My friend Roger and I just completed a 5 day / ~1200 mile loop around the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on">Grand Canyon</st1lace>.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> <o></o> Trip Report: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514330<o></o> <o></o> I cleaned up my active tracks and posted them here for others to enjoy.<o></o> <o></o> A few points:<o></o> <o></o> - We had favorable (dry) weather conditions......it would be tough to cover the mileage and enjoy the ride if these roads/trails were wet/muddy.... <o></o> <o></o> - I've included a few optional tracks on the northern side......see the note at the bottom of post one in the trip report.......if you've never ridden in the area I'd suggest taking the optional track over towards the Bar 10 which travels past the remains of Butch Cassidy's Hideout (not really Butch's place.....but the remains of an old structure is marked with a waypoint).......any, this route is more scenic than the Elbow Canyon route IMHO......also suggest visiting the Bar 10 ranch/viewpoint and Toroweap if you have time......both are worthy stops <o></o> <o></o> - The Kane Trail above the North Rim isn't worth the effort IMHO......I left it in the file but I also drew in the suggested path which is to just proceed up Burma Rd. to 89A then drop back down to the flats on Buffalo Ranch Rd.<o></o> <o></o> - It's not clear to me that we actually needed permits to travel on the Navajo Lands by the <st1lace w:st="on">Grand Canyon</st1lace> but the day use/hiking permits are only ~$5 so why not make the contribution and alleviate tensions if stopped....you can obtain the permit by calling the Cameron Office of the Navajo Nation. <o></o> - As you'll read in the report, we missed <st1lace w:st="on">Grand Canyon</st1lace> viewpoint number 1 (<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Buffalo Ranch Road</st1:address></st1:Street> area) and viewpoint number 3 (first viewpoint in Navajo lands)......but I left them in the tracks......these are the only two sections of track that I have not actually ridden.......so go ride'em......I'm anxious to see YOUR photos from those two spots....that said, we made several explorations on the Navajo lands......some worked out and some didn't......I cleaned up the tracks to the best of my abilities but they may be a bit off in a couple of areas on the Navajo lands.....nothing drastic..... - There are two spots on the track from the South Rim to Seligman that could be improved upon (Ranch with 3 gates and Tin House).......I'm hoping someone else will figure out better routes in those areas and post active track patches around the ranch with 3 gates and Tin House <o></o> <o></o> - SEE UPDATE BELOW - NO PERMITS FOR BIKES OF ANY KIND from the Hualapai to ride down to the CO. river from Peach Springs...... - Best not be shy about sand when you ride down towards Temple Bar Rd./Triangle :eek1 <o></o> <o></o> Enjoy the tracks/Have fun! Teaser pic - "What a view" - Waypoint/Viewpoint # 5 on Navajo lands between Lee's Ferry and Cameron <o></o>
Hey, do you have any other advice? I've never ridden in the area, so I'm really looking forward to it, but worried about surprises of the bad kind. David New Las Vegas Show ~ Vegas Tours
I have done this ride 2 years ago. Dont worry about the suprises, They are what make the trip. The people we met out in the not much of the Navajo Nation were awesome. We did get the permit at the hotel for Peach Springs and the Ranger was great also. Get you beer BEFORE you head down to the river. Store just outside the rez to the west. Torroweep is a must. You can get some strong feelings in that area. Plan on spending the night in the cave at the camp ground.
Chris, Great trip, I really need to get over there on the TE. I have started adding phone numbers to waypoints for Motels and questionable Gas stations. See my Nevada STMS I just updated on GPSXchange.com
Hey Crawdaddy, I put together a GPX storage, search, & display program together last week. I published it last night. Please come and check it out and see if you find it useful. You can store your tracks privately or share them. You can share them but not allow zooming in to close or download. Soon, you will be able to update your tracks online and and export an updated GPX. <IFRAME SRC="http://www.dualsportmaps.com/embedMap.html?id=F1B39D0E-DB7A-467E-A4DF-44DE660A7E47" TITLE="Crawdaddy's Grand Canyon Loop" width="640" height="480"></IFRAME>
That is the Shiznip.ight have to call you to see about working your gps site into www.sierranevadaadventures.com
We've been talking. Thanks for putting us together. I'm working on the software all the time. Next step is drawing GPX files right in your browser. It's going to be very nice!
