Alone on the GCBAR - Again

The Grand Canyon Backcountry Adventure Route takes you to...





...fun tracks to ride...





...beautiful forests...





...spectacular views...





...and awesome places to camp!





So follow along, as I attempt another solo trip of the GCBAR!





Even these guys watch this thread!

Ready to ride along........IN!

In.

Always in for a dave6253 ride report!
Regards....just jeff

Ok I'm ready!

In! Been waiting for this.

YUP

Awesome Pictures thus far

So what is the GCBAR? The Grand Canyon Backcountry Adventure Route. It is just a route of my own creation based on multiple rides into the Grand Canyon Backcountry. With the popularity of all the pre-planned routes such as the TAT, CDR, BDRs etc, I decided to put together an adventure bike route that circumnavigates the Grand Canyon and takes in the many scenic viewpoints off the beaten path that most tourists will never see. In 2013 I made my first attempt to complete my dream ride. Not everything went as planned and I didn't get out to every track I had planned. You can read the 2013 trip here: Grand Canyon Backcountry Adventure Ride

Tracks from the 2013 GCBAR trip



Day 1 was October 9th, 2015. I have 11 days of riding planned before I must return to work. I leave Phoenix and head north on the highway.
Although day 1 looks the same as 2013, this trip will be quite different. I have many new tracks planned. Some, I'm not even sure will be ride-able.

The San Francisco Peaks are already dusted with snow and the aspens are in full color.




I'm almost to the main entry gate to the National Park near Tusayan, when I turn off the pavement on the FS 328.




That's right! I'm headed back out to the only remote viewpoints you can ride to on the South Rim;
the stunning Havasupai Point and the nearby South Bass Trailhead.




I make short work of the 328.




It's fun to be twisting the throttle again.




I get to test my new suspension settings.




I pass an Indian lady on a quad wearing zero protective gear headed the opposite direction. I smile and wave. She does neither.
I realize she was probably just leaving the gate where you must pay the Havasupai Tribe to cross their land.

I get to the first gate at the border and it was open. An invitation?




A short distance later I reach the toll gate. I had $25 out ready to pay, but there seems to be no one around. I beep the horn and sit there a few minutes.
The sign on the closed gate says something about No Tresspassing on Federal Indian Reservation - Punishable by Death
Okay, I made the last part up. Should I open the gate and ride in? I really wasn't in a mood to change my plans.
There was a cabin to my left and a small RV trailer with an empty quad trailer on the right, but no Indians to pay.
I realized the driveway to the cabin was a detour around the gate, so I rode on around.





Now I was just sure a Reservation Ranger would be hiding behind every tree. I'm going to jail for sure!




I only have 4 miles to go on Indian Land. I tried to be quiet by lugging the engine in a higher gear.




Finally, I reach the National Forest...




...and a little further, the National Park. I can't help, but imagine the worst when I try crossing the Rez again tomorrow.




There were several trucks in the parking lot for the South Bass Trail Head.









I backtrack a short distance and turn left here to head out to Havasupai Point.




The trail gets a little rougher and less traveled out here.

A ride report for my birthday, thanks Dave.

I'm in

Awesome!

N!

IN! And digging it.....

Bring it!

Great start!

Day 1 Still


I was almost to Havasupai Point when...




...I found this guy on the trail. He meandered off the trail a little bit, but wasn't very concerned of my presence.
I took this photo with a 50 mm lens! He was about 50 feet away. He looks to be a young adult, but these are still very large animals.




Back to my beast.




Almost there...




Arriving at Havasupai Point!




I'm out here all alone on a Friday evening.





I listen to the roar of the rapids thousands of feet below all night.





I hope you don't mind...




...if I share a few photos of the changing light.






















This panorama takes in 311 degrees of view. It tends to make everything seem small. I was the one that felt insignificant out here.





Not many people have ventured out to Havasupai Point, and very few have watched a sunset here.













Not far from Phoenix.




The route from the highway near Tusayan.

Un-freakin-believable shots!!

Hi Dave! It was nice bumping into you. Thanks for coming along. I enjoyed your report also.

Thanks for following another one, @bluestar.

Thanks GB! It's been awhile since I've heard from you in one of my reports.

Yay! @just jeff is in again!

Thanks @RiderRick!

The wait is over @cyclebabble! Well, except waiting for me to post the rest.

Phillip! See? I haven't changed.

Thanks, @Idahohigh!