Grand Canyon National Park
North Rim Sights to See
The extraordinary beauty of the Grand Canyon stirred poetic expression in the Paiutes, who called the North Rim plateau Kaibab, or "Mountain Lying Down." They also named other plateaus of the North Rim Kanab, meaning "Willow," Uinkaret, or "Place of Pines" and Shivwits, meaning "Whitish Earth" or "Coyote Springs." The four plateaus run along the North Rim offering a breathtaking array of sights, a range of geologic features and miles of rugged territory to explore.
Kaibab, the easternmost plateau, is where Grand Canyon Lodge and major trailheads are located. If time allows, explore the other, more remote plateaus of the North Rim as well. Roads are unimproved with high- clearance vehicles recommended. To the west is the Kanab Plateau with the spectacular Kanab Canyon. Uinkaret Plateau is home to Toroweap Point where, over the past 1.2 million years, molten rock poured over the rim and coated the canyon walls with lava. Hurricane Cliffs mark the beginning of the fourth plateau, the Shivwits.
To experience the wonders of the North Rim, you might begin at Bright Angel Point, a short walk on a paved trail from Grand Canyon Lodge, which provides a spectacular view of the canyon. From this point, you can see and hear Roaring Springs more than 3,000 feet below the rim. It is the sole source of drinking water for both the North and South rims. Roaring Springs begins as snow-melt on the Kaibab Plateau, that gushes out of the rocky canyon wall and is then partially captured and pumped back up to the rims.
From Bright Angel Point there are also good views of Bright Angel, Transept and Roaring Springs side canyons. The South Rim and the San Francisco Peaks are in the distance.
Two driving trips offer spectacular views. Point Imperial, which is 11 miles from Grand Canyon Lodge, is the highest point on either rim. You can see Mount Hayden, Saddle Mountain and a beautiful view of eastern Grand Canyon National Park. Cape Royal, 14 miles from the junction of the Point Imperial and Cape Royal roads, is the departure point for a self-guiding trail that winds its way to Angels Window Overlook, which provides stunning vistas of the canyon and the Colorado River.
You can descend into the canyon by hiking down the North Kaibab Trail, the only maintained trans-canyon trail. It can be a lei-surely stroll for a few hundred yards, a strenuous 9.4-mile round-trip hike to Roaring Springs, or a two- to three-day round-trip trek to Bright Angel Campground, 14 miles below the North Rim at the canyon's bottom. The trail may not be open until mid-May or June. Over-night hiking permits are required.
Grand Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
Looking for Labor Day Park Lodging? It's Not Too Late
August 21, 2008 - 10:11am
With Labor Day a week away, you may think you have a better chance of making a hole in one blindfolded than getting space at a campground or a park lodge for the holiday. But it's not quite that grim.
August 21, 2008 - 10:11am
With Labor Day a week away, you may think you have a better chance of making a hole in one blindfolded than getting space at a campground or a park lodge for the holiday. But it's not quite that grim.
