Description
Section-ride the entirety of the North Rim Capes of the Canyon over time or explore the region. These routes are designed for riders who:
- (a) Don't have enough time/money for the full routes in one continuous trip but instead want to section-ride the Passages over time.
- (b) Are new to bikepacking and feel more comfortable taking on shorter Passages of the routes.
- (c) Want to explore the Grand Canyon region on day rides.
- (d) Have narrow weather windows outside of the optimal seasons for riding the whole routes.
***NOTE: Overnighters are being updated. When a route is not finalized, it will say "ROUGH DRAFT" in the RWGPS map name, and it will not be fully detailed below.
Finalized and polished routes are fully featured below.
Finalized and polished routes are fully featured below.
North Rim Passages List
- Passage 1: Jacob Lake
- Passage 2: Vermilion Cliffs (Short Version)
- Passage 2: Vermilion Cliffs (Long Version)
- Passage 3: Buckskin Mountains
- Passage 4: Gunsight
- Passage 5: Big Springs
- Passage 6: Jumpup
- Passage 7: Sowats and Thunder River
- Passage 8: Crazy Jug
- Passage 9: Rainbow Rim
- Passage 10: Dry Park
- Passage 11: Fire and Swamp
- Passage 12: Point Sublime
- Passage 13: Cape Royal
- Passage 14: East Rim
- Passage 15: Demotte and Dog
- Passage 16: Spine of the Kaibab
Passage 6: Jumpup
Passage 6: Jumpup is remote and spectacular; it may be the most distant portion of the entire North Rim Capes. Riders start by passing (or even lodging the night before/after the route) by Big Springs with its famous cabin site and reliable gushing spring of water. Cyclists then ride out to the Jumup Divide past grasslands and down gullys. From here, it's an out-and-back ride to Jumpup Point as it juts straight into the heart of the Kanab Creek Wilderness. Camp on the rim edge for the night! Then, return the way you came and head downhill for a turnoff to stay at Jumpup Cabin (reservations required). Or continue on and climb back into the pines before a big downhill to the end. There are many reliable water sources on this route. Ride prepared and be self-sufficient as there is a lot of rocky doubletrack out to the cape and you are unlikely to run into other travelers.
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Passage 8: Crazy Jug
Passage 8: Crazy Jug provides riders a chance to camp rim-side at Crazy Jug Point along the Grand Canyon. The route has two potential start points: (a) FR 22 and (b) Big Springs. If starting off FR 22, start with a big descent down Big Sowats Canyon before merging with FR 425. It's a straightforward ride from here out to Cape 7 Crazy Jug which also is a stellar place to camp. Then, it's over to Cape 8 Monument Point with short hike out on the Bill Hall Trail before turning around and riding some rocky doubletrack out to Parissawampitts Spring (this is the only water source along the route - make sure to carry many liters with you if you decide to dry camp or just in case this source isn't running). Continue on a climb back up to FR 22 to finish the loop.
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Passage 9: Rainbow Rim
Passage 9: Rainbow Rim is famous for being the sole opportunity for mountain bikers to ride singletrack along the rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The route starts on well-maintained FR 214 for a full downhill to Cape 9: Parissawampitts Point and the start of the singletrack. Although a little chunky at first, the tread smooths out as it weaves and flows along the Canyon edge and through thickets of aspen and pine. Riders hit up Capes 9 -13 - all of which provide rim-side camping opportunities and stellar views. Finish by riding FR 206 up Quaking Aspen Canyon and its namesake spring to close the loop.
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Passage 12: Point Sublime
Passage 12: Point Sublime is a loop out to one of the most famous and hard-to-reach capes on the Grand Canyon. It's also an opportunity to spend a night out camped on a fin land jutting into the chasm. Start the route at Demotte where a climb up to the Kaibab Plateau High Point at 9200 ft. is proceeded by a long descent towards Kanabownits Canyon and its namesake historic lookout tower. Then, it's a ride out to Point Sublime where a permit (*see below) can be secured for rim-side camping from the National Park. Riders will head back inland and cross The Basin (look for bison!) along rocky and eroded doubletrack before arriving at the North Kaibab Trailhead and its reliable water faucet. Riders then head north along miles of smooth AZT singletrack with a side-ride to the North Rim Lookout Tower. Finally, bikepackers merge with well-maintained FR 610 to finish the loop back at Demotte. Water is scarce on this route (only the North Kaibab TH has definite water) and may require 24 hours of carrying, so bring several liters; the camping will be dry at Point Sublime.
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Passage 17: Buck Farm
Passage 17: Buck Farm provides bikepackers a slow ascent up from the grassy platform of House Rock Valley to a pinyon-juniper forest at the base of Saddle Mountain. Riders pass by Nankoweap Trailhead (arguably the hardest trail in Grand Canyon National Park) along a lollipop loop that passes by some solid water sources before hitting rim-side camping at Cape 28 Buck Farm Viewpoint.
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Passage 18: Bedrock
Passage 18: Bedrock is a 45 mile loop to two capes along Marble Canyon at Cape 29 Bedrock Point and Cape 30 Twentyseven Mile Rapids Overlook. Bikepackers head across the grassy expanses of House Rock Valley, catch some good water at Buffalo Tank, and then can camp rim-side at several locations. There are short spurts of fine-grained sand in places, so larger tires might be appreciated. Beyond that, the roads are in great condition and quickly carry riders below the flanks of the North Rim.
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*Based on Bikepacking Roots Route Rating Scale
