All this talk about rim-to-rim is making me...well...WANT TO DO IT!!!

When, in anyone's opinion, is a good time? I'm thinking spring, or fall before snow shuts down the north rim. Summer is out for obvious reasons. Does the road to the north rim remain open as long as there's no snow? & smithb, where did you stay the night before? Because I'm pretty sure the north rim facilities close the first part of Oct.....

Thanks!