We weren’t sure what to expect when visiting the North Rim. We had heard this side of the Canyon was more rural and wild than the South Rim. It’s at a slightly higher elevation (9,000 ft. vs 7,000 ft.) so it was definitely much colder. We decided to take the scenic drive to the end (Cape Royal) and did the relatively short hike to Angel’s Window which gives you a spectacular panoramic view of the Canyon! Then we walked about half a mile further to Cape Royal which sits on the southernmost point of the Grand Canyon North Rim.
I was surprised at how many places along both the south and north rim it would be easy to fall off of! We looked it up and on average 12 people per year die at the Grand Canyon. Honestly I’m surprised the number is that low considering the number of people that visit each year (5.9 million). I see so many people walking dangerously close to the edge. It can definitely be deceiving because it’s not fenced off so you think it must be safe, but one slip or misstep and you’re gone! So you have to be very careful everywhere you walk.
Next, we jumped back in the truck and drove the long, winding road back to the visitor center and hiked the short .5 mile trail to Bright Angel Point. We were hoping to catch the sunset there, but it started to rain so we ran back to the truck. Our lungs were burning because of the steep up hill climb, but we managed to avoid the rain.
Along the way to Bright Angel Point we met a family that had done the Rim to Rim hike (North Rim to South Rim) via the Kiabab trail. It took them 16 hours! But it can be done in 7-9 hrs. I would like to attempt it one day. There is also a multi day raft tour along the Colorado River where you tent camp along the riverbed. I would really love to do that too! I bet it would be amazing to see the Canyon from the bottom up (vs top down which is how people usually see it). Gives us a reason to come back!