Yosemite to Grand Canyon South Rim

[Nic.Roets]

Background: During the past month I've done 1500 miles in California. I slept in a combination of campgrounds, Warm Showers and dispersed camping. Some places where quite hot (Bakersfield, Fresno). I like shopping at supermarkets and the convenience of fast food.

I'm in SF right now and I can make it to Yosemite on my own. But I also want to see the Grand Canyon and maybe hike in it. So I hear the Southern Rim is best.

On the direct route between the two lies Death Valley and Las Vegas. Does it make sense to use link the ACA routes i.e. a long detour ?

My time frame is August.

Maybe it's easier to get on a bus ?

[JHamelman]

I don't have an answer to your specific question other than prepare to be hot! And carry as much water as you can.

Be aware there is a fire raging just outside of Yosemite, the Ferguson Fire. Due to this, the South entrance to the park is closing at noon today (7/25/18) through the weekend perhaps longer depending on the fire. There is a lot of smoke in the area making cycling uncomfortable.

Updates from the park can be found here:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

You can follow the fire here:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/

Best,
Jennifer

[jamawani]

If you want to ride from Yosemite to the Grand Canyon, the North Rim makes more sense.
Plus, the North Rim has only 10% of the visitors and is quite bike friendly.
Not to mention great hikes on the rim and below.

The most direct route is via central Nevada -

CA 120 to US 6 at Benton
US 6 thru Tonopah to NV 375 at Warm Springs
NV 375 to US 93 near Ash Springs
US 93 to NV 319 at Panaca
NV 319/UT 56 to Cedar City
UT 14 to US 89 at Long Valley
US 89 to US 89A at Kanab
US 89A to AZ 67 at Jacob Lake
AZ 67 to the North Rim

Although this route is not as hot as the more southerly desert routes, it is still hot in mid summer.
And it is not for the inexperienced cyclist.

The are ZERO services from Benton to Tonopah. Nothing at Montgomery Pass or Coaldale.
There are ZERO services from Tonopah to Rachel - and precious little at Rachel.
You have to drop south a few miles to Ash Springs, although there is a big spring at the junction.
From Caliente, the services are closer together.

Best - J