Grand Canyon, North Rim

After leaving Page, we drove around on the 89A towards the North Rim. For a long chunk of the drive you're driving beside the Crimson Cliffs, named after the red rock, very spectacular. Then you begin to climb up and then at Jacob Lake, turn south and keep climbing.

There is only one road into the Canyon. The road shuts during winter. At the end of the road is the North Rim visitors centre. There is a camp ground, but if you're going there, stay in the lodge. It is rather surreal.

It has a decidedly alpine feel to it. The north rim is about 2000 feet higher than the south rim, so different plants and a lot greener. Cooler too which was nice. And a lot less people as well. You can walk out to Bright Angel Point, which is along the tip of a little spur, almost directly opposite is the south rim visitor's centre. It's 10 miles away horizontally, or a five hour drive, or a one day hike (most people take three days). That should give you some idea of the size of the canyon.

A lot less visitors on the north side. It's further to go, not as many spots to see. Once you're there, you're pretty much limited, but that also makes it more relaxing I think. Lots of hikers of course, there are trails all over the place. Also lots of people sitting on the edge of really steep and long drops.

It would be interesting to take a hike. (We met a guy who did the hike to the south rim in a day, but most people take three days). I also know a hike would kill me. You're pretty high up on the north side and I don't take altitude well, but on the plus side, you go down pretty fast.

It would have been nice to stay the night there, but there is a long waiting list, so once it got dark, we turned and headed up to Kanab. Got to be careful too, there are bison on the road. Bison are black. At night, everything is black. Having a bison suddenly appear in the headlights is not the best feeling.