North Rim - Grand Canyon
Arizona Strip
To register for the next
North Rim - Grand Canyon
Adventure click here
The Grand Canyon Nation Park Service estimates that less then 10% of the 3.4 million annual tourists visit the north rim of the
Grand Canyon. It is a fair guess that the vast majority of that 10% use the developed North Rim facilities provided by
the Park Service. Join Badlands Off-Road Adventures as we explore other remote areas of the Grand Canyon's North Rim.
At one point on our journey, the closest access to any civilization is over 60 miles away on poor dirt roads that take many
hours to traverse. The few people, who live in this area, rely on solar power and use radios or satellite phones for communication.
Plan on spending 3 days and 2 nights working your way
to (and back from) the one of the most magnificent views from the North Rim. This is one of the narrowest and deepest
sections of Grand Canyon.
You will be able to stand within inches of a 3000 foot vertical drop into the canyon (if you choose).
The Park Service has made a decision to not develop the roads or facilities in this area and to "manage the area
for its primitive values".
Needless to say, we need to bring everything for survival with us, including extra gas.
Along the way, we will enjoy the beauty of the mountains, valleys, forests, and streams as we navigate trails
that are rated 3 or 4 (out of 10) when they are dry. The rating is at least 1 point (and more likely 2 points) higher
in difficulty when they are wet.
{The picture to the right shows an ancient lave flow.}
Trail rating 3: requires good vehicle clearance and you can expect
dirt roads, that are rutted, with washes, or gulches; water crossings up to 6" depth;
passable mud; grades up to 10 degrees; and small rocks or holes.
4WD is recommended for level 3 but use of 2WD is possible under good conditions and with adequate ground clearance and
skill.
No width problems for any normal vehicle. Vehicle passing spots frequently available if less than two vehicles wide.
Trail rating 4: is defined as roads in difficult terrain and you can expect
rutted and/or rocky road; No shelves but rocks to 9"; with Water crossings usually less than hub deep;
Passable mud; Grades moderate, up to 15 degrees; and Side hill moderate up to 15 degrees.
4WD is required under most conditions. There are generally no width problems with vehicle passing spots frequently
available if less than two vehicles wide.
You need a street legal, insured 4WD with a low range transfer case. You must have at least one tow hook
(or tow point) on the front and one on the rear. You need a CB radio and no side steps. You will need to bring
camping equipment and food for 3 days and 2 nights.
Full size vehicles are ok on this trail.
All vehicles can expect some "pin striping" from the trail side bushes.
Recommended items include a tow strap (no metal hooks on the ends), a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and
a Hi-lift jack.
You will see the remains of a huge lava flow that chocked off the Colorado river many year ago damming it up.
The mighty Colorado cut through the dam and released the lake formed behind it.
John Wesley Powell in his 1869 expedition commented "What a conflict of water and fire there must have been here!
Just imagine a river of molten rock running down into a river of melted snow.
What a seething and boiling of the waters; what clouds of steam rolled into the heavens!"
Permitted with BLM & GCNP.
back
