mercier@streetsmart.ca
Expedition Scout
As part of a quest to find a North American route – Baja to Alaska - with as little blacktop as possible I discovered an incredible series of trails that I would like to share with you, that can be taken to/from Overland Expo in Flagstaff, Arizona. We traveled over iconic segments; Grand Canyon South Rim, Beale Wagon Road, Route 66, Mojave Road, Death Valley, Pony Express and Oregon Trail; laced together with equally interesting, but lesser-known trails. Route crosses 5 states and ends in Canada' s Kootenay Mountains.
Post Overland Expo Route starts with Havasupai Point; a rare opportunity for dispersed camping and sightseeing away from the masses that flock to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, in part because it requires a 4WD vehicle to reach, albeit an Easy trail.
1 IMG_4280 by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Photo: Havasupia Point Grand Canyon South Rim. Fortress-like Fossil Mountain in forefront and Mount Huethawali in background. Region also know as Grand Scenic Divide.
Leg One
Last year Pete Getty and I left OX on Sunday afternoon, and were camped on Havasupai Point in time to catch sunset. Driving up Highway 180, it took us under two hours to reach Tusayan. We drove through the Grand Canyon National Park main gate just long enough to purchase a pass, and drove right back out again, to take the first gravel road heading west after leaving the park at Tusayan.
The gravel road travels to the Havasupia Tribe Reservation, where a ranger collected a small fee and also asked to see our park pass. After a short drive through the reservation, we crossed back into Grand Canyon National Park, stopped at an abandoned historical rangers station, enjoyed a really nice forest drive to the south rim.
Havasupai Tribe Ranger by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Havasupai Point Trail by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Trail to Havasupai Point by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Grand Canyon National Park Remote Gate by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Historical Ranger Station by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Kaiibab Forest by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
We drove along the rim, and came across several dispersed campsites, literarily right on edge of Grand Canyon. While providing great views, these sites pale in comparison to the trails end, Havasupai Point.
Campfire on ridge by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Colorado River Gorge by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
13 IMG_4207 by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Havasupai Point
14 DSC_1644 by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Havasupai Point camp by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Habitat on the ridge by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Supper on the ridge by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Guest relations officer by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Both times toured Havasupai Point, no other campers were along this isolated ridge. Rather than make our way back via highways, We wanted to extend this remote, serene experience that bypass ashphalt
Hope you will like and follow us on Facebook.
Watch For Ultimate Expedition To/From Overland Expo,Flagstaff, AZ Leg 2 posted soon.
Post Overland Expo Route starts with Havasupai Point; a rare opportunity for dispersed camping and sightseeing away from the masses that flock to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, in part because it requires a 4WD vehicle to reach, albeit an Easy trail.
1 IMG_4280 by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Photo: Havasupia Point Grand Canyon South Rim. Fortress-like Fossil Mountain in forefront and Mount Huethawali in background. Region also know as Grand Scenic Divide.
Leg One
Last year Pete Getty and I left OX on Sunday afternoon, and were camped on Havasupai Point in time to catch sunset. Driving up Highway 180, it took us under two hours to reach Tusayan. We drove through the Grand Canyon National Park main gate just long enough to purchase a pass, and drove right back out again, to take the first gravel road heading west after leaving the park at Tusayan.
The gravel road travels to the Havasupia Tribe Reservation, where a ranger collected a small fee and also asked to see our park pass. After a short drive through the reservation, we crossed back into Grand Canyon National Park, stopped at an abandoned historical rangers station, enjoyed a really nice forest drive to the south rim.
Havasupai Tribe Ranger by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Havasupai Point Trail by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Trail to Havasupai Point by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Grand Canyon National Park Remote Gate by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Historical Ranger Station by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Kaiibab Forest by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
We drove along the rim, and came across several dispersed campsites, literarily right on edge of Grand Canyon. While providing great views, these sites pale in comparison to the trails end, Havasupai Point.
Campfire on ridge by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Colorado River Gorge by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
13 IMG_4207 by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Havasupai Point
14 DSC_1644 by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Havasupai Point camp by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Habitat on the ridge by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Supper on the ridge by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Guest relations officer by overlandfrontier, on Flickr
Both times toured Havasupai Point, no other campers were along this isolated ridge. Rather than make our way back via highways, We wanted to extend this remote, serene experience that bypass ashphalt
Hope you will like and follow us on Facebook.
Watch For Ultimate Expedition To/From Overland Expo,Flagstaff, AZ Leg 2 posted soon.
Last edited: