South Rim - Capes of the Canyon

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Grand Canyon, AZ

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Forrest Radarian

Arizona + Grand Canyon - Bikepacking and Adventure Riding

382 km

3 678 m

The Capes of the Canyon on the South Rim provides a backcountry ride through the southern landscape of Grand Canyon National Park and Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument. From pinyon-juniper grasslands blanketing the base of Red Butte to towering ponderosa stands along the Coconino Rim that spill to limestone at Canyon edge, this route provides bikepackers an opportunity to see the Grand Canyon region. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon-southrim.html

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# Detailed Route Guides
- [Capes of the Canyon - Overview Guide](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon.html)
- [South Rim Capes - Full Route Guide](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon-southrim.html)
- [South Rim Passages](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon-south-rim-passages.html)
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# Route Overview
The Capes of the Canyon on the South Rim provides a backcountry ride through the southern landscape of Grand Canyon National Park and Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument. From pinyon-juniper grasslands blanketing the base of Red Butte to towering ponderosa stands along the Coconino Rim that spill to limestone at Canyon edge, this route provides bikepackers an opportunity to see the Grand Canyon region. The goal of the route is to hit every bike-legal track that takes a rider to views of the Grand Canyon along the South Rim. The bonus is a backcountry ride though the arid evergreen woodlands and exposed highland geology of the Colorado Plateau along the way. Capes include the @poi[Little Colorado River Gorge](73732396), @poi[Desert View](73732401), @poi[Navajo](73732404), @poi[Lipan](73732405), @poi[Moran](73732407), @poi[Grandview](73732408), @poi[Duck on a Rock](73732409), @poi[Shoshone](73732410), @poi[Yaki](73732411), @poi[Pipecreek Vista](73732415), @poi[Mather](73732419), @poi[Yavapai](73732420), @poi[Trailview Overlook](73732434), @poi[Maricopa](73732435), @poi[Powell](73732436), @poi[Hopi](73732437), @poi[Mohave](73732438), @poi[The Abyss](73732447), @poi[Monument Creek Vista](73732439), @poi[Pima](73732441), @poi[Hermit's Rest](73732446), @poi[South Bass](73732457), and @poi[Havasupai](73732459).

Riders start in the conifers of @point[Tusayan, AZ](d,161.99) before descending to grasslands for a perimeter ride around sage-swathed @poi[Red Butte](73732389). Heading east, cyclists ride through ponderosa forests and across the vast pinyon-juniper savannas of @point[Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument](d,96007.55) before climbing to the high point of the route at 7,500 feet near @poi[Grandview](73732393) and its namesake fire tower. Here, bikepackers can catch glimpses of the red-washed Canyon heart through the dark evergreens of the forest. Riders descend and trace the base of the @point[Coconino Rim](d,145444.79) before getting a view of the @poi[Little Colorado River Gorge](73732396). After entering @poi[Grand Canyon National Park](73732397), bikepackers get their first expansive view of the Canyon at @poi[Desert View](73732401). Catch glimpses of the Colorado River pulsing with sediment down its spine. Cyclists continue along a spread of twenty-two South Rim capes, ride out through plains of sage to remote @poi[South Bass](73732457), and then plunge back into the forest before returning to Tusayan. For bikepackers camped at the more remote areas on the route, stare up at the stars each night for exceptional Dark Skies and clear views of the Milky Way.

## Recommended Tire Size: 2.5"-2.8"; Minimum Tire Size: 2.3"
## 
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# Riding Seasons:
* BEST TIME: Spring/Early Summer (Late April - Early June)
* BEST TIME: Fall (September - October)
* POTENTIALLY POSSIBLE: Summer/Monsoon Season (Late June - August)
* NOT Recommended: Winter (November - Mid April)
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# Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (2WD, Wider, Smoother, Better Maintained, Intact, Graded, etc.)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (4WD, Doubletrack, Rough, Less Maintained, etc.)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Particularly Rocky, Rutted, and Eroded)
- Black = Singletrack
- Yellow = Sand (Intermittent with Hard Pack; Mild/Medium Depth)
- Blue = Vehicle Pavement
- Green = Paved Bike Path

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# Surface Conditions and Route Difficulty

The South Rim Capes mostly sticks to forest service dirt roads. These roads can be smoother, broad, and are frequently better-maintained near highways and pavement. The roads found deeper in the heart of the Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument quickly become less-maintained doubletrack that feature sections of washboard, ruts, and limestone rock. There are sections of more primitive rutted-roads out by South Bass Trailhead and Havasupai Point; the National Park Service rarely upkeeps these roads. Some portions of the more remote dirt roads on the route can have tree blowdowns over the winter: be prepared to go around these obstacles. Most of the capes on this route are reached via the large stretches of pavement built along the South Rim. The pavement is in good condition, but there is very little shoulder. Be defensive, wear bright colors, and use flashing lights. When possible, the route takes paved bike paths throughout the South Rim Village.