Crawdaddy, looks like a great new site with lots of good stuff! I registered and am looking forward to putting some of those great tools to use.
Update-You can NOT ride down to the bottom out of Peach Springs without potentially facing a $500 fine. Don't waste your time here.......such a shame. I went to tribal head quarters/met with the tribal council after being denied entry a couple of months ago. I was told its "Tribal Law" that no two wheeled vehicles are permitted to ride down to the bottom regardless of the bike's worthiness/rider's ability & integrity. My guess is they're trying to control the local teenagers/hooligans from tearing up the area with quads and bikes so they're making a broad sweep and denying passage to all. Told them the same thing.....they sat there stone faced. Tried to appeal to the loss of easy revenue.....stone faced.....told them I'd get the word out so folks don't divert over to town on bikes for a wasted trip......stone faced. You CAN drive down in a truck/jeep......which are capable of doing much MORE damage than a bike............such B.S.
I got a sense of the way they lean years ago when I started my Grand Rally project. I ended up routing as far from their land as possible. No sense in spending money where we're not welcome. Found some cool stuff on the other side of I40 instead, South-West from Seligman. Is there a loophole for 3 wheels?
My experience has been nothing but positive on Navajo lands..... very cool to deal with........ Hualapai, on the other hand and based on "my" experiences, have always been about the $$ so I was kinda surprised they were turning away easy revenue from a FF in his mid 50's on an Adventure bike......I guess we got lucky in 09 when we just flipped some $ to the ranger on duty......it SHOULD be just that simple.....ride down, snap a few pics, split......easy revenue..... It would be interesting to see if they'd let you head down in the sidecar rig.......I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the answer.....
i have the same experiences..... i was told i could ride down to the river over the phone,, then a few days later when i arrived they would not let me,,,, crappy. that was two yrs ago and i havent been back.
Be careful of these tracks along the east rim of the canyon. There is a place where there is no road and then they take you right thru some guys back yard. The guy called the cops on us a few years ago. We were long gone, but some friends riding thru the next day scouting the AZBDR got stopped and questioned by the Navajo police. I have the spot marked as "Ranch House 2" and a good alternate route in the tracks here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=981366 Hope you are enjoying your trip Clem.
Thanks. Home now but I think I'll do this loop the next time I have a week to burn in the fall. Unfortunately that won't be for at least a year.
Hmm, sorry about that......I don't remember much of anything being out in that area?!?! I do recommend getting a camping/hiking permit from the Navajo office in Cameron ($5). That'll alleviate a lot of tension if you're stopped or have any questions...... The only place I recall literally riding through a guys property is on the south side.......that's why I pointed it out.....
No problem it is all part of the adventure. Those tracks of yours are a national treasure as far as I am concerned. We have followed them all around the east and north rims of the canyon and loved the ride. The AZBDR guys had also gotten a permit since they were camping. I understand this helped in dealing with the Navajo police. We followed Countdown's Great Western Trail tracks from Cameron to Moran point canyon overlook in May. I suspect he got at least some of his routes from you. Our tracks and trip report: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1068620 Part of this trip involved another rescue by the Navajo police and EMTs for an injured rider just outside of Window Rock.
I'll be using your tracks as a base to explore the North & East rims. Thanks Crawdaddy. Question; is there gas in Fredonia? I have about 160 mile range with a 4.1 on my 525 and I can carry another gallon. That gets me to 200. The idea is Mesquite via Butch's cabin to Toroweap to Fredonia (gas up) then to Sublime. Is there any gas to be had that you know of from Sublime then down the East side? (EDIT) According to the close up on map, it appears there is a chevron station at Marble Canyon How tough is Cain Rd where you have the skull & Xbones for a 525 rider? Thanks