Capes of the Canyon - North Rim

Capes of the Canyon - South Rim provides a backcountry ride through the southern landscape of Grand Canyon National Park and the 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

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Black = Singletrack
- Yellow = Hiking Trail (must park bike and hike/walk)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement
- Green = Paved Bike Path

For More Rides around Grand Canyon: www.theforrestbiome.com/bright-angel-bikepacking (less)

Gold to Grand Loop takes bikepackers on a desert ride through Gold Butte and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monuments along the Nevada/Arizona border. The route travels across the vast arid basins of the Mojave Desert in addition to tracing and climbing over the pinyon-studded Virgin Mountains. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/gold-to-grand-loop

IMPORTANT PRE-RIDE INFORMATION:
Definite water is available for bikepackers in addition to overnight tent camping at Aravada Springs Campground. But the following procedures MUST be followed:
1) BEFORE RIDING: Each cyclist or group traveling together will need to call the reservation phone number 801-431-4950 (in-season March-November) or 435-994-5537 (out-of-season December - February). Do this BEFORE leaving to start the route as there is no cell phone reception once you head into Gold Butte and the Parashant. Give your name, the number of people arriving with you, what date you plan to arrive, and if you are able to give an approximate time of arrival. This will allow Aravada Springs to make sure the gate is open, that a camp host is available, and that their Ranch Manager is aware of your arrival. The gate is usually open, so hopefully there will not be any issues with it not being open.
2) Identify yourself as a bikepacker. If you just ask for a tent spot, you may receive mixed information.
3) Tent camping will be available for bikepackers. There is an orchard on the northeast end of the pond where tents can be set up. The cost is $20.00 per night, cash-only. When you call to notify Aravada Springs of your visit, you can make arrangements to tent camp.
4) If a camp host is not available for the date you are planning on visiting, you will not be able to stay the night. However, Aravada Springs will still greatly try to accommodate bikepackers stopping to get water as they realize how important it is to be able to have access to water.
5) Aravada Springs is open seasonally from March - November. It is closed seasonally December - February. Bikepackers are welcome to enter the property at any time of year for water.
6) Complete a Bikepacking Registration Form and a Liability Waiver for Aravada Springs. - both are required for every cyclist overnight camping on the property. You can either print them yourself and bring them, or Aravada Springs will have them available in a box next to the registration office. Make sure to place them in the drop box at the registration office in addition to your payment when you leave. There will also be comment cards available if you wish to leave comments or any feedback.

Surface Color Guide
- Red = Dirt Surface (Rugged, Smooth, or Sandy; Variously Maintained; Doubletrack to Wide)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement
- Green = Paved Bike Path
- Yellow = Hiking Trail (must park bike and hike/walk) (less)

***SIGNIFICANT ROUTE IMPACTS FROM THE DRAGON BRAVO AND WHITE SAGE FIRES.

House Rock Wrap takes bikepackers on a wraparound traverse across House Rock Valley to viewpoints of Marble Canyon. Riders can expect to visit and camp rim-side at Pronghorn, Bedrock, South Canyon, Buck Farm, and Triple Alcove points.
Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/house-rock-wrap

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Yellow = Sand (Intermittent with Hard Pack; Mild/Medium Depth)
- Black = Hiking Trail - No Bikes Allowed
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement (less)

Rainbow Rim Overnighter takes riders out to famous Rainbow Rim, which is the sole opportunity for mountain bikers to ride singletrack along the rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/rainbow-rim-overnighter

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Black = Singletrack
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement (less)

Jumpup Epic is a spectacular ride to one of the most remote viewpoints off the North Rim on the Kaibab Plateau. Bikepackers get a chance to stay overnight in historic US Forest Services cabins at Big Springs and Jumpup. They also get to camp rimside at Jumpup Point where views of the crimson Esplanade stretch within the Kanab Creek Wilderness. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/jumpup-epic

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement (less)

Crazy Jug Loco Loop provides riders a chance to camp rim-side at Crazy Jug Point along the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The route also provides short hikes with vast views from Monument Point and Thunder River. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/crazy-jug-loco-loop

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded) (less)

