By:
Submission
**Permit Required**
Threshold Zone Recommended for experienced Grand Canyon hikers. Non-maintained trails. Scarce water sources. Dirt roads to trailheads. Pit toilets. Use of private livestock (horses and mules only) allowed with permit only on Whitmore Trail and on designated roads and trails on the rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/campsite-information.htm
The road through the national park is pretty gnarly. Don't attempt it if you don't have high clearance. There is a forestry road that you can take as an alternative for most of the way that is much better maintained. The view from the point is spectacular and well worth the drive. If you look you can also find the geological benchmark for the point.
We just completed our drive to Point Sublime. It's a tough road. We drove it in a 2015 Ford Escape 4wd. More clearence would be better, but if you go slow and be smart about your wheel placement, and have experience off roading , you will be fine. There were 5 other vehilcles out there. Looking at my Escape a couple said " you drove out here in that"!l?? One of the biggest thrills was in the meadow coming across a large heard of Buffalo!!
You wont find a better experience from the North Rim - probably the whole park for that matter. You're literally surrounded by the Grand Canyon on a little spit that juts out deep into the canyon. Apply for a camping permit and enjoy the absolute quiet while spending the night here. There are a handful of places to pitch a tent plus a very nice drop toilet (didn't stink at all and was very clean). The road there may be a bit intimidating, but the view is worth it. Take your time on that road. Most likely you will be the only people camping there. You will have the sunset to yourself there. Amazingly enough, there is a little cell service there too, but its not like you want it there.
If there were 6 stars, that’s what I would give Point Sublime. The road from the visitor center is about an hour and 15, with the right vehicle. The Gladiator Mojave had no problem with the trails in and out, but I would not try without high clearance and 4wd. The weather was crazy, with low 40’s in the morning, clearing up to become gorgeous by lunch. On the drive out in the afternoon, it started raining, then turned to sleet, and near the top of the plateau, we had accumulated snow/sleet in the grass. By the time we got back to the highway, it was sunny and beautiful again. We’ll be back to get more of the north rim points. Saw 4 people in 7 hours. The views are truly sublime
