Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Touring
Reload this Page >

Grand Canyon, South Rim

Notices
Touring Have a dream to ride a bike across your state, across the country, or around the world? Self-contained or fully supported? Trade ideas, adventures, and more in our bicycle touring forum.

Grand Canyon, South Rim

Old 07-30-09, 06:45 PM
  #1  
tx
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 11

Bikes: Specialized mountain bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Grand Canyon, South Rim

Hi there,

Just wondering if anybody has toured to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I was curious about the ride from Flagstaff to the Canyon. I will be flying from Dallas to San Diego, going up the coast about 150 miles then start heading east towards home (Dallas). I plan on stopping at the Grand Canyon on my way back. If you have any info that would be great. Thank you
4thedistance is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 09:25 PM
  #2  
Gr8 day 4 hill repeats
 
JustMe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: here > X
Posts: 980
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
When are you doing this, and are you riding from San Diego north to the Oxnard/Ventura area, then heading east?? ANy additional route info??
JustMe is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 09:38 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Wheat Ridge, CO
Posts: 1,076

Bikes: '93 Bridgestone MB-3, '88 Marinoni road bike, '00 Marinoni Piuma, '01 Riv A/R

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I haven't cycled in that area, but I recall the South Rim as being much more developed and crowded than the North Rim. The North Rim would definitely be more worthy of a visit if you can work your itinerary that way.
markf is offline  
Old 07-30-09, 09:58 PM
  #4  
tx
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 11

Bikes: Specialized mountain bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I fly out aug 19th, I was thinking after Santa Monica just keep going north up to San Clarita or maybe San Fernando, then start heading East. Thoughts or comments?

I would love to see the North Rim, South is just going to have to do this trip.
4thedistance is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 11:38 AM
  #5  
tx
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 11

Bikes: Specialized mountain bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
anybody?
4thedistance is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 12:00 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 8,546
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Try PM'ing Jamawani, he's toured there.
valygrl is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 02:26 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
Neil G.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: On my bike
Posts: 99
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Well, it's an Adventure Cycling Route, have you looked there?

Would you really be going from Flagstaff to the Canyon, since the South Rim is west of Flagstaff? It seems like if you're going west-to-east, it would make more sense to use the Adventure Cycling route on the way to the Canyon, and then go through Cameron->Flagstaff on your way out.

I biked in and out of the North Rim in spring, so the Cameron->Flagstaff section would be common between us. From either rim, Cameron is the low point, so you descend a big hill to get there and then climb another big hill back into Flagstaff. The Cameron area is mostly blasted desert, which gets nicer as you return to elevation near Flagstaff along US-89. The western approach on AZ 64 is probably a bit nicer, as it stays at higher elevation the whole way to the rim. Either way you can expect a whole lot of nothing, but that shouldn't be out of the ordinary for you by that point.

Neil
Neil G. is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 02:56 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SF Bay
Posts: 505
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
a few years ago I rode to the south rim from Phoenix via ACA's Grand Canyon Connector Route, but I didn't ride thru Flagg. The GC is amazing, definitely worth a trip! I don't recall the crowds being a problem, except for finding a good spot for your camera at the vistas at sunrise.
bokes is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 04:23 PM
  #9  
Gr8 day 4 hill repeats
 
JustMe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: here > X
Posts: 980
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If you're planning on doing this in August, you're looking at the potential of hot, not just warm, temperatures in conjunction with crossing substantial open expanses of desert. Neil G's observation about the turn off for the so. rim being west of Flagstaff was the reason for my initial inquiry about the intended route. Santa Clarita, CA east to Kingman, AZ is about 250 miles of desert. Once at Kingman, you climb to Williams, where the turnoff is to the so. rim, which is west of Flagstaff. Cameron is a trading post on the Navajo reservation, with some very nice facilities I might add, north of Flagstaff where the junction to the no. rim is. West of Williams, and north of Flagstaff are open expanses of desert with long stretches between facilities. This could be a very trying effort at that time of year if you're not prepared for hot, hostile, environment.
JustMe is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 06:08 PM
  #10  
family on bikes
 
nancy sv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: on my bike between North and South
Posts: 2,376

Bikes: which one?

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
We cycled the South Rim a few years ago, but didn't go through Flagstaff so I can't say anything about that road. What I can say is that the area directly south of the rim is National Forest land and has free camping. Just find a road heading south away from the canyon and head back in there to camp. No need to stay in the jam-packed official campgrounds.
nancy sv is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 06:34 PM
  #11  
tx
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 11

Bikes: Specialized mountain bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thank you all for the help.
4thedistance is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 08:24 PM
  #12  
Sore saddle cyclist
 
Shifty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 3,886

Bikes: Road, touring and mountain

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 8 Posts
I hope you realize how hot it is between Los Angeles and Flagstaff. In August you will most likely die crossing that desert, we are talking serious heat, wind, blowing sand and no water.

Take the train from LA to Flagstaff, then ride to the canyon from there. I'm not kidding.
Shifty is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 11:13 PM
  #13  
BWF
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ouray, Colorado
Posts: 156

Bikes: Touring & Mountain

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I like Shifty's idea of just taking the train here to Flag. In fact you could also take the train from Williams directly to the South Rim and then ride back. Riding from Williams will only allow you to be in the pines for a short time before it opens up to full desert exposure. If instead you ride from Flagstaff out Hwy 180, you get a pretty ride for about 35+ miles of rolling hills passing between Kendrick Peak and the San Francisco Peaks and through aspen and pine forests. In addition to hot temps in the desert during the day, also be ready for cool nights with temps in the 50's. Also beware of the summer monsoons. They are a daily occurance. I got caught in a hail storm today during a high elevation ride just north of Flag. The Canyon gets it too. I would stay away from the Cameron side - very boring and full desert exposure. If you are feeling very adventureous you can actually ride all the way from Flag to the Rim via the original dirt stagecoach road used in the 1890's to buggy tourists up to the Canyon from the BNSF rail station in Flag. There are still busted wagon wheels along the road and historic sign posts. If you choose asphalt, auto traffic is usually light but they motor at high speeds at 70+ mph. The roads are two lane with no shoulder for most of the way. Be careful! Hope you have a great time!
BWF is offline  
Old 07-31-09, 11:42 PM
  #14  
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I was given the advice of always carry water and a jacket in Arizona in summer. When it starts raining in the high desert the temp drops fast and the wind blows hard -- I saw it go from 85 to high 50's in minutes last summer when it started raining.
nokidding? is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.