RAPTORING THE NORTH RIM

[John M BUNMAN]

What’s the temps and snow fall like there during December-January?

I spent Christmas there one year. It’s 20-30’s at night, mostly beautiful days.
That said, I almost couldn’t make it to the Rim on that trip. They had a lot of rain prior to my arrival. Roads were like GA CLAY! Sliding All over. I was flying solo so I was getting worried. Tows out of there are VERY COSTLY$$$$ YOU MUST BE ABLE TO SELF-RESCUE, MAXTRAX, shovel, winch etc. I was playing on 3nights. Started Snowing on me morning of the 2nd Day! I decided to EXIT ASAP. Good thing I did, I never would have made it out in the next 3days

 

[Deleted member 17706]

I spent Christmas there one year. It’s 20-30’s at night, mostly beautiful days.
That said, I almost couldn’t make it to the Rim on that trip. They had a lot of rain prior to my arrival. Roads were like GA CLAY! Sliding All over. I was flying solo so I was getting worried. Tows out of there are VERY COSTLY$$$$ YOU MUST BE ABLE TO SELF-RESCUE, MAXTRAX, shovel, winch etc. I was playing on 3nights. Started Snowing on me morning of the 2nd Day! I decided to EXIT ASAP. Good thing I did, I never would have made it out in the next 3days

20-30s at night is perfect camping weather for me—I love the cold. I’ll have to look at doing a trip around Christmas/New Years depending on precipitation levels. Looks like a good set of MT tires would be nice to have in case you hit the nasty wet stuff!

 

[jzweedyk]

I use Gaia as well, but I don't think I did when I was there last. We do most trails by ourselves and take two GPS's and run two tablets. I am always amazed when running into someone who has nothing for navigation. Actually, yesterday, we ran into an old hippy that had a VW Vanagon who didn't know the way back to the road.

 

[Diesel71]

20-30s at night is perfect camping weather for me—I love the cold. I’ll have to look at doing a trip around Christmas/New Years depending on precipitation levels. Looks like a good set of MT tires would be nice to have in case you hit the nasty wet stuff!

Spent last Mid March camping up there. Over 7K' elevation, it got down to single digits at night. Gorgeous during the day for hiking and yes - I think we saw 2 other people on the trails during the 3-4 days there. It's an amazing area.

 

[John M BUNMAN]

Spent last Mid March camping up there. Over 7K' elevation, it got down to single digits at night. Gorgeous during the day for hiking and yes - I think we saw 2 other people on the trails during the 3-4 days there. It's an amazing area.View attachment 166020 View attachment 166021 View attachment 166022

Beautiful, great shots, thanks for sharing.

 

[John M BUNMAN]

I use Gaia as well, but I don't think I did when I was there last. We do most trails by ourselves and take two GPS's and run two tablets. I am always amazed when running into someone who has nothing for navigation. Actually, yesterday, we ran into an old hippy that had a VW Vanagon who didn't know the way back to the road.

Amazing isn’t it. Failing to prepare..Is preparing to Fail
GAIA just added some off-road map overlays. I haven’t tried them yet. Already to much stuff on the App I don’t know how to use!

 

[jzweedyk]

GAIA just added some off-road map overlays.

I didn't realize that. We use cal topo (I think, my wife does the navigation). I used to use the satalite downloads, but they will only let you keep so many of those, and to delete and then re-download when I am in that area is too much work. We have downloaded all the topo maps for the areas we go to. Just the other day, Gaia downloaded a new map for an area we had downloaded because they had some new information. So apparently Gaia will update even the maps you have downloaded.

The north rim (west end) is so remote, that when we saw the Ranger he didn't even want to see our Park Pass. I have got to get back there again sometime.

Also the north rim east end is beautiful as well.

 

[John M BUNMAN]

I didn't realize that. We use cal topo (I think, my wife does the navigation). I used to use the satalite downloads, but they will only let you keep so many of those, and to delete and then re-download when I am in that area is too much work. We have downloaded all the topo maps for the areas we go to. Just the other day, Gaia downloaded a new map for an area we had downloaded because they had some new information. So apparently Gaia will update even the maps you have downloaded.

The north rim (west end) is so remote, that when we saw the Ranger he didn't even want to see our Park Pass. I have got to get back there again sometime.

Also the north rim east end is beautiful as well.

In the Navigation Thread under Off-roading your Raptor I’ll be referring to this area a lot. I’ve been going there for many years and have barely scratched the surface, I hope to cover every inch before I Check-Out. As far as navigating the area, you can get yourself turned around down there in a minute. In my Gen-1 with that Tiny Azzz tank I found myself 90 miles to Empty and about 105 miles from the Hardball ( I had ended up on a FS trail that turned into a wide hiking trail) Luckily I had been to the Bar10 Ranch before and made it to them. Ranch Mngr sold me some gas at $6 a gallon. I would have paid $10!
Basically the Area is Over a Million Acres of Wilderness which includes the GRAND CANYON PARASHANT NATIONAL MONUMENT and the GOLD BUTE NATIONAL MONUMENT. It runs from Mesquite NV area East to the North Rim Park all along hwy67 and everything south of hwy 389 down to the Canyon and the Colorado river. I doubt I’ll cover it all. Such an incredible area!

 

[John M BUNMAN]

I didn't realize that. We use cal topo (I think, my wife does the navigation). I used to use the satalite downloads, but they will only let you keep so many of those, and to delete and then re-download when I am in that area is too much work. We have downloaded all the topo maps for the areas we go to. Just the other day, Gaia downloaded a new map for an area we had downloaded because they had some new information. So apparently Gaia will update even the maps you have downloaded.

The north rim (west end) is so remote, that when we saw the Ranger he didn't even want to see our Park Pass. I have got to get back there again sometime.

Also the north rim east end is beautiful as well.

Get those Benchmark maps, before NAV Apps that’s all I used.

 

[Punchy OButters]

January and February are the heaviest winter weather and can change very quickly. Single digits are very possible with some wicked winds and wind chills. Next day maybe 50 and beautiful, its one of those places that if you don't like the weather just wait a bit and it will change. Just plan for a wide range of weather, with the altitude its just very hard to predict.

Also, if you plans for hiking or anything active make sure you are in ok shape. The altitude can be killer for visitors both in air density and the rate at which you dehydrate. 7,000 ft is no joke if you are from low elevations.