Desert View Declivity takes riders to a chain of viewpoints along the eastern portion of Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim. The route travels down chunky doubletrack and along smooth pavement from overlooks of the Little Colorado River Gorge to Desert View Watchtower. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/desert-view-declivity

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Black = Singletrack
- Yellow = Hiking Trail (must park bike and hike/walk)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement
- Green = Paved Bike Path (less)

Grandview Grand Tour travels down wide dirt roads into the forested heart of the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Natonal Monument before looping along pavement and greenways past viewpoints of Grand Canyon National Park on the South Rim. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/grandview-grand-tour

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Yellow = Hiking Trail (must park bike and hike/walk)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement
- Green = Paved Bike Path
- Black = Singletrack (less)

Hermits Rest is a classic South Rim road ride along pavement and greenway that stops at iconic Grand Canyon viewpoints along the western side of the park.

Full Route Guide: https://ridewithgps.com/ambassador_routes/2918-hermits-rest

Riders start at the entrance to Hermit Road - a paved drive that is only open to buses, pedestrians, and cyclists for most of the year (per Park 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). A climb immediately starts up the west rim that carries cyclists into the pinyon-juniper-ponderosa forest before approaching the rim at Trailview Overlook. Cyclists are encouraged to stop and park their bikes to walk out the short trail to a dramatic viewpoint of the Grand Canyon.

Continuing along Hermit Road keeps riders close to the edge of the chasm. Riders pass by a total of 10 overlook points including: Trailview, Trailview 2, Maricopa, Powell, Hopi, Mohave, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima, and Hermits Rest. All take short hikes along paved trails to these iconic viewpoints.

Once past Monument Creek Vista, cyclists can jump off the shoulder of the road to join the paved Greenway. The route weaves through thickets of woodlands while stopping along several benches prominently facing the Canyon. Riders eventually rejoin the road where a downhill carries them to Hermits Rest. There are bathrooms, seasonal water spigots, and a little ice cream/gift/deli shop. The more adventurous can park their bikes and hike down Hermit Trail into the Grand Canyon. Once finished enjoying the views, riders turn around and ride Hermit Road back to the start.

For More Rides around Grand Canyon: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/bright-angel-bikepacking (less)

El Lobo Lupus takes bikepackers through the high elevation heart of the White Mountains, Blue Range, and Mogollon Rim of eastern Arizona where the Mexican Gray Wolf has been reintroduced. The route name “Lupus” reflects the track’s looping path and its goal of providing riders the opportunity to see Mexican Wolves (Canis lupus baileyi), commonly called "El Lobo."

Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/el-lobo-lupus

Route Datasheet and Sample Itinerary: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nvTf01BywpJkNQvvXSeLIDNxxl-AAqI6fJ19XaLuwMg/edit?usp=sharing

IMPORTANT PRE-RIDE INFORMATION
- Gates are closed annually for the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area from January 1 - May 31. However, I have confirmed from the AZGFD that non-motorized cyclists (no e-bikes) are allowed to go around the gates and ride down the dirt road in May before the gates open (please don't tear up the road if it is muddy). However, the Visitor Center will NOT be open until mid-May so don't stop there before then.
- There are five Restricted Camping Zones along the route where dispersed camping is prohibited: Greer Lakes Recreation Area, Lee Valley Recreation Area, Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area, Black River Recreation Area, and Big Lake Recreation Area. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest allows dispersed camping nearly everywhere else.
- Attitudes About Wolves: There are some real, open, hostile, and even aggressive sentiments against the Mexican Wolf in many places along this route. You'll routinely see signs posted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department offering $48,000 rewards for information leading to individuals illegally killing lobos (and these killings to do happen). You can expect to see posters, signs, banners, poems, and more reflecting some individuals' desires to exterminate or remove the wolves. There is also strong anti-US Forest Service and anti-government sentiment reflected in the decorum of some of the businesses of the towns you pass through. Make no mistake, livestock killings by wolves do happen and it impacts people's lives. Predator reintroduction is complex, difficult, and requires both science, politics, and relationship-building. Make sure to read the social situations you are in and judge how open you want to be about the wolves.
- Black bears are abundant throughout this entire route. Have a sure and proven method to safely secure and store your food each evening when you camp. This could be a bear hang, a bear canister, or a bear-resistant bag. All the campgrounds require food storage and have signs posted everywhere about being in "bear country."

