dstepper
(R.I.P.) Over the hill
RR: Rainbow Rim Trail, Grand Canyon
North Rim, AZ. Elevation 8500ft
Rainbow Rim Trail, Kaibab National Forest.
I had never been to the Grand Canyon before, so I called The Grand Lodge on the North Rim and took advantage of a cancellation they had. The trip and stay at the Lodge was excellent.
The trail by its self it not worth the drive, even when you get to the North Rim you have another 18 miles of dirt forest service roads to get to the RRT trailhead. North Rim Grand Canyon is an out of the way destination, it is a must do lifetime experience. I can find better trails in Flagstaff and save 5 hours of driving from Prescott. From North to South the trail is 18 miles long and follows five different figures that protrude out in the Grand Canyon, the only legal bike trail with canyon views. You get a brief view at the tip of each finger then you are back in the forest again following another wash to the next view. I rode half the ride as an out and back doing 15 miles and climbed 500ft. Yes 500 ft, they went to great measures to keep this trail as flat as possible. Don’t get me wrong if you are out on the North Rim hit this trail and the surrounding forest are incredible. I stopped counting the Mule Deer and heard numerous Elk calls. No standing or running water so no bears…big cats yes.
Arizona puts California to shame on trail maintenance. I am riding trails that are literally out in the middle of nowhere and the trails are better maintained the Orange County local parks. Dead falls cleared, trails marked with mileage to next junction, no trash, and endless miles of erosion free buff single track. It is obvious what is important to the voters in Arizona.
Pics: Found a old fire lookout tower to climb and rain into a hail storm on the way back to Prescott.
Dean
North Rim, AZ. Elevation 8500ft
Rainbow Rim Trail, Kaibab National Forest.
I had never been to the Grand Canyon before, so I called The Grand Lodge on the North Rim and took advantage of a cancellation they had. The trip and stay at the Lodge was excellent.
The trail by its self it not worth the drive, even when you get to the North Rim you have another 18 miles of dirt forest service roads to get to the RRT trailhead. North Rim Grand Canyon is an out of the way destination, it is a must do lifetime experience. I can find better trails in Flagstaff and save 5 hours of driving from Prescott. From North to South the trail is 18 miles long and follows five different figures that protrude out in the Grand Canyon, the only legal bike trail with canyon views. You get a brief view at the tip of each finger then you are back in the forest again following another wash to the next view. I rode half the ride as an out and back doing 15 miles and climbed 500ft. Yes 500 ft, they went to great measures to keep this trail as flat as possible. Don’t get me wrong if you are out on the North Rim hit this trail and the surrounding forest are incredible. I stopped counting the Mule Deer and heard numerous Elk calls. No standing or running water so no bears…big cats yes.
Arizona puts California to shame on trail maintenance. I am riding trails that are literally out in the middle of nowhere and the trails are better maintained the Orange County local parks. Dead falls cleared, trails marked with mileage to next junction, no trash, and endless miles of erosion free buff single track. It is obvious what is important to the voters in Arizona.
Pics: Found a old fire lookout tower to climb and rain into a hail storm on the way back to Prescott.
Dean
Sometimes it's just about being on the bike, on the dirt, where you're at that counts. I'd ride there anytime.
