GRAND CANYON Circular of General Information 1936

NORTH RIM

From the North Rim, which is approximately 1,200 feet higher than the South Rim, one looks down upon the vast temples which form the background of the panorama from the opposite side. While the long series of buttes limit the view from Bright Angel Point to the east and west, the visitor to the North Rim experiences a feeling of closeness to the Canyon which is not existent elsewhere. Across to the south one sees the South Rim rise like a great streaked flat wall, and beyond that, miles away, the dim blue San Francisco Peaks, some 6,000 feet above the level tableland.

A trip to Cape Royal, 27 miles east of Bright Angel Point, is recommended for a sight of the Colorado River. From there also may be obtained an extensive view of the Canyon itself and the surrounding country.

North Rim of Grand Canyon.
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HOW TO REACH THE NORTH RIM

By Automobile.—The approach to the North Rim is made through some 35 miles of the beautiful Kaibab Forest from Jacob Lake to the Grand Canyon National Park boundary where a paved road extends to the Rim near Bright Angel Point.

Automobile roads to the North Rim are uniformly good during the summer season, but they should not be attempted before May 15 or later than October 15. From Cedar City, on United States Highway No. 91, there is a splendid road as far as Zion National Park. From Zion a new road, remarkable for its scenic and engineering features, extends via Pine Creek to Mount Carmel. This road, carved from the walls of Zion Canyon, passes through more than a mile of tunnels and offers spectacular views from its many galleries. At Mount Carmel connection is made with the main highway (U S 89) extending northward toward Bryce Canyon National Park and southward, via Kanab and Fredonia, to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and to the Navajo Bridge, to Cameron and the South Rim. A good road leads from Cedar City over Cedar Mountain, via Cedar Breaks, to Cedar Junction, from which point the road forks, the branch to the north leading to Bryce Canyon National Park (41 miles distant) and the south branch to the North Rim of Grand Canyon (125 miles), via Kanab, Utah, and Fredonia, Ariz. Supplies and hotel and garage facilities are obtainable at Cedar City, Kanab, and Fredonia, as well as at a number of small southern Utah towns, and Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, and the North Rim of Grand Canyon.

By Railroad.—The Union Pacific System delivers passengers for the North Rim at Cedar City, Utah, which is approximately 190 miles from the Grand Canyon. From this point, the trip to the park is made in comfortable busses, visiting en route, Cedar Canyon, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Prismatic Plains, and the Kaibab National Forest. On the return trip from Grand Canyon to Cedar City, Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and Zion National Park may be enjoyed.

If visitors desire, they can make the trip from the north, take in all these features, cross the Grand Canyon, and continue their journey on the Santa Fe Railway. This may also be reversed, entering the park at the South Rim, via the Santa Fe, crossing the Canyon to the North Rim, thence continuing on Utah Parks Co. busses to Cedar City, where connection is made with the Union Pacific System.

By Airplane.—Located about 18 miles from the North Rim at V. T. Ranch, the Grand Canyon Airlines, Inc., has laid out an adequate landing field, and throughout the summer season, from June to October, its air liners convey passengers to that point. By means of this fast service, connecting directly with the airport on the South Rim, which, through its facilities makes regularly scheduled connections with the Transcontinental Western Airways at Winslow, Ariz., travelers with but a limited time are afforded ample opportunity to visit the North Rim, fly over the Canyon, and view the spectacular scenery of the park from that vantage point.

Heavy forests of spruce, quaking aspen, and white fir on the North Rim.

ROADS AND TRAILS

For the North Rim visitor two highly scenic drives are readily accessible. One of these is over a paved road to Point Imperial and Cape Royal to the east; the other is a woodland drive west to Point Sublime. The Point Imperial-Cape Royal Road connects with the park entrance road a few miles from Bright Angel Point. Point Imperial, which is 8 miles from this junction, is normally the first stop and is one that should not be missed. Traveling through a verdant forest, the road winds upward most of the way to this point, which is the highest along the North Rim, 8,801 feet. Here a vast panorama opens up to the north over Saddle Mountain into Houserock Valley and to the Vermilion Cliffs; east across the wide expanse of the Marble Platform, the Painted Desert, and the Hopi and Navajo Indian Reservations; south to the San Francisco Peaks; and far down into the valley of Nankoweap Creek. Next in line along the Cape Royal drive are the excellent vistas at Farview, Vista Encantada, and Cape Royal. The last-named point is considered by many to afford the finest view of the Canyon of any place on the North Rim. The total distance along this drive is 27-1/2 miles each way, and it requires about 4 hours for the round trip.

