Grand Canyon Loop out of Vegas

[Crawdaddy]

My friend Roger and I just completed a 5 day / ~1200 mile loop around the Grand Canyon.

Trip Report: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514330

I cleaned up my active tracks and posted them here for others to enjoy.

A few points:

- 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....


- 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


- 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.

- It's not clear to me that we actually needed permits to travel on the Navajo Lands by the Grand Canyon 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.


- As you'll read in the report, we missed Grand Canyon viewpoint number 1 (Buffalo Ranch Road 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


- You CAN obtain a permit from the Hualapai to ride down to the river from Peach Springs......keep your cool and show them your bike is equipped to handle the rough terrain......bring cash and ride out the ranger if you get shot down at the lodge (and you will likely get shot down at the lodge)

- Best not be shy about sand when you ride down towards Temple Bar Rd./Triangle



Enjoy the tracks/Have fun!

Teaser pic - "What a view" - Waypoint/Viewpoint # 5 on Navajo lands between Lee's Ferry and Cameron

[Strega]

I'm Roger, and I support this trip :)

[David Morgan]

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

[bobzilla]

Originally Posted by David Morgan

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.

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.

[Countdown]

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

[craftycoder]

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.

[209ninja]

That is the Shiznip.ight have to call you to see about working your gps site into www.sierranevadaadventures.com

Originally Posted by craftycoder

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.

[Crawdaddy]

Originally Posted by craftycoder

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.

Very slick.......my riding partner Strega has some ideas he'd like to share with you.....

[craftycoder]

Originally Posted by Crawdaddy

Very slick.......my riding partner Strega has some ideas he'd like to share with you.....

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]

Originally Posted by craftycoder

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!

Thanks for helping us launch http://www.DualSportMoto.com last week! The Crawdad Off-Road Events (C.O.R.E.) website will follow in the next few months with fundamental GPS training schedules/rides.

[racedawg]

Originally Posted by Crawdaddy

Thanks for helping us launch http://www.DualSportMoto.com last week! The Crawdad Off-Road Events (C.O.R.E.) website will follow in the next few months with fundamental GPS training schedules/rides.

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.