Grand Canyon - the North Rim

We finally arrived at the entrance to the North Rim National Park. There was a slight delay as we waited for the traffic ahead of us.

JRI already had paper work done which got us into the park.

Kelli and Don spent ten minutes or so getting the necessary paperwork done in the park office. Because there are limited camping spaces at the three camp grounds in the canyon, the spaces have to be reserved, usually well in advance. Overnight camping is prohibited outside the three campgrounds along the trail and Park Rangers check the paperwork at each campground. I was very fortunate to get a space on one of these trips.

In the meantime, the rest of us visited the bathroom. The next flush toilet would be at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Canyon.

We filled our water containers here.

Kelli instructed us on how to pack our back packs.  My green pack is on the right and the multitude of straps and buckles looked daunting at first. I kept thinking that assembling an Ikea piece of furniture was probably easier. The packs were already loaded with the tent, sleeping bag and blow up mattress.

And so we said goodbye to Don and headed down to the trail entrance about 12:30. We were already running a few minutes late so there was no time to go to the view points at the North Rim. Not to worry, we were about to really see some views.