North Rim of the Grand Canyon

OK, harold, you are a hiker; and a very good one. You are, by far, the exception. And I applaud you.

In due respect, age does have a lot to do with it; not entirely, but a lot.

In my 40's and 50's I ran 18 marathons, 4-50K (nationally ranked at age 47), a 50 mile trail run and a half marathon twice to the summit of Pikes Peak up the Barr Trail - and hiked it once with Barbara. When living in Estes Park when I retired we hiked all over Rocky Mtn NP; mostly above 10,000 feet. We both still swim and hike a lot but not looking for 10 milers at elevation.

I did not mean to digress like that but just because you are exceptionally capable does not mean that 99.5% of the people are. Of course it CAN be done but by a limited number of people...I did not say it could not be done.

Oh yeh, the old 3 hour thing....have heard that before. That is for those driving from Williams or taking the hokey train from there for the most part. Those are the people who want to say they have BEEN to the G C; not SEEN the G C.

And truly seeing it means sunrises and sunsets; not hiking a trail down to Phantom Ranch. Hey, that is fine but not the colors and shadows one gets from the Rim(s) at dawn and dusk.

Hey, I was scheduled - when working / living in Minneapolis - to run Rim to Rim to Rim. I was fit and could do it - down from the S R, up to the top of the N R, get a slap on the butt and turn around and return.... about 20 hours continuous running the trails.

Sorry, folks, he got me going. :-) Kudos to him but not the norm.

Lauren wrote:
harold1946....in all due respect a very high percentage of people cannot hike 10 miles, particularly at altitude. Having lived at nearly 8000 feet for many years and thinking nothing of hiking 10-12 miles at 11,000 feet we would have been (note that is past tense) able to do it easily. Age has taken over.

But even younger, less experienced hikers could not do that.

And I am not saying there are NO views (of course there are); but a very limited viewing of the Grand Canyon.

The whole area is the Grand Canyon National Park. What is there that can not be seen ? :S
You may be older than I, age has very little to do with it. I am 69 with COPD and have hiked every trail several times including rim to rim last April with our 5 and 7 yer old grandsons. Hiked down, stayed over at Phantom Ranch, hiked out the next day, so dont say it cant be done. If one only goes to the popular vista points, they are missing the canyon experience.
The average time spent by visitors is three hours. That tells me that they only go from vista point to vista point, missing all the beautiful areas of the park.

harold1946....in all due respect a very high percentage of people cannot hike 10 miles, particularly at altitude. Having lived at nearly 8000 feet for many years and thinking nothing of hiking 10-12 miles at 11,000 feet we would have been (note that is past tense) able to do it easily. Age has taken over.

But even younger, less experienced hikers could not do that.

And I am not saying there are NO views (of course there are); but a very limited viewing of the Grand Canyon.

Try to get into the main N Rim CG near the lodge. Maybe be there early in the morning. Talk to the rangers. I've driven in from Jacob Lake but it's so nice to be right there near the lodge.

Lauren is right -- easier access to views on the South Rim without hiking. North Rim is cooler, greener, and quieter, and there are some views. This was taken on the Widforss Trail:

Last summer at Kaibab CampeRVillage (the FHU Jacob Lake CG) their voltage was running too low to even consider running our AC. Kept hitting 102 volts and tripping our surge protector. And they didn't seem too interested in fixing the problem.

Lauren wrote:
Not sure why the North Rim - views of the G C limited.

All one needs to do is get out and walk to see many views of the canyon on the north rim.
Ken Patrick Trail, 10 miles.
Widforss Trail, 10 miles.
Uncle Jim Trail, 5 miles.
Bright Angel Point Trail, 1/2 mile.

Not sure why the North Rim - views of the G C limited.

tuna fisher wrote:

harold1946 wrote:
In addition there are plenty of dry camping areas along forest service roads #22 and #462 accessable at DeMott park. Stop as the Ranger station in Jacob Lake to check on any restrictions. Both roads are well maintained gravel.
The DeMott campground has sites for rigs over 60ft.

Talked to them this morning before we leave and no restrictions as of today.

Safe travels and have fun.:)

PS; Many times at the north rim there are mule rides into the canyon available without reservations. There are also ranger guided hikes along the rim and presentations on the lodge patio overlooking the canyon.

harold1946 wrote:
In addition there are plenty of dry camping areas along forest service roads #22 and #462 accessable at DeMott park. Stop as the Ranger station in Jacob Lake to check on any restrictions. Both roads are well maintained gravel.
The DeMott campground has sites for rigs over 60ft.

Talked to them this morning before we leave and no restrictions as of today.