I grinned and pointed at Russ and Andy in the Jeep Rubicon parked next to my Jeep and said, "I'm with them." Niether had shaved in days and they were coiling the winch for good effect. Very macho.

The ranger chuckled and replied, "Oh, uh, yeah, you guys look equipped. Nevermind. I get people asking about that road, and then I see they're driving a Cadillac or something like that."

Notice the Ansel Adams photograph from Point sublime to the right. He did not use a fully loaded SUV to get his equipment out there. As with any adventure, good judgement is a more valuable asset than expensive gear. I've been asked if certain vehicles can "make it" to Point Sublime. I do not intend to assert that any vehicle can "make it" anywhere without a driver. Additionally, I believe a more appropriate question is, "How rough is the road to Point Sublime?"

So, how rough is the road to Point Sublime?

The Road to Point Sublime is not a technical challenge for SUVs; although, I am highly unaware if the road gets graded from time to time. I've been to Point Sublime several times, and the road seems to get rougher with age. For any backcountry travel, though, I suggest (and practice) going with more than one vehicle. This will ensure that you have buddies around to enjoy the adventure with you.

For those who can see more in the language of the phrase "Road to Point Sublime," you will see that this road isn't just taking you to a mere rock outcrop that overlooks a really big hole. Oh, no. She takes you to the point at which the mind is "impressed with a sense of granduer or power." With that in mind, does it matter what the road is like?

Along the furtive edge of the North Rim of Arizona's Grand Canyon lives a forest of aspen and ponderosa pine trees. Aspens have a white bark with some dark flecks from befallen branches, growth irregularities, and bird pecks. Their leaves are small and round-like; about the size of a half dollar maybe. In the right light, the different angles of leaves create several shades of green. And when the wind blows, it makes the leaves shake and they appear to be twinkling and gleaming. With the sunlight, these modest Aspens stand out from the mighty Ponderosas.

On the road to Point Sublime, we drove through this Aspen and Ponderosa forest for a little over 17 miles. In some places, the forest opened up to a meadow with tall green grass, a dry creek, and several downed logs. Other places, there appeared to be no ground as for hundreds of yards there was a thick covering of jade ferns and the trees seemed to float upon them. I could tell that the land was cool and damp. Some portions of the woods had been badly burned by a fire. Trees were black and white shafts, mostly still trying to stand up but slightly arched over to one side. Many trees had already fallen and were layered with thick, green moss on the dead-gray bark.

We noticed several deer scratching through the forest; some ran away and others watched our vehicles while chewing small plants. I heard some birds with blue feathers singing in the trees.

The road to Point Sublime is mainly just a dirt path and in some places it is a double track deep in the earth with a strip of grass in the middle. In other places it is just a small trail perforating the forest. One short hill is mottled with deep ruts that must be carefully negotiated.

A notable place along this road is a look-out at the edge of the Canyon. The road mostly wanders through the woodland, but just a few places get close enough to the Grand Canyon for a view. This particular location allowed us to notice the green tiers of the Canyon’s walls alternating with the red sandstone and white limestone. The final section of road passes through a portion of the forest that is layered with these tiny lavender flowers. The flowers were located in just that one stretch of the woods for less than one quarter of a mile. There were millions of them.

Such is the road to Point Sublime.

Point Sublime may force you to jump and scream with joy. The view certainly is well over 180 degrees from West to East; If you are patient enough, you might hear the quiet whisperings of some song or story that goes back to long before any of us were here - yes The Grand Canyon will be speaking with you. At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. I'm trying not to say something cliched like, "The view is AWESOME." When I was there, I heard something...and I'm not sure yet what it was, but I heard something. It was like I was hearing a smile. Go figure.

"It is a hard job to sketch it even in the scrawniest outline; and try as I may, not in the least sparing myself, I cannot tell the hundredth part of the wonders of its features..." John Muir, on the Grand Canyon.