From our hotel in Jacob Lake it is about 65 km to the North Rim of
the Grand Canyon. Of course we wanted to be in time to see the sunrise,
so we had a very early start today. After sunrise and breakfast we then
had a half-day mule ride into the canyon. The afternoon we first hiked
for 3 hours the trail to Uncle Jim Point. After that we still had time
to drive to some other vista points (Point Imperial, Vista Encantada
and Angels Window). We ended the day with another spectacular sunset
at Cape Royal.
Just before sunrise we reach the canyon, which is still in the dark
while the sky is getting bright orange.
The first sunlight hits the highest rocks.
As the sun gets higher we get our first clear views of the Grand
Canyon.
We have booked a half-day mule ride into the canyon.
No experience is needed because an experienced "cowboy" is our guide,
and the mules know the way..
We follow the North Kaibab trail down into the canyon. This trail
is used by hikers to reach the river far below from where they can proceed
to the South Rim. But that is a two-days hike.
Along the trail we see rocks of different colors, white, pink and
red.
The forest on the slopes of Grand Canyon has a variety of trees.
It's autumn so many trees show bright yellow and red colors.
Our "cowboy" guide stops regularly to give explanations about the
canyon. We learn a lot of unexpected things: "This rock hanging over
the trail is called the Hanging Rock".
Some rocks are bright red.
Far below the trail continues. We are already planning to come back
one day to hike all the way down.
Beautiful views of the cliffs as our mules turn around and take us
back to the top.
After lunch we started on foot to walk the Uncle Jim Trail. This
is a hike through the forest toward the Uncle Jim Point with another
view of the canyon. The hike took about three hours (roundtrip).
The Uncle Jim Trail leads through a forest with white trees with
bright yellow leaves.
There is a lot to see along the trail.
The trail takes us to the Uncle Jim Point with new panoramas to enjoy.
From here we can also look back and down to the Kaibab trail where
we had our mule ride earlier today.
The canyon is 1800 meter deep, but we never see the bottom. The river
is always hidden between the steep walls of the canyon.
I love it here.
Every view is different.
After our hike we took the car to visit some other points with views
over the canyon. The road first took us through this burnt forest area.
Different views as we follow the Cape Royal Road over the Walhalla
Plateau.
Nature has here created a window in the rocks: Angels Window.
The sun is getting lower and the rocks show their best colors at
the end of the day.
No photo can express the beauty and capture the size of the canyon.
But sticking three photos together can help a bit.
At Cape Royal we wait for the sunset while the sun plays games with
the rock walls in the canyon.
The last sunlight.
The end of a Grand Day.
With the sun down it is quickly getting colder and we drive back
to the same hotel in Jacob Lake. Tomorrow will take us back to Las Vegas,
but on the way we will again spend some more time in the beautiful Zion
National Park. Goto Day 13.
