Labor Day North Rim Event?

This past spring, several of us met at the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix for a NPN/RMNP event. In thinking of another photography event for this fall, the idea came to mind of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon over Labor Day weekend. The Labor Day weekend would allow more time to travel, and the north rim is generally not as crowded. It should still me monsoon season for cloudy sunsets, lightning, rainbows and unicorns. In addition to Cape Royal and Imperial Point, there is Point Sublime, or points like Locust, Timp or Parissawampitts outside the park on the national forest on the west end of the canyon.

Would this event be of interest to you? If so, would you prefer the icon points like Royal and Imperial, or going outside the park towards Parissawampitts? Other ideas?

Seeing images with a 'wow!' factor like this makes a rendezvous sound awfully appealing, Doug.
But, I wanna hear more about the Paris Swamp Pits!

Sounds like a good Idea Doug, I'd definitely be interested if I can get the time. Never been on the north rim so any spots would probably be quite a nice change for me.

I'd be interested, but I'll be on the North Rim in about a month...BUT, if it's REALLY awesome (and I expect it will be), I may try for a second trip. No promises.

Count me in!

I'll certainly try to make it. My preference would be the outside the park locations.

Doug, what kind of temperatures can be expected at that general area around Labor Day?

Howard, Locus Point is at 8000' along the west rim. Highs may be about 75 and lows about 45. There is an 18 mile long mountain bike/hiking trail (Rainbow Rim Trail) along the rim that connects Parissawampitts, Fence, Locust, North Timp and Timp points.

Bill, I would also prefer outside the park as it is less regulated/crowded and offers dispersed camping in the Kaibab national forest.

Y'all may wish to search Locust Point in Google Images and see what you think of the area. Another Point that has my interest is just west of Bill Hall Monument to the north of Parissaswampitts.

Hey Doug,

I am going to 'pencil' this in. My schedule is wacko at the moment and I'll have a better idea soon.. There are some nice pics of Locust Point out on the Google machine.

This is a gorgeous picture! Would the best chance for unicorns be inside or outside the park?

I am definitely interested....seeing that I haven't shot in over 6 months, I am itching to get out of town and shoot. Any carpooling ideas from California I can always fly into Vegas or Phoenix if someone can pick me up, I would help pay for gas for sure.

Was just in the North Rim... I may have stumbled upon a good sunset location that I haven't seen any photos from. I didn't shoot sunset from it since I was just hiking and was there in mid-afternoon. I do have some photos, however.
Go to the Cliff Spring trail (just below the end of Cape Royal Road), and go past the spring. The well defined trail continues along the edge of the canyon, and gives some nice views straight across at Wotans Throne and Vishnu Temple.
I found this on my last afternoon there, and since I hadn't shot some other places on my list of places to shoot from, didn't get a chance to look at it at sunset.

Bob, that vantage may be nice. Another spot is Cape Final, about a 2 mile walk. I plan on checking these and Locust Point in about 2 weeks.

Doug, here is a shot I got from the trail I mentioned above. I think it might be a nice one for sunset...I'll be interested to hear if you try it.
Bob Hitchman just did one of his guides on the North Rim and mentioned the Cape Final viewpoint. Also sounds like might be a good spot.

I just spent 3 days on the North Rim visiting various locations. I started with Locust Point which overlooks the west end of the canyon. It is on the Kaibab National Forest, so there is plenty of dispersed camping near the points. The roads out to the points are graded gravel and passenger car passable. I figure that Locust Point would be a good location for Saturday night. The tripod locations are limited at Locust, but I feel it allows for better comps than North Timp or Fence Points.

Here is an image from the end Locust Point looking at Steamboat Mountain.

The following morning, I drove about 30 minutes around to North Timp Point. Here is a pano taken mid-morning to show the view. The point seen on the right is Fence Point. Locust Point is unseen just off the right.

