Trail Tested - Western Pioneer

There’s no easy way to get to the Bar 10 Ranch in Northern Arizona. In fact, thanks to their location, the ranch is completely cut off from the rest of the state by a little crevice in their back yard known as the Grand Canyon. It's 67 miles to the nearest power line, and 80 miles of brutal trail to any town in Nevada or Utah. During our recent visit to the Bar 10, we couldn’t help but think the first Pioneers to settle here must have either been lost, attempting to start their own religious movement, or on the run from the hangin’ arm of the law. No doubt it would be a good story, but we weren’t there to learn about the first Pioneers to visit here, but instead the most recent.

Welcome to the Bar 10

Honda wanted to show their new Pioneer 700 was as at home on the trail as it is on the job site or around the farm, and they picked the Bar 10 Ranch as a base for a couple days of rugged, trail riding adventure. They could hardly have picked a better place. The surrounding territory is so rugged and remote the Honda semi delivering the Pioneers didn’t even make it, and one by one the Pioneers would be driven the last few miles to the ranch. Our entry was somewhat less problematic and we were flown into the ranch’s own (and very short) airstrip after leaving Las Vegas. Looking out the plane windows as the rocks and brush rushed by only two steps off the landing gear, and at the immensity of the surrounding canyon walls, we knew already it was going to be an adventure to remember.

It wouldn't be a ranch without a bunkhouse, a large fire pit, and a hearty ranch dinner. We shuttled our gear into the main bunkhouse and began to explore the ranch and scenery. Huge canyons and vast territory have a way of making one feel small, but it's also incredibly easy to relax in places like this and as the sun began to set, we lined up at the grill and met Billy. Billy, as it turned out, was one of the ranch's grass fed steers that departed his earthly confines that morning but was well spoken of by all at dinner that evening. Nothing tastes better than fresh cow grilled outside, especially in a western setting as spectacular as the Bar 10 Ranch. After dinner, we had a brief presentation on the Pioneer, a rough plan for the day ahead, and plenty of time to listen to the crackling fire and the howl of coyotes in the valley below.

Cowboy Up

I was up early, but the ring of the dinner bell called our group to a traditional cowboy breakfast. It was hard to pass up seconds of the flapjacks, eggs, biscuits, and sausage and I couldn’t help but think cowboys must never eat light, or apparently low in fat, but damn it was good. I was ready to ride though and after gathering up my gear, I headed for the lineup of Pioneer 700’s that waited outside like horses at a rail. I generally like the styling on both Pioneer models, which is identical except for the second row of seats that can be folded out of the 700-4 bed. Styling is sporty, strong, and functional, but also highly durable thanks to Honda’s excellent bodywork. Inside the cab area is a bench seat, with all controls on the dash. To the left of the steering wheel is a parking brake, a digital instrument cluster is center mounted above the wheel, and to the right is the gear shift lever and 2wd/4wd/Diff lock lever along with a 12 volt accessory outlet. A small glove box gives some protected storage, but we would love to have more storage on a machine like this. Side protection is a combination of nets and doors, and while the doors are quick and secure, the nets get to be a pain when climbing in and out multiple times.

Before long the rest of our group was saddled up and ready to go. I slipped the Pioneer into gear and put the spurs to it with only open trail and high plateaus ahead. I’ve been using a Pioneer 700-4 back home for hauling firewood, working on a ball diamond, jobs around the farm, and occasional hunting trips, but any recreational riding has been far surpassed by work. It’s performed very well for any task, but I was anxious to have a couple days with the Pioneer running down western trails and climbing rugged hills. It didn’t take long to find just what I had hoped for.

Not long after crossing through the Bar 10 ranch gates, I turned loose on an open trail and it seemed as eager to run as I was. Thanks to EFI, the liquid cooled, 675cc single cylinder engine pulls nicely. Top speed is around 44 mph and it doesn’t take long to get there, but that was fast enough for this section of the trail, and we rarely need more speed anyway. You can hear both the exhaust and a slight bit of feedback from the air intake, but we don’t consider it obnoxious or annoying. It purrs along smoothly with a familiar “Honda” sound, always at the right point in the powerband due to the three speed automatic transmission. After our jaunt across the valley floor, I came to the first challenge of the day: a long, rocky climb strewn with loose gravel and rocks of all size, and an unforgiving edge on one side. There was no room for error. At the base of the climb, I slipped the Pioneer into 4WD with the dash mounted lever, pointed it at the clouds, and carefully began picking my way to the top. Again the Honda engine was responsive to throttle input, throttle angle was very good and easy to control even over rough terrain, and although the Pioneer does not feature power steering, it was not a problem maneuvering around rocks, tight corners, or any other trail obstacles. Everything on the vehicle felt tight, and cab noise was negligible. It was just what we would expect from Honda.

