We were on the Kaibab Plateau as we approached the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
It is at a higher elevation than the South Rim and receives more precipitation so supports a more diverse forest, including aspen.
Bison are not native to the area and were brought in from Yellowstone in 1906. Charles Jesse "Buffalo" Jones thought he would cross them with cows. The experiment failed and the surviving animals were sold to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. A bison range was designated in 1950.
We saw much evidence of past fires. Lightning starts about 16 fires each year on the North Rim. The fires are managed now, rather than always extinguished as in the past. This allows the natural course of forest development.
The aspen were colorful as this abstract and overly processed photo shows.
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