North Rim - Capes of the Canyon

Routedetails

## [*Official Route Update Coming Fall 2024](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47093452)
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## 
# Detailed Route Guides
- [Capes of the Canyon - Overview Guide](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon.html)
- [North Rim Capes - Full Route Guide](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon-northrim.html)
- [North Rim Passages](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon-north-rim-passages.html)

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# Route Overview

The Capes of the Canyon on the North Rim takes riders from the desert base of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument at 3100 feet to the subalpine meadows and sprawling aspen forests of the Kaibab Plateau at 9200 feet. In-between, it weaves a circumference dirt tour of North Rim viewpoints along the edge of the Grand Canyon. Capes include @poi[Navajo Bridge](79353434), @poi[Badger Creek Rapids](79353453), @poi[Gunsight](79353363), @poi[Jumpup](79353369), @poi[Sowats](79353373), @poi[Thunder River](79353376), @poi[Crazy Jug](79353377), @poi[Monument](79353379), @poi[Parissawampitts](79353380), @poi[Fence](79353381), @poi[Locust](79353382), @poi[North Timp](79353383), @poi[Timp](79353384), @poi[Fire](79353385), @poi[Swamp](79353396), @poi[Point Sublime](79353399), @poi[Bright Angel](79353408), @poi[Point Imperial](79353413), @poi[Vista Encantada](79353415), @poi[Roosevelt](107663589), @poi[Walhalla](107663595), @poi[Angel's Window](79424469), @poi[Cape Royal](79353416), @poi[Nankoweap/Saddle Mountain](79353420), @poi[Marble Viewpoint](79353422), @poi[East Rim](79353425), @poi[Dog](104817750), @poi[Buck Farm](79353444), @poi[Bedrock](81216041), @poi[Twentyseven Mile Rapids](79353462), and down in the Canyon at @poi[Lees Ferry](79353450). The route starts at @point[Lees Ferry](d,24.9) where riders can touch the Colorado River to begin and later finish their rides. Look forward to multiple views of the esplanade along the Kanab Creek Wilderness, the possibility of sleeping in old Forest Service cabins at @poi[Jumpup](79353367) and @poi[Big Springs](79353386), riding across the arid plateau of @point[House Rock Valley](d,965514.71), peering over the bench of @point[Marble Canyon](d,18898.29), and seeing @point[high-altitude meadows](d,562176.4) cupped by conifers.

The goal of the route is to hit every bike-legal track that takes a rider to views of the Grand Canyon along the North Rim, Kaibab Plateau, and Marble Canyon. It provides an additional tour of the Colorado Plateau by way of an extensive network of forest service roads that wind through ponderosas, spruce, firs, aspen, sage, tablelands, and plateaus in and near the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument and the Kaibab National Forest. This route offers remote high-country riding down seldom-visited roads, a chance to bike singletrack along the Grand Canyon at @point[Rainbow Rim](d,492545.5), multiple opportunities for dispersed camping at the rim edge, sections of the @point[Arizona Trail](d,825223.7), and, for those who store their bike on top, the chance to hike down into the inner gorge at notable trailheads within Grand Canyon National Park.

## Recommended Tire Size: 2.5"-2.8"; Minimum Tire Size: 2.3"

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# Riding Seasons:
* BEST TIME: Early Summer (May 15 - June)
* BEST TIME: Fall (September - Mid-October)
* LESS Recommended: Summer/Monsoon Season (July - August)
* NOT Recommended: Winter and Spring (Late October - Early May)
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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 North Rim Capes travels down a trove of Forest Service roads and old doubletrack. Some of the Forest Service roads are regularly maintained, wide, lightly graveled, and sometimes hero dirt. The spurs off of these carry riders down smooth, to chunky, to somewhat decayed doubletrack - especially out to the most remote capes of the route where vehicles infrequently travel. The dirt roads in Grand Canyon National Park are especially poorly maintained. I've been told the USFS puts spending priority on their unpaved roads while the NPS has their unpaved roads on the bottom of the spending list. Overall, there can be extended sections of washboard, ruts, and chunk with ample babyheads. Some of the viewpoints that the North Rim Capes utilizes are very remote and are often littered with tree blowdowns come early summer. The deadfall will get removed, but anyone traveling in the early season may have to go around/over trees until agencies clear them up.

