The big concern this year was the fire that resulted from a “controlled burn” getting out of control. When it finally was clear that we could go to the North Rim, we sent out the e-mail:Yeah!!
May 22, 2000NORTH RIM OF GRAND CANYON OPEN TO VISITORS
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park opened at noon today, and visitors returned to this portion of the park. The North Rim has been closed since May 10 when the Outlet Fire burned across Highway 67, restricting access to most areas of the North Rim. At 12:00 noon, park officials opened the gate at the North Rim entrance station on Highway 67, 30 miles south of Jacob Lake. Grand Canyon National Park North Rim Unit Manager Phil Walker, Kaibab National Forest District Ranger Jill Leonard and Northern Rockies Incident Management Team Incident Commander Steve Frye were present as over 300 vehicles and their passengers awaited entry to the park. "There were cars as far as the eye could see… people were in good spirits anticipating the opening of the North Rim and their chance to experience this special place," said North Rim Unit Manager Phil Walker.
Only 4 days prior to our trip! But it all turned out OK.
Friday, May 26, 2000We broke away from work at 11:30 and made it out to DIA by 12:30. Kris and I grabbed some fast food and met the rest of the group at the gate. This year, we had: Stu Knapp, Ron Repper, Fred Knapp, Deac Lancaster, Steve Flannery, Cindy Henke, Clint Henke, Norm Henderson, Tom Laurence, Mike Tanaka, Ellen Ryan, Kris Wallack, John Wallack. The flight and drive went well. We checked in by 11PM. We all gathered for a beer before calling it a night.
Saturday, May 27, 2000We all had breakfast at about 7AM. We started hiking at 815AM. Because of the fire, we simply did the North Kaibab trail. The other options were all closed. It was a good day. We hiked to the pump house. We ate a lunch and started back at 1130 AM. We were at the North Rim by 317PM. We all went out for a cold beer, then headed for the veranda. It was pleasant to enjoy the Lodge during the daylight for a change, but I missed the Rim to Rim feeling of accomplishment. We all lounged about on the deck or on the rocks in the area.
Saturday evening, we had a good meal. Deac, Steve and I had a New York Strip, while Kris whimped out with a trout dish. Fred’s table seemed somehow cursed with bad service or no food again. This is two years in a row for Fred’s table. If this trend continues, Fred may start packing a sandwich for dinner! Taking a break on the walk up to the North Rim
After dinner, several of us went out to sit on the Point and enjoyed a spectacular, unobstructed view of the stars. Virgo, Leo and Bootes were all overhead. Looking directly south we could see a forest fire burning on the horizon. We all gathered for the evening beer by the cabins before turning in.
Sunday, May 28, 2000
Sunday morning, we had a fine breakfast at the corner table overlooking the Canyon. We had a leisurely start. We left for Zion about 8:30AM and got Zion about 11AM.
Getting to the trailhead was just a bit frustrating. This was the first week for the Shuttle Bus system. There was not enough parking, so we parked at a campsite parking lot. The bus did not stop there, however. So we wondered around in 100F temperatures before finally catching the bus at the Visitors Center.
The temperature was definitely up around 100F. Ellen had not slept well, and decided to stay at the trailhead. We started off for Angels Landing, but after 30 minutes, Kris decided it was too hot for her. Kris and Ellen went back to Springdale and checked us all into our rooms. Meanwhile, the rest of us made our way up Angels Landing. The view of the valley from the top is impressive. It reminds me a bit of Yosemite, with the steep rock walls and flat valley floor.We all made it back to Springdale via the shuttle. The pool at the Bumbleberry Inn was refreshing. Fred brought out a bucket of beers. We had a fine dinner at a restaurant with a patio surrounded by misters. The fine spray of cool water, a cold beer and a great meal topped off two full days of canyon land hiking.