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Saguaro Lake Panorama

Widforrs Point Panorama at end of Hiking Trail  Oza Butte midground, distant South Rim behind

Multiple Dates, last Nov 12, 2023

North Rim of Grand Canyon is far less developed compared to South Rim;  that also means less maintained hiking trails.  If not willing to venture below the Rim, best bang for your buck by margin is Widforrs Point Trail - undemanding undulating traverse generally following North Rim westward ending at fantastic viewpoint (lead photo).    Parking is about 1km along unpaved Point Sublime road, turnoff about 1km north from last Hwy67 switchback before road end.  Junction is signed.   Trail is very easy to follow;  there are some ups and downs but very gentle and overall family friendly.  I imagine it would be quite suitable for trail runners as well.   About an hour in trail moves away from the Rim and descends into most delightful forested grove, then climbs up Widforrs plateau with cool open spruce fir forest.  Trail ends at best viewpoint of the day - see Gallery.  Descend few meters below for nice nook where lunch can be enjoyed with far reaching views that extend to South Rim and beyond.

It is possible to descend into intervening canyon, then hike up rising ridgeline to next bump directly across.  There is no trail and there are some prickly parts;  if you attempt this, long pants and sleeves are recommended.  Reward:  Great view of Oza Butte (substantially better compared to official end of Widforrs Trail).   Much further exploration is possible, but there is no feasible way to descend into the canyon from here to my knowledge.  Return is the same way.

I've hiked Widforrs several times and would gladly do that again.  Despite overall ease I was always alone on Widforrs, perhaps because my visits were in off-season.  Be ware that North Rim is seasonally closed in winter - usually Nov 30 till sometime in May;  for exact date(s) always consult current conditions on NPS Page.  Hiking Widforrs or any other North Rim trail at that time is not practical, although I've heard people cycling of even cross-country skiing past Jacob Lake gate on Hwy89a.

Gallery