Royal Arch Route, AZ. Rappel and upclimb options.

[louie]

Wondering what people use for anchor points on the rappel or handhold line if down climbing and also for the upclimb. Is it bolted for an upclimb? Or if we’re planning on descending and ascending this section is the best option to leave a top rope for the climb back up?

[nonot]

@louie
The issue is that I think they'd have to do some basic maintenance on the road in a few spots, which costs money. As Chums says, if you lock down the access like they do with Hermit Rd it seems to work fairly well in keeping the riff raff out. I suspect, like Chums, that keeping it closed does have to do with an under the table agreement they hammered out with the tribe though.

[Heliops]

My 2 cents, we used the knotted rope the rafters left there. That was in 2018, I would still take 20 ish foot of static rope and maybe a light speed harness. No need to over kill it

[azbackpackr]

@chumley
I've always heard they've kept that road closed to appease the tribe. Another option they could consider would be a fee that pays the tribe, but doesn't use their road. Although, that could create other problems down the line.

[rcorfman]

@louie
Concerning rope length. I brought a 50' rope and we were going to double it for the rappel. 50' was a bit short for that so we just did a single rope rappel. I would use a 30' rope or a 60' rope now, depending.

[lewisworley]

Hey All,
My son and I are supposed to do Royal Arch in November.

If anyone has hiked to the trailhead from the gate recently, do you think a mountain bike could do it?
ie, not too sandy, not very many cactii, etc.

Thank you,
Lewis

[azbackpackr]

@lewisworley
Not sure this is helpful, but I was talking with someone recently who rides the boundary road on a mountain bike, out to South Bass. He recommended it to me for an overnight bikepacking tour.

[hikeaz]

I have not looked into the exact route, but have heard reports of some driving to the S.B. T/H using 'work-arounds' to avoid the rez using (even more) secondary roads. There are gobs of roads out there on the Kaibab to explore; more than likely linking up to the S or SW of P.W. Ranger Station.

(edit) I found this...
At twenty miles in on the Pasture Wash Road we hit the locked gate at the Havasupai reservation boundary. There was a two-track that Jeep-ers had created running due north on the forest service side of the reservation boundary, and we figured on driving it as far as we could get the truck before getting on our bikes (if we needed them). The track was cut for Jeeps or small trucks, though, not necessarily full-size pickups. We made a couple miles, slowly navigating the tight clearance between brush and rocks. We finally came to a short, steep downhill only about 50 yards before the two-track met back up with FR 328 outside of the reservation.

[lewisworley]

@hikeaz and @azbackpackr
Hey thanks! That's helpful. I am chatting with someone in the Facebook GC Hikers group that just hiked that road. They say mountain bike could do it easily. I might drive as far as possible and then bike in the rest.
My son and I are doing Royal Arch Loop in 2 weeks and are planning on carrying in a fair amount of water which means I'm not too excited about adding 7 miles on either end of the trip.

My first time posting in hikearizona and everyone has been really helpful. Thanks!

[hikeaz]

@lewisworley
Hopefully you have seen my edit. Don't know what vehicle you have, but that tale was from 2020 (they had a RENTED Silverado that they were especially careful with); I would expect the trail has been 'improved' since then.

[lewisworley]

@hikeaz
Thanks! 2020 -- That's helpful information. I did see your edit as well. Thanks again!

[hikeaz]

@lewisworley
If the road is dry this is an off-rez driving route that should work. [ custom map :: map ] . If the area is wet it can really be a s&^% show out there - Through necessity I have done some real 'mud-boggin' out there and it is not for the faint.

[azbackpackr]

@lewisworley
Great route! Cache water for your return trip on the Esplanade UNDER rocks. Otherwise the winged rats (ravens) will get at your containers and peck holes in them.

[chumley]

@lewisworley
... this is an off-rez driving route that should work.

There are many old roads and more recent user-created two tracks that are not open to motor vehicle travel (including this one, which is closed beyond Lauzon Trick Tank). Bicycles are not restricted.

For information about routes which motor vehicles are permitted on the Kaibab National Forest, visit this page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/m ... eprd490027
View the official map of permitted motor vehicle routes here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 699196.pdf

[Barrett]

@louie
I have not done this route yet, but the anchor point seems to be a substantial rock pillar. 20' of webbing and 40' of rope is recommended.
[ photo ]

[hikeaz]

If coming from the RA drainage as one approaches the 'rappel station' visually it gives one pause. But it is a pretty easy un-roped down-climb actually (without your pack of course); the rock is pretty bomb and there is a small landing, too, in case.