I'm thinking about riding down there on my motorcycle and don't want to do it if the road has long stretches of sand or really technical sections. Any advice is appreciated.
It's a good dirt road for the majority of the way, but about 5 miles past the ranger station it starts deteriorating.
Last time I was there, there were two patches of road that were pure dust for about 50 yards. This is a trap for normal cars. Some vehicles took alternate routes around it, and now they too are turning into a dust bog. The last two miles are on rough slickrock. Be prepared for at least one flat tire.
I don't know a lot about motorcycles, but I can't imagine this would be an enjoyable ride, esp. with a street bike. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I would save this trip for your Tacoma with the 'rolling motel' if I were you. Also, there was no cell phone access last time I was there.
Thanks for the info, John. I think I'll wait to visit Toroweap. My m/c isn't a street bike, but it's not a hard core off-roader either. On to plan B - whatever that is!
When were you last out there? This past spring or fall? I only ask because I was out there last August and don't remember those spots.
I've always gone in leaving the highway a couple of miles East of Pipe Spring (where there's decent gas prices, due to the reservation). Via that route, it's about 60 miles and takes me between five and six hours in a Subaru. As John implies, it gets a lot worse at the end. I feel like the last two or three miles have gotten worse in the last five years; this last time, I was seriously worried about my car. Makes me want a truck with a couple inches of lift.
It's worth it, though... Just come prepared to camp for a few days, because it's a lot of time to get back there.
Discussion
3 repliesLast time I was there, there were two patches of road that were pure dust for about 50 yards. This is a trap for normal cars. Some vehicles took alternate routes around it, and now they too are turning into a dust bog. The last two miles are on rough slickrock. Be prepared for at least one flat tire.
I don't know a lot about motorcycles, but I can't imagine this would be an enjoyable ride, esp. with a street bike. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I would save this trip for your Tacoma with the 'rolling motel' if I were you. Also, there was no cell phone access last time I was there.
When were you last out there? This past spring or fall? I only ask because I was out there last August and don't remember those spots.
I've always gone in leaving the highway a couple of miles East of Pipe Spring (where there's decent gas prices, due to the reservation). Via that route, it's about 60 miles and takes me between five and six hours in a Subaru. As John implies, it gets a lot worse at the end. I feel like the last two or three miles have gotten worse in the last five years; this last time, I was seriously worried about my car. Makes me want a truck with a couple inches of lift.
It's worth it, though... Just come prepared to camp for a few days, because it's a lot of time to get back there.