Distant Storm Clouds And Forest Fires On The North Rim

After my visit to Petrified Forest National Park, in eastern Arizona, I drove west and then north to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, where I stayed for a couple of days. During that time, small forest fires broke out and distant thunderstorms showed up (it’s the summer monsoon season in the West and Southwest). I could see all of this from a small overlook perched just below the Grand Canyon Lodge.

I happened to overhear a visitor mention that he really liked the North Rim better than the South Rim because they could do so much more on the North Rim. I thought about that for a moment, and decided that he was correct. Granted, there are more stoppable view areas and more services and infrastructure at the South Rim. This, of course, means more people and more tour buses. However, for do-able trails that don’t require hiking waaaaay down into the canyon and then waaaay back up, I’d say the North Rim wins. In terms of beauty and great photography, both areas tie for that position, I think.

The North Rim is 1,000 feet higher in elevation than the South Rim, and it’s far more forested, sitting on the Kaibab Plateau. If you visit, then be on the lookout for a small bison herd that comes through the park along Hwy 67, and see if you can spot the beautiful and unusual Kaibab squirrel. I was lucky enough to see both, but only lucky enough to photograph the bison herd.