If any rain/snow is forecast, most of the unpaved route will become peanut butter/death mud and impassable in places. Leave No Trace and avoid riding at these times until the route dries out. In addition, flash flooding from precipitation is a possibility in washes or low areas - stay safe and stay out of those locations during monsoon rain dumps.

The technical difficulty of the route is due to the abundance of 4x4 roads that the South Rim Capes utilizes. The route travels a mix of wide, maintained 2WD USFS dirt roads, limestone chunky 4x4 doubletrack, and frequent pavement along the Rim. A lot of the roads are serviced yearly by the National Forest Service, but some rarely have work done and can become rutted/eroded in wet conditions.

The physical difficulty is mostly due to the climbing. Most of the route is found on the regularly rolling terrain of the Coconino Plateau that stretches between Flagstaff and the South Rim. The elevation profile of the route puts the low point at 6000 feet near @point[Anita Station](d,33450.6) in the southwest corner and the high point at 7500 feet at @point[Grandview Tower](d,135478.4) and again at @point[Desert View](d,190616.46) along the northeast portions. In-between, riders can expect to climb and descend regularly across hills and drainages. And most salient, almost every cape has to be reached by ascending one-way up a road to the Rim. You will think about this each time you head to a cape. But take succor in knowing that those views of the Grand Canyon are well worth it.

## Noteworthy Climbs
1. @slice[Climbing the Coconino Rim](d,111823.1,135594.8) to Grandview Tower along the Rim Road
1. @slice[Ascending to Desert View](d,178075.5,189276.5) when entering Grand Canyon National Park along Highway 64
1. @slice[Riding up to Grandview Point](d,205637.7,213713.9) along Highway 64 from the bottom of Desert View Drive
1. @slice[Getting to South Bass and Havasupai Point](d,299382.6,316049.4) from the start of the boundary fence
## 
## Noteworthy Primitive, Rocky Surfaces
1. @slice[A short ride on FR 347E](d,42469.4,44862) to get to Little Red Horse Wash
2. @slice[The ride out to the Little Colorado River Gorge (Cape 1)](d,163455.2,169228.3) can be extremely rocky, rutted, primitive, and overgrown in places.
3. @slice[FR 2501 on the way to South Bass](d,282387.8,289867.1) can be chock full of limestone chunks and eroded.
4. @slice[The out-and-back on the doubletrack along the boundary fence](d,299382.6,302425.1) with the Havasupai Nation is full of babyheads, steep descents, and one absolute hike-a-bike both ways.
5. @slice[FR 334 and FR 3223](d,351369.3,353757.8) heading up Coconino Wash
## 
## Noteworthy Vehicular Pavement
1. @slice[All of Highway 64/East Rim Drive](d,178075.5,233778.5): This is a long stretch of highway pavement with little shoulder, hills, and curves. It stretches from just outside Grand Canyon National Park at the bottom of the climb to Desert View all the way to the South Kaibab Trailhead. The portion outside the National Park has a fantastic and broad shoulder for cyclists to ride in. This shoulder almost entirely disappears once cyclists enter the Park. Wear bright colors, ride defensively, and have a flashing light. This stretch of pavement is frequented by cyclists and is a part of the official Grand Canyon Connector by the Adventure Cycling Association. Luckily, most of the viewpoints/parking areas require side-spur-roads meaning people will likely be keeping their eyes on the road while driving. There are lots of pull-outs and parking areas for you to get off the road for breaks, views, and capes too.
2. @slice[South Rim Village](d,240932.7,244671.8): Mostly short spurts along a road with lots of traffic but good lines-of-sight. You quickly are on and off this road in-between sections of paved bike path.
3. @slice[West Rim Drive to Hermit's Rest](d,247045.3,265396.7): No cars are allowed for the majority of the year save for shuttle buses. Cyclists frequently ride this awesome stretch of tarmac that features some of the best capes of the route. Plus, there is a paved greenway that you can jump on for part of the ride. By policy, cyclists MUST dismount and get their bodies and bikes off the road and onto the sides when a bus is passing - this is for the safety of the buses and you. Be courteous and do so.
## 
The South Rim Capes is intended to be ridden in a counterclockwise direction. Park your car for the duration of the route at the @poi[Grand Canyon Visitor Center - IMAX](73732382) in Tusayan, AZ. You may park anywhere on the paved parking area, but not the gravel lot. Make sure to check into the Visitor Center with your (a) car make, (b) car model, (c) license plate number, and (d) expected return date; just let them know you're riding the COTC. If the center isn’t open, leave a note on your dashboard saying, “Bikepacking the Capes of the Canyon Route - Expected return date XX/XX/XXXX." The Center is open seven days a week from 9 am - 6 pm.

