Stop at the ranger station at Jacobs Lake. They have maps showing all the "roads", trails, snowmobile trails etc. Talk with the rangers and they will point out on the map areas which have decent boondocking spots and they will tell you what they know, from their driving the area, about which spots already have some camper(s) and which don't. This google earth shot and my pics are of one they recommended for me and there was no one else around for miles.
4runnerguy wrote:
It sounds like you've already ridden the Rainbow Rim trail so you're aware of the boondocking locations along the various roads leading to the different trailheads.
One other MTB trail we rode there was a portion of the Arizona Trail just north of the GCNP boundary (no trail riding in the park!). The turnoff for FSR 611 (the access road) is right across the highway from FSR 22 where one turns to go out to Rainbow Rim. We were camped at DeMotte CG and rode right from the CG. After riding up FSR 611 for about 1.3 miles, we turned right on FSR 610 and followed it for just over five miles. The start to the trail is a subtle singletrack in a meadow about 0.2 miles past the trailhead parking. IIRC there is a big water tank nearby.
We rode from there past his markers M1 through M11. We then turned SW on FSR 213 where we turned south and headed back to the highway and then south back to the CG. Altogether it was nearly 26 miles and we took just over 4 hours to do it. Much of the singletrack goes through meadows and forests. Between points M5 and M7 there are nice views down into North Canyon and beyond.
We passed a few cars on the dirt roads, but saw no one on the singletrack. There were some short pushes up steeper gravel sections, but all-in-all, it was a nice ride. Allison gave it ๐ ๐ ๐ in her camp diary! We rode this in 2016.
4runnerguy,
The Arizona Trail sounds like a nice pleasant ride through the pines. Rode the AT on the south rim making a big all day loop from our boondocking spot near the Grandview TH a few years back. Very mellow ride.
Appreciate your Moab writeup in a previous thread. Tons of good info. We share in common a lot of long 4-5 hour MTB loops especially off #313 that you have written about.
Might see you in Moab in May if you are there.
Dave
It sounds like you've already ridden the Rainbow Rim trail so you're aware of the boondocking locations along the various roads leading to the different trailheads.
One other MTB trail we rode there was a portion of the Arizona Trail just north of the GCNP boundary (no trail riding in the park!). The turnoff for FSR 611 (the access road) is right across the highway from FSR 22 where one turns to go out to Rainbow Rim. We were camped at DeMotte CG and rode right from the CG. After riding up FSR 611 for about 1.3 miles, we turned right on FSR 610 and followed it for just over five miles. The start to the trail is a subtle singletrack in a meadow about 0.2 miles past the trailhead parking. IIRC there is a big water tank nearby.
We rode from there past his markers M1 through M11. We then turned SW on FSR 213 where we turned south and headed back to the highway and then south back to the CG. Altogether it was nearly 26 miles and we took just over 4 hours to do it. Much of the singletrack goes through meadows and forests. Between points M5 and M7 there are nice views down into North Canyon and beyond.
We passed a few cars on the dirt roads, but saw no one on the singletrack. There were some short pushes up steeper gravel sections, but all-in-all, it was a nice ride. Allison gave it ๐ ๐ ๐ in her camp diary! We rode this in 2016.
One other MTB trail we rode there was a portion of the Arizona Trail just north of the GCNP boundary (no trail riding in the park!). The turnoff for FSR 611 (the access road) is right across the highway from FSR 22 where one turns to go out to Rainbow Rim. We were camped at DeMotte CG and rode right from the CG. After riding up FSR 611 for about 1.3 miles, we turned right on FSR 610 and followed it for just over five miles. The start to the trail is a subtle singletrack in a meadow about 0.2 miles past the trailhead parking. IIRC there is a big water tank nearby.
We rode from there past his markers M1 through M11. We then turned SW on FSR 213 where we turned south and headed back to the highway and then south back to the CG. Altogether it was nearly 26 miles and we took just over 4 hours to do it. Much of the singletrack goes through meadows and forests. Between points M5 and M7 there are nice views down into North Canyon and beyond.
We passed a few cars on the dirt roads, but saw no one on the singletrack. There were some short pushes up steeper gravel sections, but all-in-all, it was a nice ride. Allison gave it ๐ ๐ ๐ in her camp diary! We rode this in 2016.
Gonzo42 wrote:
I'm planning something similar. I'm including Navajo Bridge and Monument Valley, then the East Gate of GC for the Watchtower, then on home.
Be sure to see the Condors at the Navajo Bridge.
Click For Full-Size Image.