For those who mountain bike, the Rainbow Rim Trail skirts the rim for 18 miles from Fire Point, over Timp locust and Fence Points, to Parissaswampits Point

Sunday night of Labor Day weekend can be spent at Point Sublime in the park. According to the backcountry office, the best way is from the north from the Kaibab Nat Forest. It is about a 2 hour drive from Locust Point. Th eroad requires some higher clearance but not 4wd. Another couple had no problem in a Subaru Outback. The road from Widforss trailhead in the park to Point Sublime is supposedly in the worst shape in 10 years, so hence the access recommendation from the north. I have gotten a group permit for Point Sublime for both Sunday and Monday nights. The point is somewhat remote and not heavily visited. Besides me, there was only one other couple there.

Here is a pano taken in the evening from Point Sublime.

As a side note, I found cell reception at Point Sublime to be quite good, with 4 bars using Verizon.

I have road numbers/mileages/directions/map to Locust Point and Point Sublime for those coming. Let me know by posting here if you plan on attending. Shoot me an email and I can send you the map and directions. Thanks.

Hey Doug, I just put in for the time to make it for that weekend. If I get the time I plan on being up there from saturday to sunday morning (will likely have to work the following day). I'm not familiar with the dispersed camping up there, so if you could possibly email some info on that I would appreciate it, otherwise I will likely be camping at the campground just outside the north entrance.

Peter,
You can camp almost anywhere in the N. Kaibab national forest, so you can set up your camp/tent right off the road near the point. There are plenty of flat spots with pine duff, and also some established spots right at the points. No need to stay in the Del Motte campground and drive back and forth. The travel management plan has not been instituted yet in the North Kaibab district, so there is no 30' restriction like in the Williams ranger district.

Edit: make that Saturday to Monday morning possibly even Friday evening.

Is there any one location you might recommend to stay that is in close proximity to the various points and locations that we will be shooting? I'll probably do a sunrise/sunset at one of the classic viewpoints inside the park since I've never been, just don't want to do a lot of driving.

Peter,
DeMotte campground would put you less than 45 minutes from Point Imperial for a sunrise shot and about an hour from Cape Royal. It would be about an hour out to Locust Point also. It took me 4 1/2 hours to drive back from Cape Royal to Flagstaff, if that helps you judge your Friday evening drive.
The only campground in the park is near the north rim visitor center. Staying there would shave about 15 miles off your drive each way to points Imperial and Royal for a sunset/sunrise combo, than if you stayed at DeMotte. There is no camping out at Cape Royal or Imperial.
Being Labor Day Weekend, these campgrounds may be filled.

Thanks for the info Doug. Hopefully I'll be able to get the time and head up.

Doug - my soft-pencil commit is now much stronger. I have one potential weekend conflict, but that seems to be a moving target. I'm already beginning to plan client-related travel in the Four Corners region for Tuesday 9/4, so that is a good sign I'll be there as a waypoint from Las Vegas.

Thank-you for the fine preview of the locations.

The very long range forecast on Accuweather suggests some monsoonal weather for Monday 9/3. While way too far out, it does suggest this current relatively stable pattern will break around Labor Day. Could be some nice skies to play with. :)

I am curious if anyone is thinking about bookending the weekend with travel to nearby areas like Toroweap or White Pocket? Or maybe the Bisti or Durango during the following week.

Special note for anyone coming from the west through St George - Arizona has begun a massive repaving (of I-15) through the Virgin River Gorge. Last weekend's backup was 3 hours; there are go-arounds like highway 91 through Ivins "Utah Hill" but you got to do that before you get stuck. Check ADOT for updates.

What's the wildfire smoke situation on the Colorado Plateau ?
I was on a hike yesterday in the Loevland Pass area and we were in a "fog" all day.

Bill, in the park, there was a 1/4 acre fire near Green lake ont he way to Cape Royal, but I did not see any smoke when I drove past.
The lightning fires near Jumpup/Kanab Creek are pretty much contained.
I did see smoke rising from Mt Trumbull west of the canyon, but I have not read any current reports. Monday morning I did see smoke high in the sky to the west, but not in the canyon. I did not smell any smoke either.

