May 30, 2022, Monday. Grand Cavern North Rim

Today we see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. True to what we have heard, it has a different feel than the South Rim. Both are amazing but in different ways. The views of the formations from the North Rim seem closer than the South and are more of the upper parts of the Canyon.

The North Rim is about 8,000 feet elevation, 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim. There are Ponderosa pines and aspen trees, with green meadows along the road to the park. It is also cooler. This morning was about 37 degrees and we saw light snow flurries while eating breakfast. Tonight the temperature is forecast to dip to 25 degrees.

We start at the Visitor Center and walk to Bright Angel Point, which faces the South Rim. The variety of formations and colors are impressive, many of which we had seen from the South Rim, but we see them nearer and from a different side. There also appears to be less haze, the formations are clearer.

Then we take the road to Point Imperial and Roosevelt Point, which provide views of Vermillion Cliffs and areas to the east, and Cape Royal, which faces southeast. Each of these includes a short trail to the best view point, and there are numerous other pull-outs for more viewing, including the Angels Window and several that look like castles or temples.

We decide against longer hikes. We are also treated to sightings of a coyote, a Kaibab squirrel, a red-tailed hawk that had just made a kill and flew off with a mouse in its claws, and numerous other birds.

We also enjoyed chatting with people we met along the way. Beginning with a family of four from Detroit we met at the entry sign where we had stopped for a selfie-picture as requested by our families at home, an elderly couple from Maryland who were on the road for several weeks, and a couple from Charlottesville who were visiting parks on their way to Montana where they have relatives.

We did not encounter crowds, even on this holiday. Camping places and campers were numerous. By mid-afternoon we are satisfied and return to the Kaibab Lodge. Tomorrow we will drive to Zion National Park.