Grand Canyon 360

Starting in historic Flagstaff, AZ in the ponderosa pine forest at 7000′ (2133m), you’ll make your way northwest to one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon. Along the way, you traverse an aspen forest at over 8000′ (2438m) before a long and satisfying descent to Grand Canyon Jct and your first control. Get your cameras ready. At this junction is the Flintstones’s Bedrock City. Yabba Dabba Doo!

From GC jct, it’s a gradual climb to reach the Canyon. After the entrance station, you will first encounter Grand Canyon Village with spectacular views of Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon Railway and, of course, The Canyon. It’s worth a quick stop for photos here. Immediately west of the Village is Hermit Rd (West Rim Drive) which goes along the edge of the Canyon on its “west rim.” It will be closed to cars in the summer months. This is the perfect way to see multiple Canyon overlooks on your way to your control at Hermit’s Rest. There’s a small snack bar there and a viewing area that is perfect for eating your ice cream while gazing at an unbelievable view of the Grand Canyon.

After your stop, you’ll return on Hermit Rd to GC Village, making your way toward South Rim Drive. Just before exiting the Village, there’s a market & deli that you will want to take advantage of. It will be a long way until your next food stop. Your ride along South Rim Dr will have you rolling between 7000′-7500′ (2133m-2268m) to your final views of the Canyon at Desert View Overlook where you will see the iconic Watchtower. Make sure you gaze into the Canyon here. Some of the best views of the Colorado River are from this vantage point. Alas, it will be time to push on.

There will be a 3000′ (914m) descent from Desert View to the city of Cameron. Keep your cameras handy, though. There are some spectacular views of the Little Colorado River Gorge and its many crevices carved into the Kaibab Plateau. It will heat up as you descend. Cameron will be a welcome respite and time to recover and refuel for the long climb ahead. The next 20 miles will have you climbing to the turn which will take you to your next adventure loop – Wupatki National Monument (NM) and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. It will be a quick, pleasantly car-free downhill to your control at Wupatki NM Visitor Center. If you have the interest, there are numerous ruins along this route with access right off the road. Pre planning will help you choose which to stop at and which might be too far off road. After the Wupatki control, you will start your 2000′ (610m) climb up to Sunset Crater Volcano and its Lava Fields. Shortly after the Sunset Crater Visitors Center, you’ll be back into reality and start your rolling descent back into Flagstaff.

This is a big ride in many ways. At 226 miles (364km) and 11,000′ (3350m) of climbing, it’s a big effort to complete. Even bigger, though, is the magnitude of the awe you get to experience while riding.

Check out the Photo Album