Capes Connectors

Connecting the Capes of the Canyon

The Capes Connectors provide options to connect the North and South Rim Capes of the Canyon in three ways. 

  1. Inner Canyon Connector

  2. Paved Connector

  3. Western Wildlands Dirt Connector

1. Inner Canyon Connector

The Inner Canyon Connector is a physically demanding route. It involves hiking, with a bicycle disassembled on your back, the entire inner length of the Grand Canyon. This route is BY FOOT ONLY. You are NOT ALLOWED to ride your bicycle or push it below the rims.

I cannot stress this enough. THE TREAD OF YOUR BICYCLE WHEELS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE GROUND - per Grand Canyon National Park rules. The rangers are very serious about this. This means your bicycle must remain on your back for the entire Rim to Rim hike across the length of the Grand Canyon - 20+ miles in length and anywhere between 5000-6500 feet of gain and equal loss. You are allowed to take your pack off (with your bike disassembled and strapped to it) to stop and rest. But you MUST make sure to arrange your pack such that the bike DOES NOT come into contact with the ground (especially the tread) when your backpack is off.

I urge everyone to talk to rangers at the Backcountry Information Center to get the latest updates and regulations for crossing the Canyon with a bicycle on your back prior to doing it. You can also stop here during your ride in order to grab walk-up permits/reservations for camping at the designated campgrounds in the Grand Canyon (if any are available). Contact information is below:
nps.gov/places/000/backcountry-information-center.htm

Riders descend from the South Rim Capes via the South Kaibab Trailhead. There is no water source between the parking lot at the top (there is a faucet) and the bottom (there is plenty of water at Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch). Top to bottom is approximately 7 miles.

Riders ascend via the North Kaibab Trail. Bottom to top is about 14 miles. There is water, seasonally, located at the North Kaibab Trailhead on top, Supai Tunnel, Roaring Springs, the Manzanita Rest Area, Cottonwood Campground, and Bright Angel Campground at the bottom. Water is available year round, if you treat it, from Bright Angel Creek until the trail leaves the creek past Manzanita Rest Area.

Up-to-Date information on water along these trails can be found under "Drinking Water in the Cross-Canyon Corridor" at this webpage: nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-closures.htm#CP_JUMP_1941213

Composting and Full-Service restrooms are found at several points along the route including the trailheads, Bright Angel Campground, and each of the aforementioned water stops. In addition, they are found at Cedar Ridge and the Tipoff along the South Kaibab Trail. Plan to carry all your food, although the Phantom Ranch Cantina has snacks for all (8:30 am - 8:00 pm) and meals (if you get a reservation ahead of time) at Phantom Ranch.

If you are traveling in the opposite direction, just reverse the route.  

​Important Considerations:

  • Carrying a bicycle on your back with a backpack is physically demanding and hard on your muscles and joints. Make sure you are physically fit and ready for the challenges of this hike.

  • Follow all Grand Canyon National Park regulations and guidelines, including Leave No Trace.

  • If you don't get a reservation for a campsite, you must complete the hike in one attempt. There is NO dispersed camping below the rims.

  • Use a backpack to carry your bike. Know how to dismantle your bike, strap it to the backpack, and carry it as comfortably as possible.

  • Be courteous and considerate to all trail users.

  • Follow the instructions of mule guides if a mule train is passing by. Usually this means stepping to the inside of the trail (nearest the Canyon wall) and stopping.

  • Make sure you have suitable hiking shoes on your bikepacking trip that would allow you to complete this hike with the given weight on your back.

  • Altitude ranges will go from 2400 feet at the Colorado River to over 8000 feet at the North Kaibab Trailhead. Be ready for extreme changes in weather, temperature, climate, shade, water, and oxygen. 7000 feet at the South Kaibab TH and 8000 feet at the North Kaibab TH are like being on top of a mountain, oxygen-wise.

  • DO NOT underestimate the difficulty of this traverse. This is extremely advanced and very physically demanding.


Guides on crossing the Grand Canyon by foot with your bikepacking rig on your back can be found below:

2. Paved Connector

The Paved Connector takes the shoulders (existing or nonexistent) along the often busy highways of 64 and 89 from Desert View on the South Rim Capes to Lees Ferry on the North Rim Capes. There are opportunities to jump on or off the pavement at various spots along the length of both Capes at multiple points, so see where they overlap and make your plans.

Highway 64 has BEAUTIFUL wide shoulders that I commonly ride with a bike on both directions of the road between the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park and Cameron, AZ. It's a stellar road ride with awesome views. There is very little to no shoulder between the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park and Desert View - however the speed limits are slow, but the road is windy and there definitely will be cars.

Highway 89 has decent or nonexistent shoulders, intermittently, along its length between Cameron and Lees Ferry. It's a very busy highway with fast speeds, multiple lanes, and vehicles typically going over the speed limit. Portions of this Connector are commonly ridden by touring cyclists along the Adventure Cycling Association's "Grand Canyon Connector" and Bikepacking Roots' "Western Wildlands Route.” The views are spectacular passing through the Navajo Nation along Cedar Ridge and the Echo Cliffs.

Make sure as you pass through the Navajo Nation that you stick to the paved public highway and do not wander onto side roads or unpaved routes without a permit or explicit permission of the Tribe. Stay on the highways and be aware that you are crossing their land. This means no dispersed camping as well. Lodging/Camping can only be found at Cameron and Lees Ferry/Marble Canyon (on the north side of the Colorado River), which means bikepackers will need to cover the length of that section in one push. Water and food can be resupplied at Cameron, Gap, and Marble Canyon. It's a big day, so get up early to ride. Wear bright colors, flashing lights, and ride defensively along this length of highway.

Those seeking permits and a majority dirt ride should check out Bikepacking Roots' Western Wildlands Route in Section 7. They have worked with the Tribal Government to secure a route, permits, and camping through unpaved backroads as long as bikepackers stick to Bikepacking Roots' firm route guide.

Riders will eventually take a left off of main Highway 89 onto 89A (89 Alternate). Traffic will decrease but there's pretty much no shoulder all the way down to Marble Canyon and Navajo Bridge. Again, ride defensively and visibly. This area continues to be land of the Diné, so stick to pavement and do not wander off route.

If you are traveling in the opposite direction, just reverse the route.

3. Western Wildlands Dirt Connector

Bikepacking Roots has done an amazing job working with the Navajo Nation to provide a dirt bikepacking option that parallels Highway 89 and provides opportunities for rim-side camping in their Western Wildlands Route of Section 7.  They have worked closely with the Navajo Tribal Government to map the route, provide an avenue for bikepackers to get permits, and established three camping spots along the unpaved backroads.  
 
The important thing about this route is that bikepackers must make sure to stick firmly to the guidelines and regulations established by the Navajo Nation and outlined by Bikepacking Roots.  This especially means camping in the three, GPS-designated coordinate campsites along the route.  There is also a fee associated with getting the permit.  

Information on this route, associated fees, POIs, water sources, GPX, and a full PDF guide can be found on the Bikepacking Roots website for the Western Wildlands Route.  You can also purchase phone app maps from Far Out Guides for their route.  
 
If you are traveling in the opposite direction, just reverse the route.