northern Arizona trail conditions in spring

[KootenayB]

Wondering about typical trail conditions on the following during April 15 - May 15:
1.  Coconino 250 loop?
2.  Kaibab 125?  too snowy/muddy?
3.  AZT from Flagstaff to Utah border?

(also, North Rim is closed then but is Park access road plowed/clear from Jacob Lake, can my support drive to North Rim at this time to allow some gear switcheroo, and is AZT likely in good riding shape north of Jacob Lake to the Utah border?)

(touring, not racing, so would do some support...sorry hardcores!)

[krefs]

1. Possible, but you might have to skip some of the AZT up in the Snowbowl area above Flagstaff depending on snow conditions. Mingus Mtn. Also could be snowy in April.

2. Very unlikely. The Kaibab Plateau usually gets a lot of snow.

3. You might have to skip the AZT section around Snowbowl and the section from the North Rim of the GC to Jacob Lake. I'm not sure if your support car will be able to get through past Jacob Lake. The highway is gated at the south end of Jacob Lake, but locals can get through, so perhaps all it takes is opening the gate.

[AZTtripper]

For the North rim there's a big difference from April 15 to May 15.

In mid April there will likely be a fair bit of snow most years, by mid May of most years most of it should be gone.

It is possible to dive out to the Park gate even if the Jacob Lake gate is still closed. It's a long way's on dirt tho. And it will still depend on the year, some years these roads are still snowed in much longer, others they'll melt out fast.

One good thing most of the Kaibab dries out quickly once things melt off.

I think the ultimate trip would be to hike the canyon just before the park opens. You get to see the North rim while it's still closed and peaceful in the morning as the park opens and the masses roll in, you meet your shuttle driver and get out of there.

It would be tough to plan this out starting at the Border, but just from Flagstaff it should be doable. Get your permits so you don't have to deal with that mid trip, plan for how long you need to do the Flag to S rim and your good to go.

As long as the N rim is closed your good to spend the night in the group site. It's great to be at the N rim when they are closed but it would be then nice for them to open so you can get food.

The ultimate timing, I think, would be to have a camping permit for the Cottonwood CG on the 13th of May. On the 14th hike out and spend the night on the north rim, the Group site is a sweet spot right on the rim, wake up to services just opening up for the first arriving tourist. Get your bike and stock up for the run to Jacob Lake and the State Line.

Hope that helps
Tim