Day 6 (Sun May 15, 2011): Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim

Heading to the North Rim from the South Rim.

East Rim Drive runs from Grand Canyon Village in the west (what I refer to as the "South Rim," even though East Rim Drive is technically along the South Rim) to Desert View in the east. There are five overlooks that are part of East Rim Drive: 1) Yaki Point, 2) Grandview Point, 3) Moran Point, and 4) Lipan Point. Since Yaki Point is so near Grand Canyon Village, and the buses run to Yaki Point, I usually don't consider it an East Rim Drive overlook, but strictly speaking, it is.

Some signage and people at Grandview.

"Grand view" is an understatement, don't you think?

Another grand view at Grandview. If you notice the previous video, there's a rock outcropping directly in front of where I'm filming. That's where I stood to take this video. Not especially precarious, although watch that step, it's a lulu!

(No, it's not pronounced "moron.") Another fantastic vista along East Rim Drive.

Close-up of the Colorado River. Very windy.

Another "run-of-the-mill" breathtaking view into the Grand Canyon.

Views of the parking lot, the canopied sign, and the overlook itself.

Zoom-in on a helicopter, ostensibly giving a tour. Perhaps from Vegas?

I perform a 360-degree turn to show the parking lot, canopied sign, and the overlook.

Leaving Lipan Point. I note in the video that the East Rim Drive views are just as spectacular (if not more so) than the South Rim views at Grand Canyon Village.

Watchtower in the distance (further east) that is accessible from Desert View.

Views from Navajo Point.

Zoom-in to the Watchtower.

Ascending the three flights of stairs of the Watchtower. 'Scuse me!

View of the observation area of the Watchtower, as well as some of the views back towards Desert View. At 0:40, a view towards the roof of the Watchtower. Too bad you can't go up there.

View of the Canyon through the windows of the observation area of the Watchtower.

Descending the three flights of stairs of the Watchtower. Hurry it up!

After Desert View, cruising towards the North Rim in the RAV4 along one of the most beautiful routes in the country, US 89A.

My camera does have a wind filter, and perhaps I should have used it. I like hearing how windy it was, though.

Okay, I'm not acrophobic, but like most people there are certain things that can unnerve me. This Navajo Bridge did. I didn't even really know this cool bridge was going to be here. Obviously, I knew that the Colorado River had to be crossed, but I didn't know it would be so amazing.

I drove across the bridge coming from the southeast and noticed there was a visitor's center, so I decided to take a quick stop. I'm glad I did. I walked on the original "Navajo Bridge" that is pedestrian accessible (built in 1929); the new one (built 1994) is used for traffic. Even though I was a tad reticent, I enjoyed the view of the river below.

At the center of the bridge. 0:50, you can see the shadow (not "reflection") of the bridge. Dizzying panorama at the end.

I think this is a good place to bungee jump. (No thanks.)

View from a pulloff along the ascent towards Jacob Lake, the gateway to the North Rim.

Walking from the North Rim Campground to the Grand Canyon Lodge (food, basically) via the Transept Trail. Extremely windy and colder. The North Rim is 2000ft (approximately 600m) higher in elevation than the South Rim.

Near the Grand Canyon Lodge.

Hiking back via the Transept Trail from the Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Rim Campground.