Highway 67 to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed during the winter months and had just reopened yesterday. It was a pretty long drive but Sam could go along so there was no guilt about leaving him for the day. Also, the scenery along Highway 89A, the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, made the drive a pleasure.
Small abodes were built under and around the boulders.
This one had two rooms and a fireplace, it was just missing its roof.
The remnants of the snow were evident as we entered the park. I bet this would be amazing on snow skis in the middle of winter.
It was cool at 8,238 feet - fortunately, Joani remembered to bring jackets so we stayed warm on our hike out the Bright Angel Point Trail. The views were incredible!
I so wanted to take this rock home with me! No can do in a National Park. Oh well, the one that got away!
Humphrey's Peak, some 70 miles south, overlooking Flagstaff was sparkling in the distance.
North Rim's Grand Canyon Lodge rooms are only $148 per night...
...but anyone can enjoy the view, lounging in an Adirondack chair on the terrace.
Cabins start at $163, but if you want a view of the rim from your porch, that jumps to $191 for a two bedroom. Plan on booking the cabins at least a year in advance (or use my method of checking often for a cancellation.)
As you look east from Point Imperial, you are looking from the highest viewpoint in the park, at 8,803 feet.
On the way home, the afternoon sun cast a different glow on the Vermilion Cliffs. A nice wide shoulder and limited traffic allowed us to stop every so often to record the rich palette of color.
The southernmost part of the Glen Canyon NRA was the Lee's Ferry area in Marble Canyon. Here we could walk across the canyon on the Navajo Bridge. We felt a little exposed on the bridge with the gusty winds blowing us around. I was surprised to see Condors! Old number 17 was hunkered down against the wind. We never saw him fly - maybe it was siesta time after a full morning of scavenging.
Can you see the condor perched in the outcropping? I certainly missed it. I can't believe David spotted him.
In 1982 there were only 22 California Condors left in the world.
In 1996, after 14 years of a captive breeding program that ramped up in 1987, California Condors were released on the Vermillion Cliffs. Today there are 463 in captivity or being tracked, but who knows how many are flying under the radar.
A lot of years separate the two bridges (old 1929 - new 1995) but they look pretty much identical. Love the cliffs in the background. I wonder if, as a National Monument, the Vermilion Cliffs will ever have their own visitors center, at least I was able to collect a stamp in my National Parks Passport book.
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