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 real possibility in the lower portions of the route around the @point[Marble Platform](d,976637.49) and @point[House Rock Valley](d,100683.4) - stay safe and stay out of washes or low areas at those times.

The technical difficulty of the route is due to the abundant spread of surfaces that range from pavement, to smooth dirt, to ultra-chunky doubletrack. There are most certainly stretches where several miles will be rugged and rocky. There are also miles of gorgeous wide dirt roads coursing through the woods or across plateaus.

The physical difficulty is mostly due to the climbing. Make no doubt, this route is hilly and often steep. The North Rim Capes travels across the mountainous folds of the Kaibab Plateau; the route ascends to @point[9200 feet](d,569542.1) from the @point[Colorado River at 3100 feet](d,1028112.63). Although most of the roads are gradual, there are long climbs at times. And most salient, almost every cape has to be reached by traveling one-way down a dirt road that invariably descends several hundred to a thousand+ feet. This means that you must immediately turn around and climb back up to rejoin the route's loop. 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 up into the Buckskin Mountains](d,100531,109661.9) from House Rock Valley Road
2. @slice[Ascent up to Jacob Lake](d,260474.7,275067.5)
3. @slice[Climbing up from Jumpup Cabin](d,384743.8,398488.2) to FR 427
4. @slice[Heading up to Demotte](d,519994.3,558385.5) from the end of Rainbow Rim through Dry Park
## 
## Noteworthy Primitive, Rocky Surfaces
1. @slice[The climb up into the Buckskin Mountains](d,102393.7,105109.7) from House Rock Valley Road
2. @slice[Some of the ride to Jumpup Point](d,353674.8,373772.4)
3. @slice[The last part of the road out to Sowats Point](d,427706.9,429518) past the parking area for Jumpup-Nail Trail
4. @slice[Some portions of the Rainbow Rim](d,491651.6,496238.3), especially near Parissawampitts Point
5. @slice[FR 206 down to Quaking Aspen Spring](d,526381.7,528212.5)
6. @slice[The road out to Swamp Point](d,606800.1,631503.9) (especially after monsoons)
7. @slice[The entire road between Point Sublime and the Widforss Trailhead.](d,665300.5,682682.9) This can be quite aweful with washouts, erosion, steep babyhead sections, hike-a-bikes, and chunk.
8. @slice[The descent off the Kaibab Plateau on FR 213](d,875537.1,891964.1) to the Marble Platform can be eroded and steep
9. @slice[There is a good sandy stretch](d,980601.8,988783.7) (ie. fine-grained sinking stuff) when riders return to Highway 89A from the Marble Platform
## 
## Noteworthy Vehicular Pavement
1. @slice[Around the south face of the Vermillion Cliffs/Lees Ferry area](d,926.5,60308.2): Has little shoulder and high speeds on the road, but traffic is typically light. There are good lines-of-sights for both cyclists and drivers.
2. @slice[Leaving Fredonia southwards to the Kaibab Plateau](d,161735.5,260474.7): Has very little traffic. There are good lines-of-sights for both cyclists and drivers.
3. @slice[The ride out to Cape Royal and Point Imperial in Grand Canyon National Park](d,690867.2,764035.8): Is windy, twisty, and has poor lines-of-sight on the curves. Plus, it is heavily vehicled in GCNP. If you choose to ride this portion make sure to ride defensively and wear bright colors. As a heads up, GCNP does not recommend bicyclists on this stretch of road (but it is legal to ride and definitely is ridden).
## 
The North Rim Capes is intended to be ridden in a counterclockwise direction. Park your vehicle in the paved @poi[long-term parking at Lees Ferry](79353449). There is signage at the area, and there is a POI for it on the RWGPS map. Parking is for 30 days max. Although the Parking Limit says 14 days, I've been told it's treated loosely because this is also where rafters leave their vehicles for a 30 day Colorado River trip. Make sure to leave your Park Pass/Permit visible on your dashboard.

