This morning we entered the lottery to hike The Wave in Utah (google it in images—absolutely amazing), but didn’t get one of the TEN slots. Tom had tried the online lottery four months ago and obviously didn’t win that one either.  Only 20 hikers per day are allowed to go there.

Anyway, we decided to drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon since it was only 80 mikes away. WOW!!!! We think it’s so much prettier than the south rim and we didn’t even have a clear day. It was 56 when we got there and 70 when we left. It is also a lot less crowded on the North Rim.  

After we arrived and stopped for our obligatory picture at the park sign, we walked the paved .5 mile trail to Bright Angel Point.  The trail is paved, but very steep in places, both coming and going with some steep drop-offs on both sides, but there is a spectacular view from there.

TM Grand Canyon

Bright Angel Point

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Here is the view of  Bright Angel Point from the Rim.
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After completing the Bright Angel Point Trail we hiked up to the lodge and restaurant where we celebrated our 31st anniversary with a mediocre meal at lunch (but a great view and a great day).IMG 0715

North Rim Drive

After lunch we drove Cape Royal Road all the way to the end, stopping at Point Imperial for a lovely hike along the rim and some beautiful vistas.  Point Imperial is the highest point in the part at 8,803 feet and the biggest drop to the canyon floor. The Colorado River is 5,000 feet below.  We also stopped at all the points circled above in the National Park Service’s map.

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View of Mt. Hayden from Point Imperial.

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Cape Royal provides a panorama up, down, and across the canyon.  We could see the Colorado River through the natural arch of Angels Window, but not well enough to get a good picture.

It was a great way to celebrate our anniversary.  Have road will travel…..