I went the first time last year. The details I wasn't prepared for, oh boy.

Nobody I guess. Last year since my little group was content to stay at the South Rim, I winged it and setoff to the North Rim. Expected a long drive I didn't mind i find all that siena red pleasant, blasting my music, whatever. Still it takes forever. There are plenty of warnings that the North Rim is far more isolated than the South Rim which is practically Disneyland by comparison. Still I winged it meaning no lodging preparations at all, NOT advisable. I must have a diligent guardian angel, at least on that day. I must have found the last available comfy room WITH electricity up there just before the sunset, without having to head back down those 9,000ft. I will say it is one of those places where all the googling in the world doesn't give you all you need to know. Like ain't no way in the world would i drive any of that at night, South Rim no problem, North Rim hell to the no. Not a problem on a ole regular day, major problem trying to join a Star Party at night. It was a big ole nope i don't need that much trauma in my life. Not doing the Star Party this year on the NR, lodging reservations are too far from the Rim, new lesson, reservations at the Rim year round are a year in advanced no exceptions with or without electricity unless camping. Ain't seen that anywhere on Google. Anyway i loved being on that end but didn't get much time to explore last year to find paths and stuff, had to get back to my group.

I had a job there once

North Rim? Must have been a helluva commute?

The trip is to expand my astronomy/cosmology experience. Being at the Rim at night is the goal. But no i wasn't able to secure lodging at the lodge or any of the cabins near the rim. Couldn't this year either. I have to book a year in advanced for that I've learned. 2020 is goals.

However I did find lodging at a nice little lodge about a half hour drive away from the rim. Excellent Trout Almondine, fabulous sconces and cookies. I guess its obvious roughing it isn't on the itinerary.

Planning on spending more daylight hours there this time around just for the hell of it. So is there only one way in or out? I mostly saw trees the last time i went, I hadn't expected that, I was expecting miles of open desert terrain.

onlyforaminute said:

The trip is to expand my astronomy/cosmology experience. Being at the Rim at night is the goal. But no i wasn't able to secure lodging at the lodge or any of the cabins near the rim. Couldn't this year either. I have to book a year in advanced for that I've learned. 2020 is goals. However I did find lodging at a nice little lodge about a half hour drive away from the rim. Excellent Trout Almondine, fabulous sconces and cookies. I guess its obvious roughing it isn't on the itinerary. Planning on spending more daylight hours there this time around just for the hell of it. So is there only one way in or out? I mostly saw trees the last time i went, I hadn't expected that, I was expecting miles of open desert terrain.

Yep, one way in or out - unless you go down into the canyon, LOL.

But the drive to the North Rim is very, very beautiful.

RodeoSchro said:

Looks like tons of hiking then to be able to see the actual canyon.


Aw man the view coming down away from the canyon is beyond words, Totally breathtaking, the entire area is beyond words. Last year i accidentally ended up in Utah, big difference between the 2 landscapes.

It snowed at the Grand Canyon on Memorial Day
By Holly Yan and Judson Jones, CNN
Updated 7:49 PM EDT, Mon May 27, 2019

I'd of loved to see that.