North Rim of the Grand Canyon, 10/12-13/03

From Page we drove to Locust Point on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We had an incredible campsite right on the rim. We were joined there by Doug Eastcott, from Canmore, BC., and Johna Klebenov, from Boston. We did not find the riding on the Rainbow Rim trail terribly exciting. The trail was loose and rocky, with lots of steep little climbs (at 8000 feet), and only infrequent views. But when we did get the views, they were phenomenal. I have never really liked the Grand Canyon. In the tourist areas, it is too much like Disneyland. But here we were all alone. The canyon was ours, and we loved it. The camping was cold at night, but it was the only way to take in the views of the sunset and sunrise, and they will be etched in my mind forever. From the North Rim we drove to Panguitch, Utah. I passed through the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, by Kanab, and then did a side trip into the eastern corner of Zion National Park, where I did a short hike contouring around the side of Checkerboard Mesa.

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