High Desert Trail

Climbing the rocky hill was a thrill, but once atop a giant plateau you could see even more of the surrounding terrain and cliff faces in the distance. Here the high desert trail wound between the scrub brush and generally followed cattle trails for many miles. Again, it was possible to test the Pioneer at higher speeds and it effortlessly darts between obstacles and around corners. Part of this is because of excellent front end geometry, but also because the Pioneer weighs much less than competing machines. Weight is balanced very evenly from front to back so it never felt tippy or unstable. It’s easy to forget this is a 4-seat machine. The only shortcoming would be the suspension and you needed to watch for cross ruts and rocks. The Pioneer suspension is adequate at low speeds, but it’s easy to bottom as speed increases and there is no adjustment to compensate with.

The trail quickly turned more scenic and full of the red hued rocks that make up the canyon, and in another mile we rolled to a stop only a few yards from the edge. Everyone in our group headed for the edge, but by many different methods marked by their own strengths. Some crept up slowly, some sat down a few yards back, and an intrepid few walked up casually. One thing was certain; going over the edge would be an event for all to remember. Yes, I walked up, and I was glad to see the canyon unencumbered by any hand rail, warning sign, or man-made barrier designed to protect me from what my heightened senses already knew. Ahead and in all directions lay one of nature’s greatest works of unimaginable, timeless beauty that though timeless, marked the passing of thousands of years, oblivious to our presence or to any man before, or to come after. No photo could capture the unconquerable canyon, but our group took many to mark the occasion and all too soon it was time to head down.

The Mighty Colorado 

After a brief visit to another rock outcropping known as Whitmore Point and another majestic view of canyons below, it was time to venture back down into the valley. Again I slipped the Pioneer into 4wd to test the engine braking, which did a great job of controlling the Pioneer down the hill. The trick was to leave your foot off the throttle and let the engine idle take control. In a few spots the loose rocks would let the tires slide, but it was still very controllable. Luckily, Honda gave the Pioneer an excellent set of brakes that at first appear oversized, but Honda wanted to be sure you could safely stop both the Pioneer and the 1500 pound load it is rated to tow. One thing I was particularly happy with on the Pioneer was the tires. It’s easy to cut tires in areas with plenty of loose, sharp rocks, and this place was loaded with them. The stock tires held up well and I never had a problem, even in the volcanic rocks.

Once back on the valley floor, we stopped for lunch, and then set out deep into the canyons to meet the mighty Colorado River up close and personal. Distances are deceiving in the Grand Canyon and what looked to be just a short jaunt turned into at least another 35 mile round trip. That would be no problem for the Pioneer and before long we found ourselves winding between huge, dark piles of volcanic rock ejected eons ago. The Pioneer handled the twisty trail easily, and the unique automatic transmission shifted smoothly as needed to keep the engine in the powerband. Before long we were at another cliff, this time looking down at the river far below. I didn’t realize the river was once dammed up by a volcano thousands of years ago, but on the canyon wall you could clearly see when flowing lava had created a natural dam and a lake at least 2000’ deep. As our group stared at the turbulent water, we began to plot a course to get to the river’s edge. A small walking trail would take you down to the river and it looked to be no problem. After about a half hour hike along winding trail and cliff edge, the group stopped for a quick check of position, and despite having made considerable progress down into the canyon, it appeared we were no closer to the river which was still far below. More walking took us further from the Pioneers above, but still the river was far out of reach, and we began to consider when darkness would overtake the canyon. Rather than get caught in darkness, we decided to abandon our river quest only to be faced with a long, leg aching climb back to where we had started. Dragging into camp, we couldn’t get to the Gatorade and snack cooler fast enough. Piling into the comfy seat of the Pioneer never felt so good and it was great to be heading back to the ranch for another hearty cowboy meal. We had explored a part of the majestic Grand Canyon in areas few will ever see and it would be the memory of a lifetime.

Arizona Pioneer 

The Honda Pioneer 700 and 700-4 definitely proved their trail worthiness during our adventure ride in the Grand Canyon. They’re durable, reliable, and ready to explore any untamed territory just like the original Pioneers. We’re ready for another Pioneer adventure anytime soon.