BajaNomad - Toroweap on the north rim of the Grand Canyon

Toroweap on the north rim of the Grand Canyon

StuckSucks - 9-20-2018 at 09:10 AM

We recently visited Toroweap on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. To get there takes driving on 60+ miles of dirt roads, which naturally keeps the tourists away. This is also the only place in the canyon where you can look straight down 3,000' to the river.

bajabuddha - 9-20-2018 at 09:16 AM

Didja get to the Lava Falls overlook? You can hear the rapid from a mile and a half away. Gorgeous country and very remote.

Spectacular place

John M - 9-20-2018 at 09:21 AM

That is probably our most favorite of all the north rim overlooks. We happened to be on the rim as rafters negotiated Lava Falls and you could easily hear the screams of excitement of those far below.

We consider ourselves fortunate to have spent 3 different week-long adventures in the north rim area.

John M

JohnMcfrog - 9-20-2018 at 09:51 AM

Love this side of the Grand Canyon and have been there a few times. Did the Lava Falls hike with a old friend and remember celebrating when we got back with margaritas made with a battery blender. There is an coral colored rattlesnake common to the area, but never saw one.

StuckSucks - 9-20-2018 at 10:15 AM

We didn't get to the Lava Falls overlook this trip, but we could hear Lava Falls downstream from us. Saw a video of the Lava Falls hike and that is INSANE: bouldering/bush-whacking straight up and straight down with no shade or water. Hats off to those guys!

BajaBlanca - 9-20-2018 at 10:28 AM

Incredible photos! How spectacular. Makes us but a speck in the mighty canyon.

David K - 9-20-2018 at 10:31 AM

The Canyon really is a spectacular place in America. Baja Angel and I have been there just once (in 2006) but would like to return. We were there in November and it was super. Went in from Williams on the Grand Canyon Railroad.

Fatboy - 9-20-2018 at 11:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JohnMcfrog

Love this side of the Grand Canyon... There is an coral colored rattlesnake common to the area, but never saw one.

I wonder if it is the Midget Faded Rattlesnake? They vary in color from pink to a very light tan.

You see them in the slot canyons of Utah and it is not uncommon to step right over them without realizing they are there since they blend in so well and their rattle seems to be very faint.

Wikipedia says about them....
This subspecies possesses the most toxic venom of the C. oreganus / C. viridis group, although there is apparently considerable variability among local populations.

It is even one of the most potent venoms found in North America, and according to LD50 studies the venom is many times more potent than that of an Asiatic Cobra. It is characterized by the presence of a presynaptic neurotoxin, referred to as concolor toxin, the amount of which varies in individual snakes.

Hmmm, since I have had a couple of very close calls with them I might start being a little more careful.

This one was in Davis Gulch off the Hole-in-the-Rock road in Utah.

snake.jpg - 231kB

KurtG - 9-20-2018 at 12:13 PM

We camped at Toroweap 3 nights a couple of years ago, a spectacular place. At the overlook on Sunday there were quite a few day visitors but by 4 pm all were gone and only two other campsites were taken. Ranger and volunteers were great with suggestions of other places near by like the petroglyph site which we had all to ourselves. There are three dirt roads that access that area, all are pretty good but can get nasty if wet. The last few miles before the campground/overlook area are rough and we used 4wd a couple of times.

I plan to go back, we were there in mid-May and the weather was great but windy.

JohnMcfrog - 9-20-2018 at 12:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks

We didn't get to the Lava Falls overlook this trip, but we could hear Lava Falls downstream from us. Saw a video of the Lava Falls hike and that is INSANE: bouldering/bush-whacking straight up and straight down with no shade or water. Hats off to those guys!

That's the hike we did. Nothing too scary, but it was 90 degrees and 2500 foot elevation loss/gain in 1.5 miles.

ehall - 9-20-2018 at 12:22 PM

North rim is great. Lots of places to camp right on the edge. Used to archery hunt up there every year till they made it a draw tag. try the milkshakes at Jacobs lake next time you are near there.

JohnMcfrog - 9-20-2018 at 12:48 PM

Found an old video of our hike from the lava falls sign to the Colorado. The hike starts at about 3:50. You can slide the time dot to get there.

It's really just a slide show. The Vimeo version has better res.

https://vimeo.com/2821653

[Edited on 9-20-2018 by JohnMcfrog]

[Edited on 9-20-2018 by JohnMcfrog]

Cliffy - 9-20-2018 at 02:42 PM

Fatboy- And you wanted to play with one for some reason? :-)

I live at Lake Powell and luckily I haven't seen one yet

Skipjack Joe - 9-20-2018 at 03:10 PM

Nice image SS.

TMW - 9-20-2018 at 03:41 PM

Excellent, beautiful stuff, thanks.

motoged - 9-21-2018 at 12:22 PM

Great area....camped at Bar 10 Ranch with a handful of guys dirtbiking ALL around the Grand Canyon several years ago...best way to see he area....

Thanks for the reminder :saint:

ehall - 9-21-2018 at 12:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

Great area....camped at Bar 10 Ranch with a handful of guys dirtbiking ALL around the Grand Canyon several years ago...best way to see he area....

Thanks for the reminder :saint:

Seen those trips posted. Looks like a nice place to do day rides out of.

C205Driver - 9-21-2018 at 01:04 PM

...Bar 10 Ranch, great place on the North Rim....Not cheap but worth it.... Check out their website...

bajabuddha - 9-21-2018 at 01:38 PM

North Rim, truly magical. Camped in the forest Halloween 1983.... trick or treated each other's tents (mini bottles were the best sack stuffers). Expected elves and gnomes to come trotting out of the enchanted woods. It is truly elfin land. Also the Vermillion Cliffs to the east, and Lee's Ferry if you're a trout angler.

Always wanted to go back and stay at the Grand Lodge or in one of the rental cabins; on my bucket list now. No more tent camping for this tired old back. Maybe this year?

I've been on both sides of "The Big Ditch", and North Rim beats South hands-down IMHO. If you haven't been, just do it. Hint; it shuts down the end of October, you're at 7k ft. and it does snow there a lot.

BornFisher - 9-21-2018 at 01:56 PM

Camped a few days there, May 2016. Came in thru Jacob Lake and out near Fredona. Best camp site my low rider 1990 Dodge camper ever made it to!!