Driving approx. 2.5 hours, 123 miles. Walking up to 3 miles total throughout the day. Afternoon hike is about 1.5 miles; 1 hour; both paved and unpaved trails; about 2 hours; elevation change of roughly 150 feet; unpaved trail; some stairs near lodge; maximum elevation of approx. 8,800 feet.
Hotel buffet.
Get ready for another fun and adventurous day! We start our day with an excursion to Horseshoe Bend Overlook (4 mile drive from our hotel). This iconic 1.5 mile round-trip hike follows an easy dirt path over a small hill to the edge of a 1,000-foot cliff looking down on an amazing 270° bend in the Colorado River. In fact, you were at the bottom of this very cliff, rafting through Horseshoe Bend on the river, just the day before! Photos from this world famous view are one of a kind. Following our early morning hike to Horseshoe Bend, we will load the bus and depart for the North Rim of Grand Canyon. Along the journey, we will once again cross Navajo Bridge over Marble Canyon and the Colorado River, then travel along the base of the colorful Vermilion Cliffs before rising up into the cool, verdant forests of the Kaibab Plateau. After a pit stop at the historic Jacob Lake Lodge to stretch our legs, we will continue our drive across the Kaibab Plateau through forests of Ponderosa pine, spruce, fir, and quaking aspen, as well as many open grassy meadows—more reminiscent of Montana than Arizona. As we travel, we will climb to over 9,000 feet in elevation and may see the unique Kaibab squirrel, wild turkey, deer, and bison.
Depending on timing, we'll enjoy sack lunches at either Jacob Lake or after our arrival at the North Rim.
After lunch, we will set out for a short hike on the Transept Trail led by our Group Leader naturalist. As we travel along the rim, we’ll enjoy views down into and across Grand Canyon, marveling at the many differences between it and the South Rim. We’ll even see remnants of where early peoples lived on the rim and talk about their way of life. Alternatively, those who would rather not hike may wish to attend a ranger program or enjoy a relaxing afternoon taking in the views of the canyon from the veranda at Grand Canyon Lodge. After our hike along the rim, we have one more highlight before checking into our rooms! Easily reached via a half mile paved walkway, Bright Angel Point has spur paths where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Bright Angel Canyon far below, various peaks and buttes of the North Rim, the South Rim 10 miles across the canyon, and the San Francisco Peaks far to the south. This is an awe-inspiring viewpoint of the North Rim and not to be missed. We will then check into our historic cabins in the late afternoon.
Plated meals at Grand Canyon Lodge.
After dinner, you may wish to attend a presentation given by a National Park Service Ranger in the lodge auditorium (dependent on park scheduling - may not always be available). The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. With an adult, you may wish to visit some of the amazing viewpoints below the lodge. If the sky is clear, you may want to look at the stars and planets from the lodge veranda after darkness falls. Be sure to have a flashlight, as the night skies at Grand Canyon are very dark. Can you see the Milky Way? Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