Found this report that include Trumbull http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/predictive/products/209LargeFires.htm

I often look at inciweb http://inciweb.org/

Doug,

I have workshops on the South Rim for the remainder of this month. I need to take a day or two off, but it looks like I will be on the North Rim for the RMNP event. Thanks again for putting this together!

Ok Doug, conflict cleared. I have this trip in Ink.

I may bring a photography (actually videographer) buddy along for the travel. I think he wants some good B-Roll (maybe more:) He also did Colorado S&R back in the day, heh.

When is camp officially open (should I drive in late Friday night) ?

Adam, good to hear that you should be able to make it to the north side.
Karl, I will try and be at Locust Point on Friday and will put out a RMNP sign. I am driving a Chevy PU regular cab with shell (pewter colored paint).
If anyone needs a map and directions to Locust/Sublime Points, shoot me an email.

Looking at reports from Accuweather and NWS, it should be a nice monsoonal weather weekend. A High is setting up by the Four Corners and the Jet is well north. 30%-40% Chance of T-storms on Friday. Bring an umbrella and a camera.

Peter & I will arrive Saturday afternoon around 2:30. Have an idea where we should meet up? Locust? Sublime? Where should we look for a sign?

Bob, Saturday evening at Locust Point, and Sunday night at Point Sublime. I have emailed map and directions to Peter. I can send them to you or anyone else if needed. Look for a RMNP sign within 1/2 mile the end of the road at Locust.

Doug - sent you an email.

I'm still looking to be there late Friday night or early Saturday. If anyone is doing the same, let me know in case we can caravan in... Thats some mileage in the back country. If anyone would like to pursue a side trip to White Pocket or Toroweap or some other place coming in or out of the area, let me know. I'm on the road from Vegas as soon as 5 or 6 pm Friday Night.

Full Moon on Friday.

Bob, Pete, Adam, Doug - looking forward to this gathering.
Bill, Bob - are you guys coming? Who else?

Chikku informed me he will be coming as well so he will be heading up with Bob and I.

Weekend weather forecast is looking better. From NOAA:
FOR SATURDAY AND THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND...MODELS SHOW HIGH PRESSURE
REMAINING CENTERED OVER NEW MEXICO AND INTERACTING WITH A SERIES OF
SHORTWAVE TROUGHS MOVING ACROSS THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE UNITED
STATES. THE PRESSURE GRADIENT BETWEEN THE HIGH OVER NEW MEXICO AND
THE SERIES OF TROUGHS TO THE NORTHWEST IS FAVORABLE FOR A DECENT
PUSH OF MOISTURE NORTHWARD ACROSS ALL OF ARIZONA. AS A RESULT...THE
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND STORMS WILL LIKELY TREND UPWARD OVER ALL OF
NORTHERN ARIZONA OVER THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

NOAA Forecast

We ended up with 5 NPNers at the Rim event Labor Day Weekend. Doug Koepsel, Karl Buiter, Peter Coskun, Chikku Baiju, and myself. We had some very nice monsoonal weather and I think we all came away with some keepers. Hats off to Doug for the scouting and organization. Here is a grab shot of Doug at Point Imperial.

Thank-you Doug, Bob, Peter, and Chikku for a wonderful photography weekend!

I did stay to shoot sunset at the vantage point a few miles before Point Sublime; then stayed overnight in Mesquite Nevada for a few hours of needed sleep before wrapping up the last hour of return drive this morning. Got a few locations off the bucket list - White Pocket and the back country in the North Rim. And more important - some new friends out there in the field.

In other reports, no other bottles of soap product broke, and I did find my tent poles right inside the door at home.

I'll rummage through the bounty in the next few days and see if anything is worthy of posting. I think there will be.

Definitely a good time. It was nice meeting you Bob and Karl and hanging out shooting with everyone. Can't wait to see everyones posts. Thanks again Doug for organizing this trip and putting us in some amazing lesser seen areas of the canyon.

It was a nice weekend on the north rim and am glad that Bob, Chikku, Karl and Peter were able to make the trip. Aside from Sunday morning at Imperial, conditions were good. Hope all got some good images to keep. I am out by White Pocket now, so using this laptop to process or critique images would not be good.