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Arizona Trail: Grand Canyon to Utah, Day 1

Along the Arizona Trail between Grand Canyon and the Utah state line you’ll discover outstanding singletrack, phenomenal views, and beautiful forests and meadows that seldom see human visitors.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
19 km
Ascent
511 m
Descent
281 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
2.5 km
High Point
2.8 km
Gradient
Arizona Trail: Grand Canyon to Utah, Day 1 Map

One of Arizona’s least visited natural wonders lies hidden on the Kaibab Plateau north of Grand Canyon National Park. Along the Arizona Trail between Grand Canyon and the Utah state line you’ll discover outstanding singletrack, phenomenal views, and beautiful forests and meadows that seldom see human visitors. This area is only accessible between May and November as winter can bury the entire plateau in snow for over half the year.

Description

This was the first segment of Arizona Trail to be designated in the 1980s and remains one of the most significant portions of trail in the state. After four days of riding you’ll understand why. While the first two days include rolling terrain at high elevation, the last two are mostly downhill. The highpoint of this ride on Day 1 is above 9,150 ft. and the lowpoint on day 4 is at 5,000 feet. Riders of all ability levels will appreciate this AZT Expedition, including beginners who don’t mind sucking a little wind at altitude.

Day One

Our first day we’ll meet at 7:00am at Flag Bike Revolution. This ride begins as dramatically as it ends, and before you climb aboard your bike and begin riding north you’ll want to take a short walk down the North Kaibab Trail and see one of the seven natural wonders of the world from its most spectacular vantagepoint. Peering into Bright Angel Canyon from the North Rim might be one of the best views in the world, but it’s only one of three unforgettable viewpoints you’ll experience over the next four days. The first ten miles of this day’s ride gain over 1,000 feet in elevation, which is no easy task considering you start above 8,000 feet. The trail rises and falls (but mostly rises) in and out of small drainages before entering the Kaibab National Forest. We’ll make camp here and allow you to catch your breath for the next day. Ride length is 13 miles.

For more information and to book a tour, visit: http://aztexpeditions.com/portfolio/grand-canyon-to-utah.html

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between May and November

Features

  • Technical
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area