.
They offer a $20 All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet and once I found out it included Biscuits and Gravy I was all in.
Today we are planning to explore the 23-mile long Cape Royal Road Scenic Drive. There are at least five amazing vistas to stop at to check out the canyon. Just so we don't feel rushed, we even packed a simple picnic lunch and plenty of water.
Hiking, or even walking, at 8500'+ will soon have you out of breath when you've lived your entire adult life in Florida at less than 50' of elevation. For that reason we're keeping everything under 1-mile today when out exploring on foot.
SIGHTSEEING AT THE NORTH RIM OF GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
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This info board explains how a wildfire in May of 2000 burned the entire forest that was here. Now 25 years later the Aspen trees are the only tree to return to this area.
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Across the street there are a few Ponderosa Pines left standing, but they're mostly gone.
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At 8803' Point Imperial is the highest viewpoint along the entire Grand Canyon.
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If you're willing to walk out to the point, you'll be rewarded with sweeping vista views.
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Walhalla Overlook is the first location we've been able to see the Colorado River down below.
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Far off in the distance you can see the snowcapped San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff.
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This stop has a bonus feature across the street, the ruins of a pueblo home.
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It's a very short walk over to the ruins.
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We stopped at the Cliff Spring Trailhead, not because we were considering doing the hike, but because it offered a pretty nice view of our next stop.
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Can you spot Angels Window off in the distance?
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Yes, there is a walkway that crosses over the top of the window!
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It's only a short walk down a paved walkway to reach the Angels Window.
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These are the bloom of the Utah Serviceberry tree found between 4000-8000'.
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We are about halfway down the trail at this point.
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Angels Window frames the Colorado River perfectly.
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We were just speaking with these people a few minutes ago. They too are from Florida, on vacation from the Tampa/St. Pete area.
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This walkway is even scarier than Point Imperial.
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Once again the 360° views are incredible.
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Tricia was so intent to capture the snowcapped mountains again...
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...she almost missed seeing the smaller "mini" Angels Window down below us.
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SATURDAY - We slept in a little bit today.
We intend to drive over to the Grand Canyon Lodge at 10:30AM to listen to a Ranger led talk about the geology of the Grand Canyon. It will be held at the outside amphitheater at the beginning of the Bright Angel Point Trail. Unfortunately, the very popular trail is closed for repairs during our stay.
This view was a big distraction while we were trying to focus on what the Ranger was saying.
After the Ranger presentation we walked over to the Lodge's dining room and found out there was going to be a 10-minute wait before it opened for lunch at 11:30AM.
The front entrance of the north rim's Grand Canyon Lodge.
This auditorium is where they hold the 7:30PM night time Ranger programs.
At least at night time you won't be distracted by this view out the auditorium windows.
Located just 5-miles outside of the National Park's entrance gate is where you'll find the United States Forest Service's Demotte Campground. If you can't get a reservation at the National Park Service's North Rim Campground the Demotte Campground is a good second choice, but you'll have to make reservations 6-months in advance here also.
If you're not the reservation type of traveller, there is a third option and it's FREE.
Less than 1-mile south of the Demotte Campground entrance is the intersection of AZ-67 and Forest Road 611. If you're willing to drive 4-miles east down a rough gravel road you find FREE dispersed camping in the Kaibab National Forest.
Dispersed Camping means there are no amenities. No water, no electric, no bathrooms, no garbage collection, no manmade flat spots and definitely no cell service. What you do have is awesome views of the East Rim and relative solitude.
We found 9 or 10 well spread out campsite locations on the rim, but this being Memorial Day Weekend they were all occupied. Maybe we'll stay out here on our next Grand Canyon visit?
The large meadows as you approach the Demotte Campground entrance on AZ-67.
Turning onto Forest Road 611 the asphalt quickly turns into gravel.
Two miles in there is a bathroom, but it's two miles away from the awesome campsites.
No, that's not THE POD, but it's proof we could camp out here if we wanted to.
The only vacant campsite was better suited to tent camping. It was too small for anything else.
Just 4 more miles of gravel road before we get back to pavement.
WEDNESDAY - Today is our last day here at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. At 8282' of elevation it's the highest campground we've ever visited. But that record won't last until the end of the year as we'll eventually visit the state of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains.
We have several chores to take care of today, like laundry, showers and filling ROVER's gas tank with $3.41 fuel. That's not a bad price when you compare it to the $4.05 they were charging over on the South Rim of the canyon just last week.
Looking for our Visited States Map and Data? How about our State by State Bucket Lists or Visited Campgrounds List? If so, click on the sign below to be taken to our other website.
This info board explains how a wildfire in May of 2000 burned the entire forest that was here.
Across the street there are a few Ponderosa Pines left standing, but they're mostly gone.
At 8803' Point Imperial is the highest viewpoint along the entire Grand Canyon.
If you're willing to walk out to the point, you'll be rewarded with sweeping vista views.
Walhalla Overlook is the first location we've been able to see the Colorado River down below.
Far off in the distance you can see the snowcapped San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff.
This stop has a bonus feature across the street, the ruins of a pueblo home.
It's a very short walk over to the ruins.
We stopped at the Cliff Spring Trailhead, not because we were considering doing the hike,
Can you spot Angels Window off in the distance?
Yes, there is a walkway that crosses over the top of the window!
It's only a short walk down a paved walkway to reach the Angels Window.
These are the bloom of the Utah Serviceberry tree found between 4000-8000'.
We are about halfway down the trail at this point.
Angels Window frames the Colorado River perfectly.
We were just speaking with these people a few minutes ago.
This walkway is even scarier than Point Imperial.
Once again the 360° views are incredible.
Tricia was so intent to capture the snowcapped mountains again...
...she almost missed seeing the smaller "mini" Angels Window down below us.
