Day 78 Kanab, UT to Lake Powell, AZ

Day 78 7/15/2015

Underway at 8:15am (Utah time MDT) after stopping at Honey’s Mercantile & Grocery in Kanab – needed milk. Kanab is at 4000 feet elevation.

 

Waiting in line to get in the park

Heading toward the North Rim along 89A to Jacobs Lake then 67 South to the rim.  Although it was only about 100 miles, it took nearly 3 hours due to sightseeing and steep winding roads.

 

I always wanted to see the canyon from here.

We were surprised that there were no large animals anywhere in the large open meadows along 67, this was the type of habitat where we saw elk and bison earlier this summer but a lone deer in the 2000 forest fire burn area was the only thing larger than a ground squirrel that we saw today.

 

Hard at work watching the view.

We did see spectacular mesas and canyons all along our route. Arriving at the North Rim at about 10:00am (Arizona MST).  Our response to first site – WOW! North Rim is at 8300 feet.

 

Watch your step

Nothing could have prepared us for the breathtaking site of the canyon in person. All the pictures we have seen (and the ones posted here as well) just cannot convey the majesty of the Grand Canyon – see it for yourself and you’ll know what I mean.

 

You just have to see it yourself

We decided to take what is probably our last opportunity to have lunch in a spectacular old National Park Lodge.  It did not disappoint. (Thanks Jimmy)

 

Our obligatory selfie.

Leaving the canyon, we had to backtrack 50 miles along 67 to route 89A where we began dropping on a 6% grade for 20 minutes until we leveled out on the “Vermillion Highway” at 4000 feet again.

 

View from the dining room

Driving through the Navaho Nation, we were struck by the poverty and decayed infrastructure along the highway.  No industry, no jobs and little hope.

 

Heading down the mountain into Navaho Nation

We reached the Vermillion Cliffs and began another steep climb to 6000 feet and then down again to Lake Powell at around 4400 feet.  

 

Restrooms and showers at Lake Powell

 Lots of climbing and downgrades before landing at the Waheap Campground and RV Park on the shore of the lake. A fitting conclusion to another spectacular day.

 

View from our campsite at Lake Powell.

Odometer: 85630 Miles Today: 214  Total Miles: 8341