CABIN FEVER
North Rim reopens Tuesday and lodgings are going fast
The Grand Canyon’s North Rim reopens May 15 and you may be thinking this is the year you nab one of the rustic stone cabins at Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim. ● Good luck with that. ● Only a handful of dates remain during the North Rim’s five-month season, according to the lodge’s availability calendar. And those open dates may soon vanish as well, with just a few cabins remaining for each one. ● August is your best bet, but be mindful that the situation is fluid and dates may be booked by the time you try. ● In other words, don’t blame us. ● Yo► also may call Forever Resorts at 877-386-4383 to inquire about cancellations, but they don’t keep a waiting list so you’ll have to be persistent if you want a specific date.
If you don’t require a private bathroom, a solid roof or daily visits from the housekeeping staff, there are plenty of camping spots still available. Fees are $18-$25 per night, and the campground has water, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities and a store. Campsites usually fill up each night, so don’t count on just arriving and nabbing one. Make a reservation at www.recreat ion.gov.
5 reasons to visit Grand Canyon North Rim
The The
crowds:
The North Rim draws 500,000 visitors a year, less than a tenth of the South Rim’s total. You’ll rarely have to peer through a crowd to see the views.
The scenery:
There is a depth and texture to the canyon at the North Rim you won’t find at the South Rim. Take the scenic drives to Point Imperial or Cape Royal to see for yourself.
The compactness:
No need to worry about parking or memorizing the shuttle-bus schedules. The tourist-friendly areas are within short drives on uncrowded roads.
Visitors are more relaxed given the shorter lines at the restaurant, deli and grocery store.
The attitude: drive:
Sure, the North Rim is six hours from Phoenix (compared to 31⁄ hours for the South
2
Rim), but it’s a lovely drive as you approach the Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River. If you want to see the river at eye level, but sure to stop at Lees Ferry just past the bridge.
Where to eat
There are three options at the North Rim Lodge. The Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and has amazing views. Reservations at dinner are strongly suggested. The Deli in the Pines is the place to grab casual fare including sandwiches, salads and pizza. The Coffee Shop also sells muffins, pastries and breakfast burritos, and the Roughrider Saloon has snacks to go with adult beverages.
There are plenty of places to picnic at the North Rim — sites have tables and grills (bring your own charcoal) and some are perched right near the Canyon’s edge. Pack a cooler and eat outdoors, or pick up supplies at the general store.
Lodging outside the park
Kaibab Details:
Lodge:
This rustic property 5 miles from the park entrance dates to about 1926. The setting includes forest and meadow, and wildlife is abundant. It’s a true getaway — there are no TVs or telephones, and you won’t have cell service or Wi-Fi. Accommodations consist of cabins in configurations ranging from single to quad to fit groups of varying sizes. A restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. Kaibab Lodge is open from May 15 to Oct. 15.
928-6382389, www.kaibab lodge.com.
Jacob Lake Inn:
This one-stop property is 45 miles north of the North Rim at the junction of U.S. 89A and State Route 67. In addition to motel rooms and cabins, Jacob Lake Inn has a restaurant, bakery (trust us — buy some cookies), small grocery store and a gift shop with an extensive collection of American Indian art. A gas station is adjacent.
Details:
928-6437232, www.jacob lake.com.
Scenic drives Cape Royal:
From Grand Canyon Lodge, go north on State Route 67. To the right (east) about a mile beyond the wellsigned North Kaibab Trailhead is the road that crosses the Walhalla Plateau to Cape Royal and Point Imperial, two don’tmiss viewpoints. Follow it about 5 miles to a “T” intersection. Turn south and go about 14 miles to Cape Royal, one of the Canyon’s premier viewpoints. A fairly short, easy trail begins on the southeastern side of the parking area and leads out over Angel’s Window, a huge natural arch that juts into the Canyon.
Point Imperial is just 3 miles north of the “T” intersection that also leads to Cape Royal. At more than 8,800 feet, it is the highest point on either rim
Point Imperial:
and offers unrivaled views, especially of Mount Hayden and Saddle Mountain. An easy, 2mile trail leads north from Point Imperial through an area burned by 2000’s Outlet Fire. The trail officially ends at the park boundary, but you can continue on to the Nankoweap Trail and Saddle Mountain area.
This overlook, several miles south of the “T” junction on the way to Cape Royal, offers impressive views of the Painted Desert to the east.
Vista Encantada: Walhalla Glades Ruins:
These prehistoric ruins, believed to be almost 1,000 years old, are on the west side of the road a mile or so north of Cape Royal.
6 hikes at a glance Bright Angel Point:
The paved, quarter-mile trail leads from the patio behind Grand Canyon Lodge out along a finger of rock to a magnificent overlook.
Transept Trail:
The 1.5-mile-long route snakes along the Canyon’s rim northwest of the lodge to North Rim Campground and provides fine views of a side canyon known as the Transept.
Cape Final:
About 2.5 miles before the end of road to Cape Royal is the Cape Final Trailhead. The 4-mile round-trip hike through woods is mostly flat and takes you to dan- dy overlooks.
Uncle Jim Trail:
This 5-mile round trip starts at the North Kaibab Trailhead and follows the Ken Patrick Trail for ¾ mile. At a well-marked junction, turn south on the Uncle Jim Trail, which loops through a forested area to Uncle Jim Point, looking into the Canyon.
A terrific 10-mile round trip through the forest to a remote viewpoint. Much of the first half skirts the rim
Widforss Trail:
of Transept Canyon. The latter half ducks into the woods before emerging at a splendid Canyon overlook.
Ken Patrick Trail:
This trail meanders 10 miles one way through forest from the North Kaibab Trailhead parking area to Point Imperial. You may want to arrange a shuttle or have someone pick you up at the other end. Some segments are sketchy, so bring a map and compass.