RAINBOW RIM MOUNTAIN BIKING

GRAND CANYON NORTH RIM

                  God created, the GRAND CANYON  

 The Rainbow Rim trail is one of the ten must do mountain bike rides in the west!  It is pure insanity to try to ride it out and back in one day.   Even doing it in two days can be a hard ride, so make sure you get in condition before coming.

We camped at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and it took 1 1/2 hours to drive to the trailheads each day, and 1 1/2 hours back to the campground.   We liked the general store, showers and other amenities in the park.

You can shave 1/2 hour drive time each day if you camp at the Demotte Campground.   Or better yet if you like primitive camping you might camp near the Rainbow Rim trailheads.

There are no restrooms at the trailheads, just bushes.
Bring TP and a zip-lock bag, because you can't bury or burn any TP.
Bring extra water, and maybe even sports drinks to replenish electrolytes.
Salty snacks and a good lunch is needed.    Bring a wind breaker or rain jacket.
We got cell phone coverage at Parissawpitts Point, but not other places on the trail.

PARISSAWAPITTS POINT

PARISSAWPITTS POINT to LOCUST POINT

This is the harder ride, with some sweet down-hills on the return ride. There are some steep ups and downs. The trail has rocks, and there are a few logs to climb over.
When you come to FENCE POINT, you'll see a marker with an arrow and a circle. This is a side trail that drops down to the overlook. 
MILEAGE: 16 miles (out and back).
ELEVATION GAIN: 750'
RATINGS:  Intermediate technical
RIDE TIME with stops:  6 hours
DIRECTIONS:  South of the Demotte Campground, take FR 22 travel west 10 1/2 miles, turn left on FR 206 and travel 3 1/2 miles, then turn right on FR 214 and travel 8 miles out to Parissawapitts Point.

NORTH TIMP POINT

TIMP POINT to NORTH TIMP POINT

For novice riders this would be a great sampler of the Rainbow Rim trail.  The ride is smooth, and the elevation gain is minimal.   This makes a wonderful ride for tourists.
RATINGS:  Moderate technical
MILEAGE: 7 miles (out and back)
RIDE TIME with stops: 3 hours
DIRECTIONS:  South of the Demotte Campground, take FR 22 travel west 10 1/2 miles, turn left on FR 206 and travel 5 miles, then turn right on FR 271 and travel 8 miles out to Timp Point.  FR 271 has some deep ruts and may not be good for low riders or 2W drive vehicles on rainy days.

TIMP POINT

TIMP POINT to LOCUST POINT

MILEAGE: 16 miles (out and back)
ELEVATION GAIN: 750'
RATINGS: Intermediate technical
RIDE TIME with stops: 6 hours
TIMP POINT:  Look for the marker with an arrow and a circle, this is the trail to the overlook.  The Rainbow Rim trail is to the right with a Hiking trail marker.

FUTURE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION
The Rainbow Rim trail may be expanding east from TIMP Point.