Another extremely interesting trip, and one of the most beautiful in the park, is the woodland drive to Point Sublime. The road leaves the entrance highway about 10 miles from Bright Angel Point and extends through 16 miles of beautiful forest, lush meadows, and interesting vistas to a point which overlooks a large section of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.

The only maintained trail into the Canyon from the North Rim is the cross-canyon Kaibab Trail. The head of the trail is located at the park entrance road, 2 miles back from Bright Angel Point.

This portion of the Kaibab Trail leads down through Roaring Springs Canyon to Bright Angel Creek, following on down Bright Angel Creek to the Colorado River. It is 13-1/2 miles from the head of the trail to the Colorado River and, due to the arduous task of returning to the North Rim, involving a climb of 5,850 feet, any person planning to make this trip on foot should consult a ranger in advance and should carry a supply of food and water. Overnight accommodations and meals may be had at Phantom Ranch, located near the Colorado River, on Bright Angel Creek. Reservations should be made in advance, as all supplies have to be packed to this camp on muleback and are, therefore, limited and held to a minimum.

An interesting 10-1/2-mile round trip over the Kaibab Trail to Roaring Springs, a beautiful series of cascades, forms a delightful 1-day trail journey.

Mules may be hired for these trips by making arrangements at Grand Canyon Lodge.

SEASONS

Because of the heavy winter snows, accommodations on the North Rim are available only from May 30 to October 1. This section is open to travel, however, until approximately October 15, when the road is blocked by snow. After October 1, and as long as weather conditions permit, the V. T. Ranch, 18 miles from the North Rim on the main entrance road, provides accommodations, meals, and other facilities.

During the open season ideal weather prevails and one is afforded opportunity to see the Canyon in many different moods during a short stay. June and early July is the dry season. In late July and August thundershowers are frequent but of short duration, and they leave the air cool and crisp. These rains keep the vegetation green and the colors of the Canyon formations bright and clear, but they seldom interfere with the enjoyment of trips.

FREE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

During the summer season trained Government rangers and naturalists are on duty to inform visitors concerning various points of interest.

An auto caravan is conducted daily over a paved road to Point Imperial and Cape Royal, a distance of 27-1/2 miles, which requires approximately 4 hours for the round trip. A ranger naturalist accompanies the party, pointing out and explaining features of interest along the way.

Each morning a naturalist-guided nature walk is conducted along one of the trails on Bright Angel Point. Although not strenuous, it is of sufficient length to allow many interesting features of the area to be seen and discussed. It starts at Grand Canyon Lodge.

Camp-fire talks on the natural history and geology of the region are given free every evening at the public camp grounds by naturalists of the National Park Service.

Visitors are advised to inquire locally regarding the complete ranger naturalist program and schedule.

Angels Window.

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

Every evening at 8:30 in the Utah Parks Co.'s central lodge a program consisting, of musical numbers, skits, etc., is given by the employees at the hotel. During this program a short informational talk is given by a member of the park naturalist staff on some natural feature of Grand Canyon National Park or the surrounding country. After the program, dancing is enjoyed every evening, except Sunday, with music furnished by an orchestra of college boys. No admission to this program and dance is charged.

ACCOMMODATIONS

It should be borne in mind that accommodations on the North Rim are available only from May 30 to October 1. All commercial services are operated by the Utah Parks Co., except the trips by muleback into the Canyon, which are under the management of Fred Harvey.

Grand Canyon Lodge.—This is the main North Rim hotel unit. Situated as it is on Bright Angel Point, a long arm extending out into the Grand Canyon, between two side canyons known as Bright Angel Creek Canyon and The Transept, it commands superb scenic views. Although the original building was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1932, surrounding sleeping cabins were not damaged, nor has this made any interruption in service. Pending reconstruction of the main building, office, lounge, entertainment, curio store service, et cetera, are provided in a commodious temporary structure. Meals are served in a large rustic building only a few hundred feet north of the main unit, with free bus service provided for guests between dining room and lounge building. Many of the sleeping cabins are of the de luxe type, with bath, fireplace, and porch. The comfortable standard cabins of two rooms each are log structures, attractive and convenient.

