mbwakali Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I'm thinking of taking a camping trip to the Grand Canyon and staying at the North Rim to avoid the crowds and large groups. Anything I should keep in mind by going this route? Photographic suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sattler123 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Most importantly remember that the North Rim will be closed until at least the end of April - maybe mid Mai, unless you want to strap on your skis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stemked Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Book early for camping! I too thought it was the road less traveled. Fortunately for us we were able to camp north in the Kaibab National Forest, but if you want to be in the park you better get your reservation in sooner than later. The views (I generally recall) were less sweeping than from the South side but no less spectacular. And bring lots of water for your hikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_cooper Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Don't let this happen to you - http://www.kpho.com/news/15324988/detail.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_lofquist Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 My wife and I stayed at a rather nice motel at Lee's Ferry, when we couldn't find room at the inn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdrose Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 People die all of the time at the Canyon. Remember it is a remote and very dry wilderness. Don't let that scare you. A good place to camp is at large outside of the park in the Kaibab National Forest. Public land owned by you and I. You should not have too much trouble finding a place to yourself. Remember, we have had almost record amounts of snow this month, so I would not expect the road to be open past Jacob's Lake until mid to late May. Keep checking though. Walhalla point and Cape Royale are not to be missed. Good luck, you are really going to have to think out of the box there...Grand Canyon is one of the most photographed natural areas in the world. Enjoy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stone Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 "Don't let this happen to you - http://www.kpho.com/news/15324988/detail.html" I don't know how many people know just what good advice that is. It can be a dangerous place, so folks really need to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbwakali Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 The plan is to go the very last few days of May, 28-31st or right around there. Should snow still be a problem? In regards to photography, would it be better to head to the south rim, or will it be just as fun on the north? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek_thornton1 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Hey Paul, I went to Grand Canyon last year, North Rim. It was great. Only problem we had, and it was a big one, can see the Colorado River. From the 10 or more overlooks we only saw the river from one, and it was very little. We never hit the south rim but others told us it was better for seeing river. We went first week of June and there was no snow at GC. We did see a little snow near Bryce Canyon so it is possible. You also want to be at the good spots in the morning and evening. During daylight it can get very hazy. derek-thornton.artistwebsites.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek_thornton1 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Excuse me, CAN'T see the River. derek-thornton.artistwebsites.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stone Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 The North rim is 1000' higher in elevation than the South rim. The South rim has far more visitors, and if accessed more easily. The South rim of the Grand Canyon is the most popular attraction in this country. Yes, it can have a lot of people at any given time, but, I've never had that interfere with seeing what there is to see. From the South Rim, it's a short hop to Desert View (Busy Bee), and in fact the South rim can be accessed through Busy Bee, if you're traveling South on US 89. Everyone has their own preferences, but the South rim is mine. Of course it doesn't hurt that I live much closer to the South rim. It also doesn't hurt that there are FAR more facilities at, or very near, the South rim, and that it is accessible year around, unlike the North rim. The view from the North rim is no better than the view from the South rim, just different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdrose Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I am fortunate. I live exactly the same distance, in road miles, from the North Rim and the South Rim. I prefer the North Rim for "atmosphere" and solitude, but prefer the South Rim, photographically, for the better views and because the sun is behind you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 C1998 summer, I drove to the North rim in time for sunset. Only to find out there wasn't any available lodging or camping. As I recall it was a short 120 miles drive back to the nearest motel. The sunset was spectacular though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_flood1 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 You've gotten good info here - the south rim is better for open vistas and views of the river from the rim, and the north rim is much less crowded, especially at a holiday like Memorial Day. The south rim has more amenities. Make reservations very, very soon. If you don't mind sunblock getting on your camera (I hate it), use a good sunblock. Even in May, while the temp on the rim might seem reasonable (because of altitude), the sun will burn you good. If sunblock isn't your thing, wear a hat with a good brim. Always carry water; rescue is hampered by the absence of cell phone service. I recommend going at least part way down into the canyon even if you don't want to make the trip to the river. Plan the climb back up to take twice as long as the walk down. And carry water! Getting below the rim changes the viewpoint and affords shots unlike all those iconic shots from the top. Have fun - the GC is a fabulous place. And carry water (did I mention that already?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbwakali Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 I'll be driving from Denver and planning on staying at the GC for around 3 nights. Anything else I should keep in mind? Anything I should look out for on the drive, or side trips to make? Thinking of also stopping by Antelope on the way there/back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stone Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Anyone planning to hike the Grand Canyon had better make sure that they are in the proper physical condition PRIOR to attempting it. Countless people have to be rescued each year because they underestimated what it actually takes to hike the canyon safely. This is not a casual walk in the park, it is a very serious, and physically demanding undertaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdrose Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Mr. Steinke, I am located in Page. Drop me an email when you are in town. Be happy to show you the Toadstool and Wahweap Towers. Yeah, if you get a chance, you should visit Antelope Canyon. It has become a bit of a cliche, but it is still worthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr_smith Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I was at the N Rim a couple years ago, and shot up and down the Widforss Trail. Took too much gear...... dropped my fav 100-200mm down a cliff. My best suggestion is to take a detailed map, plenty of water, less gear than you think you'll need, and either a lot of cards/film, or a portable hard drive to upload your shots. A GPS is handy for pinpointing your locations when logging your photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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