Arizona: Grand Canyon North Rim Sunrise

We were out early to catch the dawn light on the Canyon. The South Rim visitor center and lodge can be seen on the Canyon edge, about the middle of the horizon.

This was the dawn view to the south east.

It didn't take long for the color to wash out after the sun rose.

Arizona: Grand Canyon North Rim, Sunset

Sunset from the lodge at the North Rim.

Arizona: Grand Canyon North Rim, Bright Angel Point

Bright Angel Point, at lower left, is the most visited viewpoint at the North Rim.

The path to this viewpoint begins at the lodge and is less than half a mile. It is at 8,100 feet, however, and steep in places, so we did have to stop for a breath now and then.

Part of the allure of the North Rim is the closeness of the geological features.

Arizona: Grand Canyon North Rim, Cape Royal

Cape Royal is the most southerly viewpoint on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This first view is toward the south, showing a couple of the buttes in the distance, towards Flagstaff.

This second view is toward the east, with the Painted Desert in the distance.

Arizona: Grand Canyon North Rim, Angels Window

Angels Window is a natural arch. Do you see the people on the top? It was a short walk from the parking lot near Cape Royal and the views from the top were amazing.

Arizona: Grand Canyon North Rim, Point Imperial

Our first stop at the North Rim was Point Imperial. It is the highest point on the Canyon rims at 8,803 feet.

It is just north of here that the narrow Marble Canyon broadens to become the Grand Canyon.

Part of the draw of the North Rim is the closeness of geological features.

Arizona: Kaibab Plateau

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. 

Arizona: Grand Canyon Desert View Drive

We left the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and headed east along Desert View Drive.

We stopped at the various view points along the way.

The Desert View Visitor Center is at the east end of the park.

The Desert View Watchtower (1932) was designed by Mary Colter, architect for the Santa Fe Railroad. We climbed the 85 steps to the observation deck for the view.

We finally had a good view of the Colorado River to the north. We'd meet it again later in the day on our way to the North Rim.

Arizona: Grand Canyon South Rim Sunrise

We were up early the next morning to catch the dawn light on the Canyon.

The sun came into view at 6:21 am.

We watched as the sun's rays hit the Canyon walls.

The morning light accented some of the colorful cliffs.

It wasn't long, though, before the haze and the rising sun began to wash out the distinctive colors.

Arizona: Grand Canyon South Rim Twilight

We stayed at the point for a while after the sun had set.

During twilight the colors often change or are highlighted in different ways.

A photographer never wants to leave too early, missing that last shot.

Arizona: Grand Canyon Sunset Tree

One last photo of the sunset at the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

Sometimes photographers try a vertical frame instead of a horizontal one. Which do you like best?

Arizona: Grand Canyon South Rim Sunset

We walked along the Trail of Time to Yavapai Point to catch the sunset.

Arizona: Grand Canyon, Hopi Point

My sister and I boarded the shuttle bus that runs along the rim to the west.

We got off at Powell Point and walked along the rim to Hopi Point. 

The views were amazing where ever I looked.

Arizona: Grand Canyon, Mather Point

My first views of the Grand Canyon were from Mather Point on the south rim.

I realized I would never be able to capture the expanse in photos.

But I had a fun time trying! See that mule train in the photo below? (It is at the lower right third.)

We decided this area would be a good place to catch the sunset later in the day.