The Drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon: Vermillion Cliffs National Monument and Kaibab National Forest

Well at the end of the day, my camera decided to stop working. So I drove down to Flagstaff and on my way back up I realized that it would make more sense to do the north rim of the Grand Canyon first, before going into Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. So that’s what I did.

I was really enjoying the scenery even before I got to the park, driving first through Vermillion Cliffs National Monument and then through Kaibab National Forest. It was too pretty not to share.

Navajo Bridge, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

Navajo Bridge, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

Highway 89 West, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

Highway 89 West, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

Once I turned onto Route 67 South and entered the Kaibab National Forest, I discovered meadows on either side of the road, framed with aspen whose yellow leaves the sun had turned alight. It was a glorious autumn day!

Aspen in the meadow, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona

Aspen in the meadow, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona

Aspen by the road, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona

Aspen by the road, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona

More aspen in a meadow, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona

More aspen in a meadow, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona

Even though I had driven up into the mountains I was not expecting such a thriving forest so close to the rim of the Grand Canyon. A wonderful surprise!