Overlooks & Points, Grand Canyon

1 more image

Descending to the river is hard, taking time (and money or... risks). Most people follow the rim using the several marked and protected points to a view over the wide scenery.

One interesting detail is to use the frequent changes in the weather to appreciate the game of colours: the bright contrasts of the different chemical layers, giving place to the dramatic softness of the shady slopes. And with luck, a surprising scene may be captured - see Sunset under the rain or The Power of Nature

4 more images

It's not easy to get there, it's not advised to drive when wet and the cars should have high ground clearance also when dry, especcialy last miles.
Better have also a good map and/or GPS, have plenty of water with you and fill the tank before you go. In case you need to stop for some reasons, it might take a long before someone pass by and you might need to keep the engine on to be cool or warm.
Always keep a slow speed and also beware at the cattle guards...
Make sure you have also a spare tire and all the tools needed to change a tyre, I had a flat tyre :(

last pic shows how is the road at end.
the cliff is nearly vertical, dropping almost straight down some 3,000 feet to the Colorado River.

To get there I drove BLM Road #109, which is the easiest route to Toroweap. It leaves Hwy 389 about seven miles west of Fredonia, there are 61 miles from the highway to the viewpoint. The way back I drove the Clayhole Route (BLM Road #5) which leaves Hwy 389 at Colorado City, I liked more beside it's along this road I had to change the tyre.
it could take also 2-3 hours to drive from the highway to the overlook or back.

2 more images

There is a whole string of view points, lookouts or as the Americans would call them outlooks, along the South Rim of the canyon in the territory belonging to the National Park. The Grand Canyon village is centrally located but the view is not a perfect one. Perfection comes with a rock formation that jets out into the canyon and gives the onlooker a view of almost 360 degrees. There are more than a couple of those as well but what makes Shoshone point like no other is the fact that it is not advertized by the park authorities. So the hordes are off and the few in the know enjoy this natural wonder almost privately.

Hermits Rest was built in 1914 by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter (for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway) and for owner Fred Harvey Company and is on the list of U.S. National Register of Historic Places and U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Located at the end of the West Rim Drive, (Hermit Rim Road) This historic retreat on the west rim offers some of the best views of the canyon, along with a selection of Native American crafts, t-shirts, books, postcards and a snack bar.

Open daily year-round, 9am to 5pm, additional open hours.

For more information:
Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Tusayan
www.grandcanyonchamber.com
or the National Park Service web page.

The National Park Service collects a $25 per vehicle entrance fee that is good for seven days on both the South and North Rims.

1 more image

For more information:
Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Tusayan
www.grandcanyonchamber.com
or the National Park Service web page.

The National Park Service collects a $25 per vehicle entrance fee that is good for seven days on both the South and North Rims.

For more information:
Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Tusayan
www.grandcanyonchamber.com
or the National Park Service web page.

The National Park Service collects a $25 per vehicle entrance fee that is good for seven days on both the South and North Rims.

2 more images

For more information:
Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Tusayan
www.grandcanyonchamber.com
or the National Park Service web page.

The National Park Service collects a $25 per vehicle entrance fee that is good for seven days on both the South and North Rims.

For more information:
Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Tusayan
www.grandcanyonchamber.com
or the National Park Service web page.

The National Park Service collects a $25 per vehicle entrance fee that is good for seven days on both the South and North Rims.

1 more image

Desert View is near the East entrance into the park and where the Historic Watch Tower is located and many other servcies such a book store, restrooms, market place, service station, campground, and the Tusayan Ruin Musuem. Not that all the other views are not spectacular, I do remember Desert View Point having the best vantage point of almost the whole canyon. We came in through the South entrance, but we exited throught the East entrance. South Rim is opened all year long. Be careful during winter months because it does snow here. North Rim is open seasonally.

For more information:
Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Tusayan
www.grandcanyonchamber.com
or the National Park Service web page.

The National Park Service collects a $25 per vehicle entrance fee that is good for seven days on both the South and North Rims.

2 more images

The only challenge really facing anyone who wants to do this short trail is making the time to get here; the North Rim is already remote, and driving to this trailhead involves a further 15 miles along a winding road. Many of the relatively few visitors to the North Rim never make it any further than the lodge at Bright Angel Point, and that’s a real shame, because Cape Royal offers some of the best views anywhere in the Grand Canyon National Park and for very little effort in walking.

The trail is just a third of a mile in length and is mostly flat. The most memorable and often-photographed view is of Angels Window, a natural arch in the Kaibab limestone which frames a little section of the Colorado River, 5,000 feet below and 6 miles distant. Those not worried by heights (or willing to overcome their fears for the reward of the sights beyond) can follow a short, railed side path which leads across the narrow neck of land on top of the Window to a great viewpoint right at the edge of the cliffs. But all along this path there are wonderful views to be had, including of the Canyon feature commonly known as Wotan's Throne (see photo 3). And although there are plenty of people around, there are not the crowds of the South Rim, so it's relatively easy to find your own little spot from which to gaze at them.

Do make the effort to come here - you won't regret it.