Grand Canyon Mountain Biking
6 days
From $ 1949
Duration6 days
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  • Etepia
  • Grand Canyon Mountain Biking

Six days of epic mountain biking around Grand Canyon National Park on the iconic Rainbow Rim and Arizona trails. Explore one of the most magnificent, awe-inspiring and remote wonders of our National Park System, the “grandest” of parks, Grand Canyon National Park. The less-traveled, north rim is a mountain biker’s paradise. The journey unfolds from Jacob Lake where we will ride the legendary Arizona Trail toward the canyon, camping in the remoteness and taking in the star-filled skies. From there, we head to the North Rim, where we ride the Rainbow Rim Trail—a ribbon of smooth singletrack with views of the canyon’s splendor. Replenish all the calories burned on trail with three fresh, hearty meals and bathe the day’s grime away in solar showers before laying your head down peering up at constellation-covered skies on the rim of the Grand Canyon. On the final day of our journey, we ride and watch for wildlife in the Kaibab National Forest before returning to civilization with an awesome experience under our belts.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 6 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Alkali Lake
    Ages: 18+

Itinerary

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Day 1: Ride the holy grail of singletrack to Kaibab National Forest.
Meet your guides and fellow trip members at 1:00pm at the Jacob Lake Inn near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. From here we’ll caravan a few minutes down the road to the Arizona Trail trailhead to leave our cars and get fitted on our mountain bikes. This afternoon’s ride takes us on a steady climb into the beautiful ponderosa pines of Kaibab National Forest. We will find a pretty spot to setup camp and enjoy a delicious meal to fuel us for this week’s adventures. Dinner included.
Cycling: 8 miles, elevation gain/loss: 1,135’/126’; Shuttle: 20 minutes (1.25 hours to Flagstaff).
Meals: D
Day 2: Venture through lush woodlands and aspen groves to East Rim Viewpoint.
A full day of adventure is in store as we continue on the Arizona Trail. Rolling terrain through mixed pinyon and juniper woodlands, sagebrush and grassland communities, and Ponderosa pine forests mixed with aspen groves make this ride a beautiful cruise. We’ll camp tonight and tomorrow near the East Rim Viewpoint where there are dramatic views of Saddle Mountain Wilderness, House Rock Valley, Marble Canyon and the Navajo Nation. All meals included.
Cycling: 22 miles, elevation gain/loss: 2,242’/1,961’; Hike: 1 mile (optional).
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Finish the Arizona Trail, lunch alfresco and behold a grand sunset.
Today we complete our journey along the Arizona Trail and east rim of the Kaibab Plateau by riding the final stretch to the Grand Canyon National Park border. We’ll find a scenic spot for lunch and return to camp along a different route for a fun loop ride. Camp our second night at the East Rim Viewpoint and enjoy the gorgeous sunset vistas. All meals included.
Cycling: 15 miles, elevation gain/loss: 1,056’/1,051’.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Explore the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim.
Enjoy an easier, mostly paved route toward the park lodge that still gives you some decent miles but on a mostly downhill route then shuttle into the park. Or take a day off the bike to recover and explore the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge, visitor center, and a self-guided hike if desired; take the shuttle. We’ll all meet back up for showers and shuttle to the west rim of the Kaibab Plateau where we’ll set up camp for the next two nights. Breakfast and dinner included.
Cycling: 21 miles, elevation gain/loss: 835’/1,418’; Shuttle: 90 minutes.
Meals: D
Day 5: Singletrack amidst awe-inspiring overlooks along Rainbow Rim Trail.
Wake to bird songs and chattering squirrels as you start your first day of riding along the smooth, flowing singletrack of the Rainbow Rim trail. We'll ride from camp, pedaling past Locust Point, Fence Point, and the spectacular Paraswampitts Point overlooks. Each lookout affording its own breathtaking view and perspective of the majestic canyon. Our route winds back along remote meandering singletrack where we find our camp for another night. Relax and settle in for another delicious guide prepared dinner. Our last night camping under the clear dark skies of the North Rim. All meals included.
Cycling: 29 miles, elevation gain/loss: 2,565’/2,561’.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: A final ride in paradise then shuttle to Jacob Lake.
The adventure isn’t over yet with our final morning of riding the North Rim. Our last ride starts with a couple short miles on Forest Service road that hooks us onto the southern segment of the Rainbow Rim Trail. Enjoy flowing singletrack miles on this rolling ride along the rim back to camp. Afterwards we’ll finish packing up and enjoy a light lunch before transferring back to Jacob Lake for drop offs. Breakfast and lunch included.
Cycling: 10 miles, elevation gain/loss: 543’/550’; Shuttle: 90 minutes (3.25 hours to Flagstaff).

End place: Alkali Lake

Meals: B, L

Inclusions

Included

  • Front Suspension mountain bike
  • 2 professional guides
  • park fees and permits
  • tent
  •  sleeping pad
  • group cooking and camping gear
  • group first aid kit
  • all meals as noted in itinerary
  • snacks, beverages
  • water, soft drinks, electrolyte mix
  • saddle bag with emergency tool kit

  • Accommodation

    Front country campground, 1 night, Primitive camping on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Arizona Trail, 4 nights

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