Grand Canyon - North Rim Day 2

Uncle Jim Trail 

Kathy at the trail marker.

Uncle Jim Trail begins by climbing gently among the tall trees, running quite close to the rim and offering partial views down Roaring Springs Canyon.    

Our first view of North Kaibab Trail.

This was taken with our camera zoom.  Looks like a bridge you need to cross.  Kathy is not fond of bridges but if you hike this far down the canyon, you definitely do not want to hike back up the mountain.  I think she can make even with her eyes closed.

Some parts of the trail show quite extensive wildfire damage.

Uncle Jim Trail is about 2-1/2 miles long one way.  The views of the canyon and North Kaibab trail get better at the overlook. 

The North Kaibab Trail is the least visited but the most difficult to maintain.   If you click in this photo you can see some of the trial in the center of this photo.  Much of the trail was blasted directly into the cliff. 

The trail is about a 1000 foot higher at the trail head than South Rim trails.

If you click on this photo, you can see a white roof in the center left.  This is the Pumphouse Residence.  

Here I am scoping out the canyon.  

The trail travels steeply in the first couple of miles then evens out to match the quality and grade of the South Kaibab Trail.  

Pictures along the Cape Royal Drive

After a wonderful morning hike on Uncle Jim Trail it was time to do some scenic driving. The turn off for Cape Royal Drive was not far from the North Kaibab Trail parking lot, so it was an easy decision to make!  This photo was taken at the Vista Encantada Viewpoint. 

The drive is 23 miles one way, but with stopping to view the numerous viewpoints and maneuvering the winding road it takes a few hours. Another photo at the Vista Encantada Viewpoint.

The road gets close to the Rim at times.  Kathy said "Slow Down" many times during the drive.  I swear I was not speeding.   

The viewpoints were spectacular, 

I especially like the clouds. 

Don't skip this drive if you make it to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

.At Walhalla Overlook, you’ll see the Colorado River far below as it twists and turns through the Grand Canyon.

Cape Royal 

We finally arrive at the Cape Royal Marker. 

Display for Angels Window.

 

Here you can see the dramatic hole in the arch.  You can also see visitors along the top of the arch. 

Cape Royal provides a panorama up, down, and across the canyon. 

With seemingly unlimited vistas to the east and west, it is popular for both sunrise and sunset.

The Cape Royal view point has the best views in the park. The Desert View Watchtower on the South Rim can be seen from this point as well as the Colorado River below. We did see the Watchtower with our binoculars. 

The visit to the North Rim brought back many great memories of our hikes of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  Do Not miss the opportunity to see the canyon and all its beauty!