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# Water and Food

## Water Reliability Scale
- 1 = unreliable
- 2 = seasonal;
- 3 = mostly reliable;
- 4 = definite source
## 
The scarce nature of water and infrequent food resupplies requires riders to carry several days of resources at a time. The distance between resupplying at @poi[Jacob Lake](79353365) and @poi[Demotte](79353388) alone is 179 route miles. The remote nature of this route means riders need to carefully plan how much food to carry and to expect several days between resupplies. Within the canyon, water exits through numerous springs, but up on top, it's a relatively dry area. Springs may require you to stash your bike on the rim to hike down and retrieve water. The tablelands and canyonlands around the Vermillion Cliffs, House Rock Valley, and Buckskin Mountain are true desertscapes with little reliable surface runoff or pools. 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 at @poi[Lees Ferry Campground](79353435), @poi[Fredonia](79353360), @poi[Jacob Lake](79353365), @poi[Big Springs](107662096), @poi[Demotte](79353388), and the @poi[North Rim Village](79353407) area in GCNP. Beyond that, water is mostly found in dirt cattle tanks, metal cattle tanks, springs, 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).
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area [requires a fee to get to Lees Ferry](https://www.nps.gov/places/lf-entrance.htm). It is an automated fee machine . No cash, credit/debit only. ($30.00 for a vehicle; $15 for a bicycle).
- Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument, Kaibab National Forest, and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument have 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.

Bicycles are prohibited on all Grand Canyon National Park North Rim backcountry roads from December 1 until May 15.  No backcountry permits will be issued prior to May 15 for campsites.  If starting in the early season, time arrival at the Park boundary to be right on May 15.  The Kaibab National Forest permits bicycle travel outside these dates.

Finally, respect tribal land and do not ride without permission in either the lands of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians just outside of Fredonia or the Navajo Nation just across the Colorado River at Marble Canyon. 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 tribes such as 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 is an established camping site at the @poi[North Rim Campground](79353405). The North Rim Campground near the 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. The North Rim Campground is conveniently located next to the the North Rim General Store and is only a short ride away from the @poi[lodging](79353411), @poi[restaurants](79353409), and @poi[Post Office](79353437) (M-F, May 15 - October 15, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm) in the village. @poi[Lees Ferry Campground](79353435) is located within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and also requires camping in the established campground. This campground is first come, first served.

If you want to stay at the backcountry campsites above the rim at @poi[Fire Point](79353385), @poi[Swamp Point](79353396), or @poi[Point Sublime](79353399), you will need to reserve backcountry permits through the @poi[GCNP Backcountry Information Center](109721317) or online at Recreation.gov.  No backcountry permits will be issued prior to May 15 for campsites.  Here are the steps to take to reserve these sites:
1. Head to [Recreation.gov](https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675337) 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 - North Rim" at the top.
4. Choose from the following options:
- NJ1 - Fire Point Campsite - Large or Small Group
- NJ2 - Swamp Point - Campsite - Large or Small Group
- NH1 - Point Sublime - Campsite
# 
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, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, and House Rock Valley, excellent and numerous dispersed camping abounds.  The North Rim is truly one of the most remarkable places to disperse camp right up against the edge of the Canyon at so many locations for those making the remote trek out.  Just make sure to pay attention to boundary lines between Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest.

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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:
- [North Rim Passages](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon-north-rim-passages.html)
- [Overnighters](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/capes-of-the-canyon-overnighters.html)

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