From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon's North Rim
Our trip begins this morning in Las Vegas. While the glitz and glam of Vegas draws its own following, it's also an ideal jumping-off point for North Rim recreation. After introductions and an orientation from our guides, we spend the morning crossing two state lines and transitioning from cactus to canyon, where cool pines and remote forest service roads help initiate us into our high-elevation home for the next 3 nights. After an alfresco lunch, we try out our legs and lungs on a fun net-downhill ride with our first taste of the Rainbow Rim Trail. We set up our basecamp in a quiet little corner where we can take in the setting sun from a camp chair while our guides whip up a restaurant-quality backcountry dinner. Lunch and dinner included.
Mountain biking: 18.6 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +605' / -1,654'; Van transfer: 6 hours
Ride the Rainbow Rim Trail
As sun filters through the pines, hot coffee and a nutritious breakfast help to begin fueling our day. After a shuttle from camp, we hit the trail! After dialing in our bikes, our guides will lead us through the dips, roots, and banked turns of the Rainbow Rim Trail. This iconic singletrack route weaves along the edge of the canyon and takes in multiple epic viewpoints, dipping back into a mixed deciduous and conifer forest to punctuate the unbelievable vistas. Our guides will help us understand the theories around exactly how the canyon itself was formed, giving us ample opportunity to catch our breath after ripping at 8,000 feet of elevation. At the trail's terminus, we enjoy a guide-prepared picnic lunch spread. We return via the same trail, with options to session certain sections on our bikes as time permits before appetizers and downtime in camp. Dinner is served under the Milky Way, glowing bright amidst one of the darkest skies in the U.S. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Mountain biking: 18.5 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +1484' / -1477'; Van transfer: 2 hours
Journey to the North Rim and Bright Angel Point
Rise with the sun at camp, or sleep in and let the dessert from last night digest a little more—either way, a hot and delicious breakfast prepared by your guides brings us all together to discuss the day. After a quick shuttle, we hit the Arizona National Scenic Trail, an 800-mile non-motorized route stretching from Mexico to Utah. Today we'll cruise 18 miles with rolling hills and punchy climbs, skirting the national park and mixing rim-side single-track with rarely traveled forest service roads. We cap our day off with a visit to the North Rim Lodge, a beautiful historic building perched at the edge of one of the most photographed views of the Grand Canyon. Here we rest our weary legs and enjoy appetizers and drinks at the lodge's famed rear deck, and our guides offer us the option to hike the narrow trail out to Bright Angel Point for sunset views, or to squeeze in a shower at the nearby North Rim Campground before returning to our camp for dinner and a campfire. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Mountain biking: 18 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +1784' / -1584'; Hiking: 0.75 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +546' / -457'; Van transfer: 2 hours
Jacob Lake ride and return to Las Vegas
After packing up camp, we transfer by van to the start of a one-way ride to help us make the most of our day. Today we're back on the Arizona Trail, enjoying our acclimated lungs on a fun, smooth, free-flowing downhill ride through the Kaibab National Forest and into the tiny community of Jacob Lake, whose name has strong historic ties to John Wesley Powell's 1869 expedition down the entire length of the Colorado River. Just before heading to town, we'll enjoy an fresco meal, followed by a chance to rehash stories of our bruises and successes. Next, we will make the stop in town to load up on Jacob Lake Inn's famous cookies—seriously, people drive hours to get these! After lunch and cookies, we'll drive back across the Arizona Strip, through southern Utah, down the Virgin River Gorge, through the Mojave Desert, and back to Las Vegas with a drop-off at Harry Reid International Airport, followed by a drop-off at our host hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.
Mountain Biking: 10.2 miles; Elevation gain/loss: +248' / -1300'; Van transfer: 5 hours