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Black = Singletrack
- Yellow = Hiking Trail (must park bike and hike/walk)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement (less)

***SIGNIFICANT ROUTE IMPACTS FROM THE WHITE SAGE FIRE

Vermilion Cliffs Condor Tour takes bikepackers along the red butte-faces of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and climbs through the aspens and pines of the northern Kaibab Plateau. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/vermilion-cliffs-condor-tour

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement (less)

***SIGNIFICANT ROUTE IMPACTS FROM THE DRAGON BRAVO FIRE
- Alternative Route --> https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54436092

Point Sublime Loop takes bikepackers on a loop out to remote and iconic Point Sublime in Grand Canyon National Park. This viewpoint is famous for its campsite on the North Rim where a night is spent on a fin of land jutting into the chasm. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/point-sublime-loop

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Black = Singletrack
- Yellow = Hiking Trail (must park bike and hike/walk)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement
- Green = Dirt Multi-Use Path (less)

South Bass Scenic Divide is a rare opportunity for bikepackers to camp on the edge of Grand Canyon's South Rim in an area excluding cars. The route provides a tour from Grand Canyon Village out to remote Havasupai Point by way of pinyon-juniper woodlands and sage-filled grasslands. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/south-bass-scenic-divide

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement
- Green = Paved Bike Path
- Yellow = Hiking Trail (must park bike and hike/walk) (less)

***SIGNIFICANT ROUTE IMPACTS FROM THE DRAGON BRAVO FIRE

East Rim Edge is a chance to bike out to four capes on the eastern portion of the Kaibab Plateau. The views are expansive and far as you gaze out across the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah National Monument, Marble Canyon, Grand Canyon, Navajo Mountain, Vermilion Cliffs, and even the distant Grand Staircase Escalante. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/east-rim-edge

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Black = Singletrack
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement (less)

Kaibab Spine is a high-elevation ride across the sprawling montane and subalpine forests and meadows of the Kaibab Plateau on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/kaibab-spine

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Blue = Vehicular Pavement (less)

Red Butte Wii'i Gdwiisa Tour takes bikepackers on a loop ride out to culturally significant Red Butte in the heart of the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument. This rise of rock is iconic amid the pinyon-juniper grasslands against the skyline of the South Rim; it is also considered the birthplace of the Havasupai people. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/red-butte-wiii-gdwiisa-tour

Surface Color Guide
- Purple = Improved Dirt Surface (Frequently Maintained, Usually Smoother)
- Red = Rugged Dirt Surface (Infrequently Maintained, Typically Rougher/Rockier)
- Brown = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- Yellow = Hiking Trail (must park bike and hike/walk)
- Green = Paved Bike Path (less)

Anita Station Doubletrack takes riders from the pinyon-juniper forests at the southern portion of the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument out to the swaying grasslands where the Grand Canyon Railroad travels. Full Route Guide: https://ridewithgps.com/ambassador_routes/2893-anita-station-doubletrack

Riders start right off HWY 180 where a pullout provides easy parking. Cyclists travel down the wide, smooth dirt of FR 347 before turning south on primitive and rocky doubletrack. This doubletrack meets up with wider/smoother doubletrack in Little Red Horse Wash. The doubletrack carries riders south and west, tracing the National Monument boundary. The terrain can be rocky, rutted, and silty in places. Careful not to ride this route when it's wet because it will become peanut butter mud. Riders will pass by abandoned Copper Queen Mine where tailings and historic equipment can be found.

Near the southwest portion of the route, the route leaves the national monument to head into State Trust Land. Here, the terrain evens out as expansive grasslands provide views in all directions. The doubletrack becomes smooth and lovely as it comes up and parallels the Grand Canyon Railroad heading north. Out near Anita Station, the doubletrack joins wide dirt FR 347. Riders turn east and join the fantastic dirt road that climbs back up into the pinyon-junipers and across sage fields to the finish.

Further Rides around Grand Canyon: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/bright-angel-bikepacking (less)