PHX13's 2015 DCSB and trailer build thread (and BS)

Found this on the interwebs...

 

Excuse the bad photography, was on a break from makin tamales and didn't have time to capture the best lighting, going to try to get a few good pics on the trip though!

 

Pretty sure thats on the Nissan / Tacoma mount that they sell. I had considered using one, but then might just mount it on the cabrac rails. Probably a better spot, but more than likely more of a pain to get to.... which sucks when you need it in the rain, but is better for security reasons...

 

Updated "recent" pic at the in 1st post.

 

Nice truck man!


Do you recall where you camped at when you went to the Grand Canyon?

 

Thanks!
I know EXACTLY where I camped . Quote this tomorrow and remind me to type you out some directions!

 

DISCLAIMER 1: ROAD CAN BE RUTTED OUT AND RUGGED. 4X4 RECOMMENDED ALTHOUGH I MADE IT IN MY PRERUNNER. IF THERE WAS ANY TYPE OF MUD, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TURNED BACK. THE ROUGHEST PART OF THE ROAD WHEN I WENT ON IT WAS THE SECTION ON PASTURE WASH BETWEEN WHEN YOU FIRST TURN ONTO IT, AND THE FS CABIN. USE CAUTION, HAVE RECOVERY GEAR, AND DO NOT TRAVEL ALONE. I WOULD NOT TRAVEL THIS ROAD WHEN THERE IS HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW!!!

DISCLAIMER 2: PART OF THE DIRT ROAD IS KINDA ONE WAY ONLY, SO IF YOU SEE ANOTHER RIG COMING, THEN WAIT FOR THEM TO PASS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL THROUGH. ALSO, GOING BACK TO DISCLAIMER 1, MIGHT BE HARD TO BACK OUT IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT IN 2WD.

DISCLAIMER 3: YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A PERMIT.

DISCLAIMER 4: THERE ARE SOME BARBWIRE FENCES ON PASTURE WASH, IF IT WAS CLOSED WHEN YOU GOT TO IT, THEN PLEASE CLOSE IT AFTER YOU'VE PASSED THROUGH IT.

SOUTH BASS / HAVASUPAI POINT ​

Ok, so I got most of my information from a thread on AZFJ that had been linked here on TW, then a THREAD on here thanks to @SixthSnail, and then from talking to a friend who had been there before. So, I am definitely not the first person to have gone there, and definitely don't have the directions down as well as I wish I did.

Most people that I have seen are camping in the spots near Havasupai Point (36.187637, -112.349348), but I ended up at the South Bass Trail Head (36.183734, -112.376792). They are definitely close to each other.

Our original plan was to camp near the point, but the sun was fading fast (had gotten lost --didn't make the right turn on the rez--) and who wants to get lost and accidentally drive over the edge of the canyon, am i right??? So, anyways, we camped at the South Bass Trail Head. I had remembered that the trail to it from the split was a little shorter, and when I got there, it was definitely a little wider and more passable looking.

Anyways, so going back to disclaimer 3, you're supposed to have a permit. You can get this at the Back Country Information Center in Grand Canyon Village. That's a link. Click it and you'll see it on the map, with the address, hours, and phone number. So technically you should go here, although if you do not, then that is on you. Also, you have two options to get there:
1. Drive through the front gate of the park. You most likely have to PAY MONEY to go get the pass that COSTS MONEY. I have an Interagency Access Pass from the NPS. It was free, because I am a disabled Veteran. If you are disabled in any way, call them up and see if you can get a free one too! Then, you'll get into most parks for free. Anyways, this is the most direct route to get there, and probably the route that you are SUPPOSED to take. Or, you can take:
2. If you do not want to pay to then go pay again, there is a back way that I found to get there. When you are driving north on the 180/64, you will drive through the Tusayan before the front gate. After the traffic circle, and before you get to the front gate, there is a FR that heads left. I am not sure what it is labeled, could be FR 328, FR800, or FR2616. Regardless, it is right after the Tusayan Ranger District on the right hand side. Even better though, HERE is where you need to turn, and the GPS info is (35.990247, -112.123396). So, turn left there, and then get on FR 328. Take FR 328 4.9 miles to FR 328A. Turn right, which would be NORTHISH. The intersection is HERE, or GPS (36.009310, -112.190391). FR328A will turn into Rowe Well Road HERE. Turn right and make your way into the backside of the village, then find the BCIC.

