Albuquerque to Las Vegas - or other way round?

[nadine]

In June/July we plan to ride from Albuquerque to Las Vegas, or from Vegas to Albuquerque. Visit Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly and of course Grand Canyon among so much more. So via Taos, Durango, Kayenta, south rim.

What would you advise - start or finish in Las Vegas? Starting in Vegas would mean more climbing overall.
What are the prevailing winds? What makes most sense regarding temperatures?

Thanks!
Nadine

[jamawani]

I've biked the region more than a half dozen times.
Prevailing winds are usually southwesterly -
So, even though you have elevation gain heading east, the wind more than makes up.

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/downloads/climate/windrose/arizona/flagstaff/flagstaff_jun.gif
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/downloads/climate/windrose/arizona/flagstaff/flagstaff_jul.gif
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/downloads/climate/windrose/utah/cedar_city/cedar_city_jun.gif
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/downloads/climate/windrose/utah/cedar_city/cedar_city_jul.gif

Late June us getting pretty darn hot in the lower elevations - tolerable on the Colorado Plateau.
Why are you considering the South Rim when the North Rim is sooo much better and more on your route.
If you did South Rim from Vegas you would have to ride nasty stretches of US 93 and some on I-40.
Granted, you would also ride part of historic Route 66.

Temps:
Vegas - http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?nv4436
North Rim - http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?az1001
Kayenta - http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?az4578
Durango - http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?co2432
Taos  - http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?nm8668

[nadine]

Hi Jamawani,

Thanks for your reply! That's really useful. We've decided to start in Vegas and finish in Albuquerque.
We kind of like the heat, have been in Utah in July/August so we do have an idea of what we're in for.

We thought South Rim would be more spectacular - and we'd have to do a stretch of highway when we'd go to north rim as well.
Plus - we want to hike down & stay overnight if we manage to get a permit. And that seems to be more feasible from South Rim.

We're fine tuning our route today, so we can decide on how long we want to be away for. For  now, we are looking at 7 - 8 weeks, giving us plenty of time to see all the beautiful parks, towns & scenery!

Nadine

[jamawani]

Actually, Nadine - it is easier to get a permit hiking down from the North Rim.
90% of tourists visit the South Rim, only 10% the North Rim - probably similar for inner canyon hikers.
There are 3 possible campgrounds for transcanyon hikers: (South Rim to North Rim)
Indian Gardens halfway down from the SR, Bright Angel at Phantom Ranch, and Cottonwood halfway to the NR.
There are also pricey cabins at Phantom Ranch and a less-expensive bunkhouse.

Indian Gardens and Bright Angel are booked solid for months in advance.
Cottonwood often has openings a few weeks out and cancellations the morning of.
By getting two nights at Cottonwood, you can hike down in late afternoon -
Spend a full day exploring the inner canyon with a light pack -
Then hike out during the cool of the third morning.

Done it many times.
Good luck and enjoy.

Jama

Pic - Hiking down the North Kaibab Trail along the sheer redwall

[nadine]

Great picture!

That certainly is an option we're now considering, thanks Jama!