My wife and I did a one hour mule ride this morning, so I'm getting a late start on this hike. To reach the trailhead drive north on Highway 67 just past the North Kaibab Trail parking lot. Turn west at the highway sign onto a nice gravel road and travel seven-tenths of a mile to the parking lot.
The trail begins on the south side of the parking lot. Trail brochures are available at the trailhead sign. The trail is well maintained, easy walking, and begins a gradual climb to reach the main plateau overlooking the inner Canyon. Information markers are placed along the trail with numbers that correspond to explanatory text in the brochure.
In no time at all, I reach the top and start the traverse around to the other side of this side canyon. There are numerous points with great views of the inner Canyon.
This plateau is more like a meadow with flowers and ferns everywhere.
As I walk along, there are more viewing points and flowers.
I can't get over how many different flowers there are in this section of the trail. These really add to the experience of a nice day hike.
As I approach the south end of this plateau, there are more inner Canyon views and an interesting rock formation similar to the Duck on a Rock seen on the East Drive of the South rim.
You now start down a wide sweeping trail into another lush area with quite a bit of bushes and other growth.
Around 11:30 was the last time I had a view of the inner Canyon. It is about two miles from this section until reaching the end of the trail, the Widforss Point sign. Interestingly there is a picnic table beside the sign. I sit down and have my peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch with some Gatorade.
Now it's time for some pictures of the inner Canyon. The actual Widforss Point is quite a ways out on a finger and does not appear to be accessible. If it is reachable, it would take a great deal of effort and scrambling, something I'm not willing to try right now, knowing I have another five miles back to the trailhead.
I was hoping to get some great pictures of the North Rim Lodge from Widforss Point, but your view of it is blocked. On the way back to the trailhead, I reach one area where some pictures of the Lodge are possible, but only if you look closely at full zoom on my camera.
I am breaking in new boots and have developed a small blister on the sole of my left foot. My outside right ankle bone has also been hurting quite a bit, something I attribute to that harrowing scramble on the back sections of the Ken Patrick Trail I did yesterday. I reach the trailhead in about two hours after leaving Widforss Point, the same time it took me to reach the point. This is a wonderful trail. It really offers about everything you could want in a great day hike:
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