Auto-Camp Cabins and Cafeteria.—One mile north of the main lodge, there is a modern auto camp consisting of a main building in which cafeteria service is provided, with meals at reasonable rates, and where groceries, meats, fresh milk, and vegetables, and campers' supplies of all kinds are obtainable. Surrounding this are a number of modern housekeeping cabins. The rates for these, which are reasonable and vary with the type and class of cabin, include fuel, water, and electric lights. Toilet conveniences are readily accessible. Bath and laundry facilities are also available. A moderate additional charge is made for equipping these housekeeping cabins with blankets and bed linen.

Lodges on the North Rim.

PUBLIC CAMP GROUNDS

Camp grounds are maintained by the National Park Service at Bright Angel Point and Neil Springs. Motorists bringing their own equipment may make free use of these grounds, which are equipped with cooking fireplaces, tables, benches, water and sanitary facilities. Water is obtained with difficulty in this region, and visitors are requested to conserve it as much as possible. Camping is restricted to established grounds. Camping is usually comfortable from June 1 to October 1 on the North Rim.

Picnic areas and camp grounds are also available at Cape Royal and Point Sublime, with sanitary facilities, fireplaces, tables, and wood, but no water, which must be carried to these areas by the campers.

Picnic grounds, with tables, wood, water, and fireplaces, are established at Cliff Springs, one-half mile walk from the Cape Royal Road.

BUS, SADDLE, AND AIRPLANE TRIPS

Auto-bus Trips.—Regularly scheduled trips by motor bus are made from Grand Canyon Lodge over a paved road to Point Imperial and Cape Royal with stops at Fairview, Vista Encantada, and other points of interest along the Canyon rim. Trips are also available to Point Sublime. Special trips may be arranged to the surrounding Indian country or elsewhere as desired. Automobiles may also be chartered.

Saddle-Horse Trips.—Horseback riding is particularly enjoyable on the North Rim, where many miles of bridlepaths have been constructed by the National Park Service through the dense forests of pine, fir, and spruce.

One-day escorted trips are made to Point Imperial or Point McKinnon.

Shorter trips, with or without guides, may be made to Uncle Jim Point, and special trips by saddle horse may be made as desired.

Canyon Trail Trips.—Trail trips into the Canyon by muleback are under the management of Fred Harvey. A popular 1-day trip is that down the Kaibab Trail to Roaring Springs and Bright Angel Creek. Overnight trips are also made to Phantom Ranch or to the South Rim.

Airplane Trips.—Arrangements may be made at the lodge for scenic flights over the Canyon, leaving from the airport at V. T. Ranch, about 18 miles from the North Rim headquarters. These flights are under the management of the Grand Canyon Airlines, Inc.

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

Postal and Telegraph.—A post office is maintained from June 1 to October 1. The address is Kaibab Forest, Ariz. A Western Union office is open during the season, and the telegraphic address is North Rim, Grand Canyon, Ariz.

Telephone.—There is telephone connection between Grand Canyon Lodge and South Rim headquarters, also to various points throughout the park and to all of the de luxe sleeping cabins. Local and long-distance connections are made through the switchboard located in the office of the main lodge. Long-distance communication may be had with any point served by commercial telephone lines.

Medical.—An experienced doctor and nurse are on duty at the Grand Canyon Lodge throughout the season.

Automobile Supplies.—A first-class garage is maintained by the Utah Parks Co. where auto storage, repairs, tires, batteries, gasoline, oils, etc., are available.

General Supplies.—At the cafeteria building in the camp ground groceries, meats, milk, eggs, and general campers' supplies are for sale. Indian handicraft, including Indian baskets, Navajo rugs and jewelry, may also be obtained.

Photographs and Souvenirs.—Adjacent to the recreation room and office in the main lodge is a curio store which carries a full line of Indian rugs, baskets, pottery, and jewelry, as well as travelers' needs, films, photographs, post cards, magazines, etc. Soda-fountain service is also available. In this shop a Navajo silversmith is engaged throughout the summer making jewelry of native Indian design.

Kodak Finishing.—Films are developed and finished promptly. Orders may be left with the attendant in the curio shop in the main lodge building or at the cafeteria. Films left by 8 p. m. will be developed and printed ready for delivery by 7 o'clock the following morning.

Clouds over the Grand Canyon as seen from Bright Angel Point on North Rim.