But you don't try to stick to those wide roads just like people try to spot a grizzly from a distance and make a detour, do you? What's the probability compared to a bear encounter/attack?
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 25, 2009 9:49 am - Hasn't voted
Re: cougar vs grizzly?
As unlikely it must be to have a cougar trouble on Kaibab Plateau, the danger is still a lot higher than to meet a grizzly in Arizona (the latter chance is flat zero).
The interesting part about cougars is of course that you never see them; they stay out of sight until they are compelled to do something. In this respect it isn't like a bear either; you may be close to a cougar but you wouldn't guess that it may be better to "cross to the other side of the street".
In 2001 I started at Jacob's Lake and walked into a closed North Rim, going R2R (and eventually to Flagstaff). I spent the first night at the East Rim overlook and second night at an abandoned and desolate North Rim, then down the N Kaibab. Of course, I did it without skis or snowshoes, so the going was a bit slower (but, it was April, so there was some snowless trail to be found).
Good on you, Mockba. What a trip. There is nothing like standing on the north rim in winter, all by yourself, with nary a tourist around...so nice.
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 25, 2009 9:53 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Love it!
In April, have you considered taking BLM roads East of the plateau Rim and starting off Saddle Mountain area? It's a lot closer to the rim - and a lot less trodden too.
I've traveled many of those roads, just know that they are pretty rough traveling when wet. Tougher even than those roads on the North Rim.
If getting closer to the rim via car during the closed months is your goal, an easy way to do it is to drive in to the north rim via the FS roads that leave west near Jacob Lake. One Christmas I drove into Monument/Crazy Jug Point(Thunder River Trail) and hiked the Deer Ck/Tapeats Ck loop. The traveling was fine on the hard packed FS roads and I had that entire section of The Canyon to myself. Of course, it is all dependent on the amt of snowfall. But often it is doable, especially early in the winter (Dec/Jan). Awesome.
Of course you need to have a good idea that the weather is going to be stable while you're down there...nothing a good five day forecast can't provide you with. Good thing long periods of high pressure are pretty common in Northern AZ at that time of year.
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 26, 2009 9:56 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Xmas to Deer / Tapeats?
Yes, being able to get out when the weather forecast is right is a huge advantage! Makes it hard to find company though :)
My imagination is still caught to the Saddle Mtn area with possible access from the BLM side, either continuing to the rim outlooks from Imperial to Royal, or down Nankoweap ... but you are right, even one muddy or snowy ravine may block springtime road access for good.
yatsek - Jan 25, 2009 8:05 am - Voted 10/10
Re: BrilliantBut you don't try to stick to those wide roads just like people try to spot a grizzly from a distance and make a detour, do you? What's the probability compared to a bear encounter/attack?
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 25, 2009 9:49 am - Hasn't voted
Re: cougar vs grizzly?As unlikely it must be to have a cougar trouble on Kaibab Plateau, the danger is still a lot higher than to meet a grizzly in Arizona (the latter chance is flat zero).
The interesting part about cougars is of course that you never see them; they stay out of sight until they are compelled to do something. In this respect it isn't like a bear either; you may be close to a cougar but you wouldn't guess that it may be better to "cross to the other side of the street".
vanman798 - Jan 23, 2009 6:04 pm - Voted 10/10
Very Very Kewl!That is one trip I have been dreaming of doing for years! Amazing.
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 24, 2009 8:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Very Very Kewl!Cool, maybe you find my beta useful (I mean this TR is an entertaining read all right, but also a source for info for those few who dare :)
edevart - Jan 23, 2009 6:11 pm - Voted 10/10
Love it!That is awesome. And speedy!
In 2001 I started at Jacob's Lake and walked into a closed North Rim, going R2R (and eventually to Flagstaff). I spent the first night at the East Rim overlook and second night at an abandoned and desolate North Rim, then down the N Kaibab. Of course, I did it without skis or snowshoes, so the going was a bit slower (but, it was April, so there was some snowless trail to be found).
Good on you, Mockba. What a trip. There is nothing like standing on the north rim in winter, all by yourself, with nary a tourist around...so nice.
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 25, 2009 9:53 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Love it!In April, have you considered taking BLM roads East of the plateau Rim and starting off Saddle Mountain area? It's a lot closer to the rim - and a lot less trodden too.
edevart - Jan 25, 2009 1:01 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Love it!I've traveled many of those roads, just know that they are pretty rough traveling when wet. Tougher even than those roads on the North Rim.
If getting closer to the rim via car during the closed months is your goal, an easy way to do it is to drive in to the north rim via the FS roads that leave west near Jacob Lake. One Christmas I drove into Monument/Crazy Jug Point(Thunder River Trail) and hiked the Deer Ck/Tapeats Ck loop. The traveling was fine on the hard packed FS roads and I had that entire section of The Canyon to myself. Of course, it is all dependent on the amt of snowfall. But often it is doable, especially early in the winter (Dec/Jan). Awesome.
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 25, 2009 1:28 pm - Hasn't voted
Xmas to Deer / Tapeats?Wow! There won't be a soul around there, but what if the weather changes? Leaving the vehicle there till spring is an interesting possibility :)
edevart - Jan 25, 2009 2:14 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Xmas to Deer / Tapeats?Of course you need to have a good idea that the weather is going to be stable while you're down there...nothing a good five day forecast can't provide you with. Good thing long periods of high pressure are pretty common in Northern AZ at that time of year.
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 26, 2009 9:56 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Xmas to Deer / Tapeats?Yes, being able to get out when the weather forecast is right is a huge advantage! Makes it hard to find company though :)
My imagination is still caught to the Saddle Mtn area with possible access from the BLM side, either continuing to the rim outlooks from Imperial to Royal, or down Nankoweap ... but you are right, even one muddy or snowy ravine may block springtime road access for good.
Travis Atwood - Jan 23, 2009 6:28 pm - Voted 10/10
Great ReportNice work Dmitri! That is a very cool trip and an even better trip report. Thanks for sharing.
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 25, 2009 12:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great ReportThanks Travis, it took me some effort to write but in the end it was worth it I think :)
seano - Jan 23, 2009 10:29 pm - Voted 10/10
Hard core.You, sir, are hard-core. I've been in the canyon lots of times, but R2R seems so insignificant now...
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 25, 2009 12:44 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Hard core.Thanks, and I don't think a summertime R2R would be less hardcore for me personally, I have very low heat tolerance
Scott Wesemann - Jan 24, 2009 2:08 am - Voted 10/10
WOW!Two words: Awesome report
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 26, 2009 12:54 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: WOW!Thanks Scott, yours are fun to read too, looking forward to more :)
mfox79 - Jan 24, 2009 10:56 am - Hasn't voted
Congrats!Thank You for the entertaining read. That was quite a feat for five days. Nice Job
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 26, 2009 12:51 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Congrats!Thanks! I definitely had more days at my disposal, but it kind of gets addictive to keep moving :)
How were your plans to bag some High Uintas peaks, any luck? It's my home turf you know :)
lcarreau - Jan 24, 2009 7:35 pm - Voted 10/10
This beats beingtrapped in a Butterfly Museum for 5 days by a long shot!!!
I know you said you'd enjoy companionship. Just wondering if
your companion had been a cougar. Extraordinary reporting work!!!!!
It would have took me two weeks to complete a trip like this.
Dmitry Pruss - Jan 24, 2009 8:35 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: This beats beingThanks Larry, it sure was fun to do some skiing in your state :) As to cougar companionship ... well for one thing I'm allergic to cats ...