Either way, get your permit if you're going to. Make sure to tell them that you are NOT camping below the rim, because IIRC, that is an additional fee. SIDE NOTE: LAST TOILET YOU'LL SEE UNTIL YOU'RE BACK IS HERE... go try to go poop, even if you don't think you need to. Tell the women and kids to as well!

Picking it back up, you either got a permit or you didn't, I'm picking the directions up where FR328 meets FR328A:

Continue down FR328 until you hit the pay station on the Rez / GPS (36.092772, -112.409302). Pretty sure that the charge to pass through is $20 in cash, but that may change, so I'd bring like $30. Someone might be there, someone might not be there.... from what I am told though, is that if they miss you on the way in, they'll get you on the way out. I was lucky and there wasn't anyone there on the way in or the way out, so no fee for me (to be fair though, didn't exactly stop on the way out, didn't see anyone so I just kept driving). ***I want to say that this was about 16.5 miles from the FR328/FR328A intersection, not POSITIVE though***

Once you pay your toll, or skip through, continue down FR328. Pretty sure that on google maps, the part on the Rez is called Topocoba Hilltop Road. Anyways, continue on it for about 1.5 miles to where your next turn is (36.009310, -112.190391). The road to turn onto is called Pasture Wash.

You can't miss it, right before it, there is a sign on the left that says "BASS TRAIL" and points to the right:


And then, where you turn, there is some stuff hanging off a tree:


BUT SERIOUSLY: IF YOU DRIVE THROUGH THIS, YOU WENT TOO FAR.... LIKE I DID!!!


SO TURN RIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION!!!!!!

Continue on Pasture Wash for about 3.5 miles. Then that is where the old FS cabin is (GPS:36.13712, -112.3956). The cabin is cool to take a look at and take pictures of. There is an old barn out back too, probably a few things that I missed too.



When you're done exploring it, continue back on pasture wash for about 3.3 miles to what I will call the point of decision (POD) (GPS:36.179599, -112.374345). From here, you can go straight and continue to the South Bass Trail Head, or you can turn right (kinda a tight turn when you look at the aerial) and it will take you to the two campsites out by the point, and Havasupai Point itself.

From the POD, it is about 1/3 of a mile to the South Bass Trail Head.
From the POD, it is about 3 miles to Havasupai Point. I am not sure of the distance to the campsites, but they are along the road from the POD to HP.


GOOD LUCK! Hope that you have fun and have a great time checking it out!!!

(If anyone uses these directions and sees where they are off, then please let me know, so that I can correct these!)

 

I'll have to read this another time. But it looks good! Thanks!

 

That's some great info Rob
Thanks for taking the time for this write up

 

No worries. Like I had said, I had blown past the turn on the rez and went WAY too far when we had gone. Was kinda frustrating & my wife was freaking out because it was getting dark, my truck isn't 4x4, blah blah blah..... guess she doesn't get that the tent will open up ANYWHERE WE STOP

Anyways, was thinking "man, someone should do a write up on directions", then figured that someone should be me.

I like to keep a lot of places tight lipped, but seeing as there is a trail head there, it isn't exactly a secret, plus it is far out and a rugged drive so most wont try anyways.

 

I'm also on a Prerunner and it's good to know you made it. I have read about the South Bass trail and how you can camp on the trail head on top of the rim but no exact directions as how to get there so your write up is really helpfull

 

Came to like cool pictures and read the awesome post on directions.

 

Fuelpax added to the cabrac. I had thought about mounting it to the middle hoop of my bed rack, but decided to get it up and out of the way some. Not 100% on keeping it here, but will work for now, especially since I'm hitting the road tomorrow night.

Used the regular mount that comes with it, and just mounted it to two separate crossbars, with the ass end of it resting partially on a third crossbar for more support.

 

Food bought, truck loaded, waiting for my friend to fly in from Florida & then it's road trip time.

 

Very nice truck OP!

 

Thanks @ChadsPride!

 

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Few new current pics from last week's road trip. Will post more when I upload them all to my computer.