Cape Royal
North Rim Of The Grand Canyon, AZ
CAPE ROYAL
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF CAPE ROYAL
Of the national parks I have visited, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is one of my favorites. It is far removed from the crowds, summer heat, and tourism of the South Rim - and is truly an oasis in the desert.
While visiting the North Rim, do yourself a favor and visit one of the most spectacular canyon outlooks – Cape Royal. This special place provides stunning views of Wotans Throne and the eastern Grand Canyon and is a favorite for photographers, workshops and sightseers. This scene is excellent for both sunrise and sunset, and on a clear day, you can see the Desert View Watchtower (9 miles away) across the canyon on the South Rim.
After visiting the Cape Royal overlook - consider hiking the short trail on the south side of the parking area where you will find a small picnic area, a unique outdoor temple/theater and more great views of the canyon.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
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DATA POINTS INCLUDED WITH CAPE ROYAL SUMMARY
The difficulty of this trail is a 2.5 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most difficult).
The hike to this location from the parking lot is an easy .4 mile on a paved walkway. However, to get to either the left or right side of the overlook area, you must climb over a rail and traverse a ledge to get to the location of the shot.
Whether you’re shooting sunrise or sunset, this shot is primarily about the lighting (glow) on the Wotans Throne. The glow will last 2 to 3 minutes depending on haze or clouds in the horizon.
It is important to note that in the late summer months - the lighting (glow) on Wotans Throne and the last sunbeam filling the valley can happen a few minutes apart (as the distant ridge blocks the last of the sunset). For this reason, you may need to take multiple exposures and composite your image.
This is mainly an ultra-wide angle shot (11 mm to 16 mm). Other compositions can be taken here, but most shots will be taken ultra-wide.
7,560 ft Elevation
Other Resources Available with Membership
KMZ Trail File
Directions
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Best Time of Year to Shoot
Equipment Needed
Permits Required
Direction of Shot
Google Maps Birds-Eye-View
Number of Photographers to Expect
Cell Service
Overnight Lodging/Camping
Nearby Restaurants
Area Guides and Workshops
Other Resources
LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
