Grand Canyon ... the North Rim

The first thing I noticed about the North rim was the pine trees, the cool crisp smelling air and the distinct lack of people. I have been to the South rim before and I recall the tour buses, the large groups of people rushing the fence and the heat of the high desert!

I just didn't realize the Grand Canyon has such a diverse climate. The north rim is actually about a thousand feet higher than the South rim.

We were there in August and truly surprised with the low temps. I say low, due to the 100 degree desert we had been thru 2 hours earlier and 72 felt awesome if not .... nearly cool.

We stopped in Jacob Lake. No I didn't see any lake. There might be one, I don't know, I was here for the Grand Canyon and I was still stunned by the pine trees. From Jacob Lake we took the 67 south. What a cool ride. Grassy meadows and the crisp mountain air kept our attention as we wound up the 45 or so miles to the entrance. One thing we did note, there had been a fire sometime in the recent past and the loss in forest was devastating. It did not touch much of our view, however, we rode thru a few miles of it and it was a bit saddening to see the scars.

One thing you notice about the canyon is you don't see it! You expect at any time to suddenly round a bend and experience this awe inspiring view. It never happened! You finally realize you're somewhere close when you hit the parking lot. Now how do you hide something so large? Behind a forest. And when you emerge from the trees and catch the view, you know you're there.

A powerful and inspiring landscape, the Grand Canyon just overwhelms your senses through its immense size. Unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep.

See it, and you’ll understand immediately why the North Rim is regarded as the Grand Canyon’s “best side.”  While visitors at the South Rim jostle with crowds and endure daytime temperatures nearing 100°, those fortunate enough to see the Grand Canyon from it’s North Rim will have a whole different experience. 

The North Rim is only open from mid-May through mid-October.  At 8,000’ above sea level, the North Rim is cooler and typically experiences heavy winter snows, hence the shorter season.  At the South Rim, you’ll find primarily evergreen trees.  On the North Rim, maple, aspen, birch and oak trees stand side by side with Ponderosa pines, making autumn a particularly special time to visit when these trees put on a radiant display of colorful foliage.  Unique animal life abounds here, too, most notably, the gray Kaibab Squirrel with its distinctive tufted ears. It is a cousin to the Abert squirrel which lives on the south rim. This is a classic example of insular evolution. They started out as one species. As the canyon was cut, these squirrels became separated and developed into two different species of squirrels.

Visitor facilities at the North Rim are fewer in number and smaller in scale.  While the South Rim area has well over a thousand hotel rooms, the North Rim only has a couple hundred.  The South Rim sees approximately five million visitors a year; the North Rim receives maybe one-tenth that number.  In addition to cabins and some motel rooms, the North Rim also has a campground, restaurant, deli, cocktail lounge, gift shop and a mule trip outfitter.

The Lodge has a colorful history and is a great lunch spot with a view. The lodge has been built twice. Originally in 1928 and again in the late 30s after a fire destroyed it. Much of it's history is noted on plaques dotted around the village. Count on a few hours to take in the view.

The canyon is one of those "must sees" this life time ..... no matter which way you look at it.