Grand Canyon National Park
SOUTH RIM
about the PHOTOsHOOT:
"TRIFECTA!"
In my "real" job, I am a Certified Interpretive Guide for Pink Jeep Adventures. Although CIG requires extensive training (the same training National Park Rangers take), the short-cut thinking phrase would be "I'm a tour guide for Pink Jeep Tours in Las Vegas". Pink Jeep has tour operations in Sedona Arizona (our headquarters), Pidgeon Forge Tennessee, Branson Missouri, Las Vegas Nevada, and Tusayan Arizona. You've probably heard of all those towns except the last.
Tusayan is the little hamlet formed at the entrance Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim.
It has a year-around population of only about 560 people, but nearly 6 million pass through it on their way to the Grand Canyon every year.
Some of the Pink Jeep employees were taking their vacations in mid-late August and Tusayan needed some outside guides to "fill in" while they were away.
I eagerly volunteered to take a two-week break from the City of Neon and head to the Grand Canyon. I was most excited at the possibility of being at the Grand Canyon the peak night of the Perseid Meteor Shower.
Being much more familiar with the Grand Canyon's NORTH rim, I took a couple of nights to discover the many overlooks on the south side. Desert View, Yavapai, Grand View, Pipe Creek, Moran, .... there are a SLEW of overlooks on the South Rim. In fact nearly every typical photo you've ever seen of the Grand Canyon was probably taken from the South Rim.
Some of
36°11'52.94"N 112°15'2.96"W
about the site:
Point Sublime is an outcropping that juts out from the North Rim into the Grand Canyon. As such, it's only accessible from May 15th to December 1st. Although nearly all of the Grand Canyon has Bortle 1 skies, the tourist areas in the park DO emit light pollution that can put a damper on the night skies.
To get to Point Sublime: (and I can't tell you how strongly I suggest you put it on your bucket list! If you have only one day at the Park AND A 4 Wheel Drive (!!)... honestly.. forget the Visitor Centers and the "must see" spots and go here instead!)...
It is at the end of an 18-mile off-road 4WD trail. Yes, you can drive right to it, but you MUST have a high-clearance vehicle and the 'recommended' 4-Wheel Drive. They are not kidding on this!! I grew up in the mountains of Colorado and I've done a bunch of off-roading. This trail REQUIRES high clearance and suggested 4WD. I did it with my 2WD Jeep Patriot - but NEVER again!
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There are actually 2 trails leading to Point Sublime. The shortest/fastest route is "Widforss Trail" - the "The 4WD way" as locals call it. It's 18 miles through forest and you WON'T be driving over 10-20mph, I guarantee it. The first 7 miles are pretty chill, as are the last 7. A Subaru Outback could handle those parts..... BUT!!! The 4 miles BETWEEN those stretches are absolutely 4WD territory!! There's one particular climb with an extreme grade and scree rock. It took me 4 times of back-and-forth getting stuck halfway up then spinning out then reversing down the hill to try again.... to get up it, and I eventually had to get a head-start at a very uncomfortable speed to get enough momentum WHILE avoiding some serious "I want to rip out your oil pan" rocks!! Without the years I spent in the Rocky Mountains, I never would have attempted it - much less made it.
The alternate route (which is how I got back) is considerably longer. In my opinion, it's rougher.. for a much longer period, but isn't as extreme (if that makes sense). I didn't have any worries in my 2WD Patriot on the way out. There are very VERY tight switchbacks making blind turns all along the way, and the road is washboard but only occasional "I better be careful here" moments.
Here are two good pages that go into more depth regarding directions:
Arizona Off Road Net (keep in mind this is written FOR 4WD regulars!)
and
http://www.zionnational-park.com/grand-canyon-sublime.htm
SECOND site:
36°07'15.81"N 111°56'54.45"W
Cape Royal is a far more accessible overview, with a paved road all the way to the parking lot. The picnic area is a short (.12 mile) walk down a paved trail.
The road to the overlook is longer than you think, and at some points quite narrow. As with all roads on the North Rim, expect tight switchbacks and wild life - so drive slowly and keep a watchful eye!