From near 8,800 feet the Point Imperial viewpoint at the north rim of the Grand Canyon offers sweeping views of the northeastern part of the national park.  In the foreground, carved out of ancient petrified sand dunes the spire of Mount Hayden reaches a peak just 400 feet below the view point.  Beyond Mount Hayden nearly in a line from the view area, the Little Colorado River joins the Colorado from its own smaller but still massive Little Colorado canyon.  Upstream and to the left of the view, the Colorado cuts through Marble Canyon, too deep to be seen from this vantage point.  Further to the north, the viewer can make out the broad expanse of the desert plateau with the river carving through it as it descends from Lake Powell.