Dora Liu

I’ve been to the Grand Canyon a few times, but it was always to the popular South Rim. I mean, why not? The South Rim is easy to get to from Williams or Flagstaff, there are lots of choices of hotels in the Park or nearby, and the shuttle service makes getting around just so easy. This time, I was looking for a vacation destination that was a National Park, had miles of hiking trails, and was not so crowded because we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Grand Canyon North Rim checked all of the boxes. It was time for me to explore the other side of the Grand Canyon. Road trip! 

My husband and I headed out from LA to the North Rim. The drive would have been over 8 hours.  Some short stops along the way make the long drive manageable. Also, arriving in a remote destination like the Grand Canyon late in the evening in the dark is not ideal. The first stop was a quick lunch with our friends in glitzy Las Vegas. The second stop was in St. George, UT, for a warm meal, hot shower, and a good night’s sleep. Then it’s Grand Canyon, here we come! 

The first hike we did and also recommend was the Uncle Jim Trail. At just over 5 miles round trip, this trail along the rim was a good introduction to the views, colors, flora, and fauna that was to come in the next few days of my trip. I always enjoy little added bonuses like a wildlife sighting or an interesting find. A horned lizard crossed my path and my husband found some fossils of a sponge and shell. Colorful views, wildlife sighting and a fossil find – that’s a good hike. 

A trip to the National Park is not complete without a Ranger talk. Even better than a Ranger talk is a Ranger-led hike. The Making “Scents” of the Grand Canyon hike used our senses to experience nature along the Transept Trail. Ranger Hanna led a group of about a dozen visitors covering about 2 miles listening, touching, smelling, and obviously seeing the Grand Canyon. We heard the songs of the morning birds. We touched the spiky and soft needles of the trees. We smelled the sweetness of the Ponderosa Pine tree. We saw the colorful formations of the Grand Canyon. We were all in touch with nature at the end of the Ranger hike. 

The trails to Cape Royal and Angel’s Window were another chance to see the formations. Cape Royal’s temple formations seemed so close I felt like I could just reach out and touch them. Angel’s Window is a natural wonder. How did that hole in the rock wall get there? On the drive to the Cape Royal parking lot, remember to stop by the Walhalla Overlook and the Walhalla Glades Pueblo ruins. The area was occupied by prehistoric Indians during the summer months. The high elevation gave them an escape from the heat of their winter home down in the valley at the Unkar Creek. Can you imagine making the 2–day trek every summer and winter? I’m impressed! 

The final day was spent on the North Kaibab Trail.  Many hikers travel this route to or from the bottom of the canyon on a Rim to Rim hike. A vault toilet and a water fountain help you on your long journey. We turned around at the Red Wall Bridge which is at about 2.6 miles. Hiking into the canyon, I got a close up view of the layers of the rock wall. As I descended into the canyon, the colors changed from white rocks to red as I passed to a different layer. This side of the Grand Canyon is very green. Plants and trees are happily growing on this wetter side of the Grand Canyon. A small flow from a spring is visible at the Red Wall Bridge. 

Three days of hiking the North Rim was epic. If you’re planning a trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, keep in mind a few things. This part of the Park is closed during the winter. I went in August which is monsoon season. The North Rim is at 8,000 feet. If you’re from sea level like me, you’ll need to acclimate. Finally, like in many places, the concessionaires were short staffed which means you may experience long waits. Alternatively, be ready to execute your Plan B.