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# Water and Food

## Water Reliability Scale
- 1 = unreliable 
- 2 = seasonal;
- 3 = mostly reliable; 
- 4 = definite source
## 
Outside of the start and end in Tusayan, there are only 2 food resupplies mid-route. Riders need to plan several days of food between these points. Plan to carry several liters of water, sometimes enough to last at least 24 hours and more than you think you'll need should you arrive at a source and find it dry. Definite water can be found in the town of @point[Tusayan](d,306.56), at @poi[Desert View in GCNP](73732402), and in @point[Grand Canyon Village](d,239825.96) within GCNP. Beyond that, water is mostly found in dirt cattle tanks, metal cattle tanks, and Arizona Game and Fish Water Catchments.

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# Fees and Permits:
- Grand Canyon National Park [requires a fee for entry](https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/fees.htm). No cash, credit/debit only. ($35 for a vehicle; $20 for a bicycle).
- Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument/Kaibab National Forest has no fees.
- A [Recreational Land Use Permit](https://land.az.gov/applications-permits) is required for any travel or camping on Arizona State Lands. Apply for and pay for one before you head out on the route. Carry it with you.
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# General Access:
Bikes are STRICTLY forbidden below the rim in the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon. DO NOT RIDE YOUR BIKE DOWN INTO THE CANYON - you will get fined, it is illegal, and you will hurt the perception and opportunities of other bikepackers on this route. There are certain trails on top that are also off-limits to bikes; this route expressly avoids them. No cross-country travel in Grand Canyon National Park; practicing Leave No Trace means staying on established trails, roads, and paths.

Finally, respect tribal land and do not ride without permission in either the Havasupai or the Navajo Nations. This route stays explicitly within land domains where riding is public and legal. Although it may approach boundaries with the surrounding tribal nations, you should never ride onto the reservations without securing tribal government permission. Doing so otherwise is disrespectful and unlawful. I must note that although this route stays on "public lands," the formation of Grand Canyon National Park involved the forced removal of the Havasupai, and they have endured legal battles to keep their vastly smaller chunk of land out of their historical precedent. Know the land you are riding on is traditionally theirs, know their current reservation boundaries are smaller than where they historically inhabited, and know where you are riding to keep yourself both legal and respectful.

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# Camping:
There is no dispersed camping within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park. However, there are several well-established sites including @poi[Desert View](73732399) and @poi[Mather Campgrounds](73732422). Desert View does not have hiker/biker sites, so plan to reserve ahead of time if you want to camp there. Mather Campground in Grand Canyon Village has a fantastic hiker/biker site for walk-ups arriving by foot or bicycle. The hiker/biker site is shared with other cyclists and backpackers and costs $6 per night per person. Mather Campground is conveniently located next to the @poi[Post Office](73732425) (M - F, 8 - 3:30 pm), the @poi[General Store](73732424), a @poi[Chase Bank ATM](73732426), @poi[Yavapai Lodge + Tavern](73732427), and a bus stop.

If you want to stay at the backcountry campsites above the rim at @poi[South Bass Trailhead](73732457) or near @poi[Havasupai Point](73732459), you will need to reserve backcountry permits through the @poi[GCNP Backcountry Information Center](73732433).  These permits require a walk-up at the BIC.  As these sites are not accessible by vehicle, there is a high chance of achieving a walk-up permit. However, you can check site availability online by doing the following:

1. Head to Recreation.gov for Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permits.
2. Click “Check Availability” under Available Permits on the right hand side.
3. Choose the button tab “Above Rim Areas - South Rim” at the top.
4. Examine the following options:
    - SE1 - Signal Hill - Campsite
    - SE2 - Ruby Point - Campsite
    - SE3 - South Bass Trailhead - Campsite - Large or Small Group

# 
If you want to backcountry camp anywhere else above the Rim in Grand Canyon National Park, you'll need to navigate to the same link above and make sure to choose the proper Use Area.  This [Use Area Map](https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/useAreaMap.pdf) will help you determine which zone is appropriate for your intended backcountry campsite.

Outside of GCNP in the the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument/Kaibab National Forest, excellent and numerous dispersed camping abounds.  Make sure not to camp in the noted Private Properties and pay attention to boundary lines between the National Monument and Grand Canyon National Park.

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# Shorter Route Options:
Looking for a shorter route, overnighter, or day ride on the Capes of the Canyon?  Check out the options below:
- [South Rim Passages](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon-south-rim-passages.html)
- [Overnighters](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon-overnighters.html)

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