Exploring the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

What a great first day at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon!  So many awesome moments and pictures to share! 

We left home by 7am. We stopped half way to view the Colorado River as we crossed the Navajo Bridge. 

The Vermillion Cliffs were gorgeous!

As d as ion as we entered the park (a 4 hour drive from home), we took the scenic drive to Cape Royal for a picnic lunch and hike. The North Rum is so interesting as you drive through thick Aspen and Ponderosa pine forests at 8000-9000 ft and then boom,you pop out to a Canyon Overlook. And looking south you can see the mountains of Flagstaff and Williams and the plains in between.  So beautiful and different from the south rim. 

Here is the view of our picnic site at Cape Royal- Wotans Throne. 







You can see the San Francisco Peaks and Flagstaff in the distance as Zach eats his sandwich. 

Next up was a short hike to Cape Royal point and a view of Angels Window Arch. 



You can see the Colorado river through the arch. 

San Francisco Peaks with snow on the distance. 

Vishnu Temple



Wotans throne 



Another view of Vishnu Temple

Can you see the Colorado River rapids in the picture below? 

Can you spot the boys across the canyon from us? Derek and I are standing on the overlook on top of the arch looking over at them. 

I zoomed in. Can you see them? They are on the left of the center bush. You may be able to see Ashton’s bright green hat. 



Next up, we took a 4.5 mile hike to Cape Final. It was an out and back hike through the woods with periodic vista sites of the canyon. Gorgeous! 

After our hike, we drove up to Point Imperial, the highest elevation in the park.