On our way from Sierra Vista, Arizona to Gila National Forest in New Mexico we made a stop in Tombstone, Arizona… where we took a ride back in time. Check out the Camp Hope Riders circa 1881.
From Phoenix we made our way south into southern Arizona. On our way down we were met by Cesar in Tucson. He rode in from and escorted us back down to Sierra Vista where we were spending the evening and meeting up again with some of our riders. Chris and Derek had ridden in from Las Vegas, and Kristen who had decided to join us again and continue the ride out east was staying with a friend in the area and waiting for our arrival. Besides hooking-up with some of our riders, we also met with and spent time with several other friends—among them Mary, Gale and Diane.
The high desert in Southern Arizona is always strikingly beautiful and there are some great places to visit in the area. Tomorrow on our way out we’ll hit one of them… Tombstone.
See you then.
Eating out with friends in Sierra Vista
We left Flagstaff, Arizona on our way to Phoenix via US Highway 89 and 89 Alternate through Sedona, Jerome and Prescott Valley. The ride from Flagstaff to Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon was absolutely spectacular with all the fall colors. This portion of the ride is a definite must, and if you ask me the perfect time to see it is during autumn.
After leaving Prescott Valley, we made our way to Phoenix where we were spending the night and I was going to meet a friend. Tyson and I drove into Scottsdale where we ate at great local eatery—The Salty Señorita. If you find yourself in the area, stop in, have a Long Island Margarita and say hi to Brie.
A shot from Sedona
Tyson and I on our way to the Salty Senorita
OK… as I had mentioned in my last post the elevation change from the Cottonwood campground to the North Kaibab trailhead is over 4000 feet. The trailhead is at 8250 feet and what was difficult coming down was grueling hiking back up.
Towards the end, AJ got a second-wind and seemed to be skipping up to the top like some Sherpa chanting a Tibetan mantra. Miraculously, dragging myself up to the top just took about ½ an hour longer than climbing down the day before.
After successful resuscitation efforts—don’t worry, no crash-cart was necessary, just some Fig Newtons and trail mix—I was able to get my bike and join up with AJ who was ahead of me by a couple of minutes. We changed, packed up, and got on the road.
Leaving the park we headed down US Highway 89 and 89 Alternate on our way to Flagstaff, Arizona where we’ll meet up with Ron and Wayne. The ride was beautiful. The highway travels past the Vermillion Cliffs and Lee’s Ferry, Arizona—the beginning of the Grand Canyon.
Tomorrow we continue down 89 Alternate from Flagstaff through Sedona, Arizona on our way to Phoenix.
More to come…
The Vermillion Cliffs
AJ and I woke up, got our packs ready, rode our bikes over to the Backcountry Office and hiked over to the Kaibab trailhead to start our trek.
I’ve never been to the North Rim, all my visits to the Grand Canyon had been to the more commercial South Rim, but a tip from a Service Consultant during my service stop in Rapid City, South Dakota brought us here. I must say I’m glad we followed her advice.
The view from the top of the Grand Canyon's North Kaibab trail
So, off of the trailhead we began our descent. We were taking it slow, no need to rush down. Besides we had plenty of time, we were only going down to the Cottonwood Campground—7.2 miles and just over 4000 feet of elevation change. The first thing you notice, other than the amount of air you’re sucking up at this altitude during the descent—8250 feet at the trailhead—is the amount of air the hikers during their ascent are sucking as we pass them by. Yikes! What were we thinking?
Scenes as we descend in the canyon on the North Kaibab trail... 7 miles and over 4000 feet of elevation change
AJ sporting the latest packing fashion in Sherpa wear
As I was feeling sorry for myself, we ran into some ultra-marathon runners, four ladies, on a leisurely run. It was one of their birthdays, and they were all celebrating by running from the South Rim to the North Rim and back… in ONE DAY!!! It’s 28 miles from the North Rim to the river and back and another 18 from the South to the river and back. That’s 46 miles and I haven’t even mentioned the elevation changes—6000 from the North Rim and I believe it’s 5000 from the South… in ONE DAY!!!
Anyway, as I had mentioned in yesterday’s post, services were beginning to shut down on the North Rim and one of the water stops on the North Kaibab trail was one of those services affected. These ladies were in need of some water during this grueling ascent and we just happened to be there to help. You ask, “What’s the cost of water on the trail?” Well, put it to you this way, they now know about Camp Hope. Check out one of their Blogs and you can read about their experience and our encounter. I think it’s the 9th or 10th paragraph. http://devoncrosbyhelms.com/2009/10/grand-canyon-rim-to-rim-to-rim-run.html
So, we continued down feeling a little less sorry for ourselves. Of course the beauty around you helps to keep your mind off of it. You just need to remember to stop and look. Wouldn’t want to be distracted on some of these switchbacks… No, no, noooo, NO!
More scenes as we descend in the canyon on the North Kaibab trail
We got down to the campground and rested for a good hour before setting up camp, eating and venturing off for another hike. All I could think… How do these ladies do it?!?
As night begins to descend in the canyon
The Grand Canyon is a must, but you have to hike down into it to truly experience it.
For those of you have having trouble keeping track of everyone… here’s the breaks down.
Chris originally peeled off from the group in California after Clovis, and then we briefly met up with him in Vegas. He’ll be joining us again in Sierra Vista, Arizona. We lost Dave in California when we arrived in San Diego. We’ll be seeing him again in Florida, date and length of stay yet to be determined. Derek had service performed in Vegas and had to stay due to the amount of work being performed and the time required to complete it. He’ll be hooking up with us again in Sierra Vista along with Chris. We said goodbye to Kristin in Zion. She’s wrapping up her portion of the ride and is headed back to Boise, Idaho.
So, currently it’s Ron, Wayne, AJ and I on this portion of the trip. However, with much of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim operation shutting down for the season, only AJ and I went to the North Rim. Ron and Wayne will be continuing to the South Rim and enjoying a tamer Grand Canyon experience. Unfortunately AJ and I were unable to get a backcountry permit for this evening and decided to camp on the North Rim’s campground and head out tomorrow instead.
Here are some of the photos taken from the rim… enjoy!
The Grand Canyon... yes, grand indeed... 10 miles from rim to rim at the Grand Canyon Village
Capturing some of the Grand Canyon's colors
...as the sun begins to set
