Grand Canyon - North Rim - Jewel of the Deseret

Wow! All I can say is wow! – This is an amazingly beautiful area. We showed up at the north rim turn-off at around 4:30pm Arizona time and were wondering if we should just camp or if we should continue on to the rim which was another 100 miles or so. We decided to go on and got to the north rim of the Grand Canyon about an hour before sunset. We were so glad we did.

 

I’ve seen the south rim of the canyon a few times and enjoyed it, but the north rim is so different! Less people, more trees, amazing walks, it’s more like you are a part of the landscape instead of viewing it from the outside. Much more secluded and much more amazing. I’m now ranking the Grand Canyon as one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. And that last hour before sunset was perfect! The light in the canyon was SO beautiful.

 

There was a trail we followed out to a narrow jutting peak that was actually in the Canyon. You could look down for what felt like miles on either side. (We had firm grips of the Josh & Dan at all times.) Every step of the walk was amazing. The trees that grew up there seemed like the inspiration for the beautiful bonsai trees of Japan. There were overlooks framed by trees all along the trail. The twisting, growing, twirling branches and trunks seemed to know exactly how to grow so that hikers could sit in a picturesque, perfect spot, stopping-time for eternity. It was breath-taking and if you listened really close – You could hear the Colorado river miles away down in the canyon, secretly sculpting the next generation of beauty.