Visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1896

VISITING the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in the late 19th Century was truly an adventure. Unlike the South Rim, which a railroad accessed it, the North Rim was still a wilderness.
"Kanab to the Kaibab. An expedition to the Grand Canyon" was a June 28, 1896 headline in the Salt Lake Tribune.
"Kanab is the outfitting point for an expedition from the north to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado," the newspaper reported. "The essentials comprise a water  keg of not less than five gallons' capacity for a party of three, plenty of blankets and a food supply for at least a week."
The journey from Kanab to Point Sublime viewpoint of the Grand Canyon required 75 miles of wagon travel and another 13 miles by trail, after the wagon road ends. The story stated that the final 13 miles are best taken by those who are familiar with the area, as the path is very faint and confusing.
("Point Sublime" was apparently the original North Rim viewpoint used by early visitors. However, it is about 5 miles west of today's North Rim lodge and center.)

Visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon today is a 90-minute drive from Kanab, or about 79 miles of paved road.