Coconino Rim Trail

Description:

• This Route offers some great views of the Grand Canyon and Painted Desert as well as easy biking in secluded surroundings. Part of the ride follows the Coconino Rim Trail, a section of the Arizona Trail. The Arizona Trail is a hiking, biking and horseback riding route that will eventually cross the entire state from the Mexican border to the Utah State line. If everything goes as planned, it will someday stretch all the way to Canada.

  On the Tusayan District of the Kaibab National Forest, the Arizona Trail follows the top of the scenic Coconino Rim. This five hundred foot escarpment curves southeast from the Grand Canyon and offers some unique views of that world famous chasm and the surrounding country. At a number of locations along the route, rocky promontories jut free of the surrounding trees and provide views of the Canyon's north and south rims, as well as, the crimson cliffs of its inner reaches. Distant panoramas of the Painted Desert color the horizon to the east. Wildlife is plentiful in the area, with tuft-eared Abert squirrels being the species most regularly observed. Elk and mule deer are frequently seen bounding off through the forest. Scrub jays chatter from the treetops as you ride by.

  This newly constructed trail along the top of the Coconino Rim is in good condition with little change in gradient. It provides a rare opportunity for easy riding in near wilderness surroundings. The Arizona Trail continues on to Russell Tank. a large livestock watering pond, and to the Moqui Stage Stop, the ruins of a way station on an old stagecoach line that once led from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. The ride loops back to the trailhead on secondary roads that are only lightly traveled by motor vehicles, or you can return the way you came if you want to avoid the road.

  Route Description: The first half of the ride follows the Coconino Rim Trail, a primitive woodland path. Although the trail is narrow, it is not generally steep of twisting (except for the switch backs), so novices can ride if they are careful, are prepared to lift their bike over a few logs, and walk the switch back section. Return to the trailhead by retracing your route or via FR 310, a dirt surfaced, secondary forest service road that is not heavily traveled, making it ideal for mountain biking.

  Directions from Tusayan: Just north of the sign marking the entrance to the town of Tusayan, turn east on FR 302 and follow it 16 miles to the Grandview Lookout Tower and the trailhead.