A buddy of mine said something very similar. It wasn't warm here when he got back. There was a blizzard here. Roads almost impassible.
If you plan a late fall or winter car trip to the canyon be advised the weather there and and the weather here can be quite different. The weather at the bottom and top of the canyon can be different too.

The Grand Canyon is just a magical place....especially if you can go when it is the least crowded. Early risers can seeois a national treasure and be sure not to miss visiting the Kolb Brother's gallery-it practically hangs right on the edge and is loaded with history. Enjoy!

Don't know what happened to my reply, but "early risers" was about the sunrise, the the national treasure is the El Tovar hotel.

I went in October--south rim. Be advised: no fences. Don't peek too far over. Very spooky knowing that if you slip you'll have time to think about it on the way down.

That said, magnificent views. Magnificent place. We also went to see Montezuma's Well nearby. Pretty cool place there too.

With all the time I had spent in mountain ranges I was unprepared for the visual impact "The Canyon" had on me.

Climate wise (DP may not believe in climate) the South Rim is much like Bailey and the North Rim like Kenosha Pass. The bottom, near the river is desert. Dress and bring water accordingly.

If you want to hike down think knees and bear in mind that you may have to face more than a mile of vertical to get back out.

The main corridor, south rim directly north from Flagstaff provides the best easily accessible visual impact and there are dozens of side canyons from theGlen Canyon Dam to Lake Mead to hike, backpack or die in.

A fourteener in reverse!

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay on the North Rim? The Grand Canyon Lodge is already booked (we're looking at the last Friday of June, but there will be six of us) and it seems like there really isn't anything else that's fairly close.

I used hiking poles when I made the descent last time and was glad i did! My knees were much happier and i may have saved myself from a couple of slip & fall moments. I used rubber tips on mine to prevent rock damage and the clack-clack-clack that one hears without them. If ice is present skip the rubber ends.

Enjoy the trip.
May can be nice. As someone said earlier, the contrast is incredible from rim to river. Bring layers and plenty of powerful, calorie rich fuel to get you back up (not to mention water!).

On the north side. A few years back we went in a tent camper trailer ( on the small side ) got a back country permit and went to the Powell Plateau and camped on the edge of the rim. Almost no people. No services of any kind. It was the best . All by truck. Altho hiking to the bottom from the north was also nice. If you show up at the ranger desk early in the AM you can sometimes get a permit to hike to the bottom. They give the permits away from those who have not checked it by the proper time , on a first come first serve . We had to come back three days in a row and then got three to the bottom. Other wise you need to book a year out. But some people just don't show , and then someone else gets to go. The trail from the north is much longer and has a higher rim elevation. Just be prepared . And call ahead.

Bring plenty of water and wear good trail or hiking shoes! The lower you go on the trail, the hotter it gets. It's easy getting down, but remember you have to walk back up and it's STEEP. Don't do more than you are prepared for. Start early in the morning when it is coolest.

Keep watching the reservation calendar. I've seen dates open up in the past.