Grand Canyon: North Rim and South Rim

What’s a trip out west without a stop at the Grand Canyon?  That’s like cookies without milk, Fred without Wilma, or a movie without popcorn.  So we made sure that we zigged on over to Arizona for a look at America’s most famous canyon.

You’ll remember from our last post that we visited North Rim National Park in between visits to Zion National Park.  It was cold and snowy, but we had a wonderful morning hiking out to Bright Angel Point.  As it happens, we were the only visitors to the park that morning; which made the canyon seem even larger and even more awe inspiring. 

  

 

When we arrived, our car thermostat read –12 degrees.  Needless to say, we bundled up like a couple of kids getting ready for a long day of building snowmen and igloos.  There were a lot of layers, but you bet your bottom dollar we stayed toasty as we traipsed through the snow!

 

The trees were covered with icicles in perfect Christmas tree fashion.

Ut-oh!  No sitting down on that bench!

 

The trail, usually quite friendly on sunnier day, leads to a series of vantage points at which to absorb the features of the North Rim.

 

 

The day we visited the trail was icy and just a little treacherous. One more slid down the hill than walking down it.  In fact, Bilbo even busted his little hobbit tush. 

 

 

I guess he was head-over-heels for these awesome views!

   

    

At the Visitor Center, a volunteer told us about a special little critter that lives only at the North Rim, the Kaibab Squirrel.  We didn’t expect to see any on such a snowy day, but caught a glimpse of one of the little guys scurrying across the yard.  Just like with my coveted big horned sheep, we weren’t quick enough with the camera. We did get a shot of the stuffed Kaibab in the Visitor Center. 

Even with our return to Zion National Park, the next morning found us on our way to the South Rim, which makes up Grand Canyon National Park.  Along the way we made a quick pit stop outside of the Glen Canyon Recreation Area, with Lake Powell as its center piece.  Bella even got out of her cubby to take a peek.

 

 

After we found a hotel for the kitties—and Fyodor liked this one much better—we made it out to the South Rim.  The Grand Canyon doesn’t need much introduction, so I’ll just let you look at these pictures from our day on the Rim Trail.

 

 

 

 

One thing we really appreciated about the Grand Canyon was the shuttle bus service that runs throughout the park.  It is extremely helpful for folks like us who only have a day and a half to explore. The next morning we hopped on the shuttle bus to Yaki Point for a sensational sunrise! 

 

 

By that time we were all tired and ready to start our journey home.  So we pack up the kitties, gave them a peace offering of tuna, and typed West Virginia into the GPS.

Of course, three days of travel still laid ahead of us.  Next time, we’ll tell you about what we saw along the way!