North Rim Grand Canyon Suggesstions

[stew71]

We're planning a trip through the SW in May and we're trying to find a paved route along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to take in the view. We're heard nightmare stories about the South Rim being packed with tour buses and traffic snarls so we decided to go North.

We'll be staying in St George for a couple of days and make day trips to see the sights. How is the ride east out on I-15 to 9E to Colorado City, picking up 389E, then 89A, and finally taking 67 south to a point on the map called North Rim?

Another trip will be along 9E through Zion, picking up 89N and heading south on 12 to check out Bryce Canyon.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[tankhead]

You might get lucky, like I did, in 2008 when gas prices soared and trippled my expense budget for my x-country trip.  I saw MAYBE three or four other vehicles going in to the north rim and a few coming out.  A truly gorgeous road when no one is on it.  I will try and post some pics of that part of my journey to prove my point.

[Yankee Dog]

the only paved road that approaches the North Rim is Hwy 67. Fifty miles in, Fifty miles out.  

[BwanaDik]

Be sure to slow down and take the loop of Colorado City.   Don't stop though.  Some interesting fashions by the women and I've never seen houses that big

[turbo.mp]

Not sure about the North Rim stuff, but I can tell you that UT9 through Zion is beautiful.  It's a narrow road and gets congested easily, but is extremely scenic.  They use a red aggregate in the asphalt used to pave the road, in the park.  Really a pretty place.
Zion to Bryce via 9 and 89 is a good stretch as well.  Haven't ridden it but I've driven it in the last 2 years.  Shouldn't have any problems there.

These guys might have some input for you:
http://www.canyonchasers.net/


On a normal day for your return trip from Bryce, I'd suggest looking into this route:
Bryce -> Panguich via W12, N89
Then S on 143, S148, W14 into Cedar City.

HOWEVER, a big chunk of UT14 got swept away by a landslide recently and I don't know when it will be opened back up... If you look into 14, make sure they've opened it.

[stew71]

Great suggestions everyone. Keep 'em coming!  

[stromgal]

Cape Royal road cuts off hwy. 67 on the left as you approach the north rim. Pretty cool side trip with some pullouts for overlooks.

http://www.nationalparked.com/US/Grand_Canyon/Roads/Cape_Royal_Road.php

[stew71]

Stromgal gets the cookie!!  

See Mrs CB about collecting your prize.

[UHOH]

like turbo.mp says - at some point Zion, the prime park in the area, imo.

Should consider staying in  Zion's bordering town on west (name = Virgin)
even though motels will be more $ than St George.  

sounds great trip,  photos after please...



EDIT: the name of the town is Springdale, not Virgin.

[turbo.mp]

like turbo.mp says - at some point Zion, the prime park in the area, imo.

Should consider staying in  Zion's bordering town on west (name = Virgin)
even though motels will be more $ than St George.  

sounds great trip,  photos after please...

Virgin is great.  Better yet, the last time we were down there we stayed at the Majestic View Lodge, between Virgin and the Zion gate.  Views there were breathtaking, and at the time the rates we reasonable.

http://www.majesticviewlodge.com/

[bdhszy1]

Plus one on the Majesticview lodge, stayed there twice. Great food and a small museum. It's also the last stop for the park shuttle bus, probably the best way to get around the park, unless things have changed, a good part of the parks sights are only accessable by bus, unless you're staying in the park lodge.

[tankhead]

[bungie4]

We did Bryce-North Rim 2 years ago.

Watch out for the staties in the gully halfway across 57 - don't ask how I know.

If your planning on staying at Jacob Lake, book ahead. Their are campgrounds there but "They have a tarantula problem". So I ended up going back across 57 to get a room in Kanab.

Otherwise, fantastic ride, especially the ride down to Bryce via Torrey.

[sagerat]

The cafe at Jacobs Lake serves a killer breakfast.

Oh, and you wouldn't believe their cookies...  

[stromgal]

especially the ride down to Bryce via Torrey.

Or the other direction.    That stretch of Hwy. 12 is one of my top-five all-time favorite motorcycle roads.

[UHOH]

Virgin is great.  Better yet, the last time we were down there we stayed at the Majestic View Lodge, between Virgin and the Zion gate.  

Turbo.mp note recalls better memory;  think the name of the town I meant to recommend is Springdale, not Virgin.  
Anyway, it's the town right at the west edge of Zion Park.  
Very visitor oriented, but you're a visitor and it works - shuttle bus and all, if needed.

[bungie4]

Or the other direction.    That stretch of Hwy. 12 is one of my top-five all-time favorite motorcycle roads.

Definitely in my top 10. I wish I knew about Hells Backbone before I turned the corner  onto it. I could've saved that pair of underwear.

[Lasercut]

The North Rim will be feeling a bit chilly in May, over 8000 ft. elevation.  After a great breakfast at Jacob Lake, I went east on 89A, and was rewarded with the Vermilion Cliffs.  Scenery plus!  No gas until you get to Marble Canyon, and before you get to that town there is a trip back in time called Lee's Ferry Lodge.  Seriously, I don't think anything changed here since the 40's, a nice restaurant and a retro motel.  A few miles further East is the Colorado River and the Navajo Bridge, a must stop.  From there you could head North into Utah and back West to St. George.  A nice loop for a day trip.