At 8,803 feet, Point Imperial is the highest and northernmost point on the North Rim, presenting a different panorama than that from the other two popular viewing locations further south, i.e. Cape Royal and Bright Angel Point. It overlooks the Painted Desert and the eastern end of Grand Canyon. This is the place where the canyon first takes on its characteristic wide and grand appearance by transforming the narrow walls of Marble Canyon and its winding gashes into grand branched gorges with dramatic dimensions.