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  Topic Name: Shorter trails in southern Arizona? on: February 07, 2012, 10:49:37 AM
stinkiinki


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« on: February 07, 2012, 10:49:37 AM »

Hey, I just recently took interest in bike packing and was curious if there are any good beginners trails near the Tucson/Vail area. Something that could be accomplished in 2 to 3 days would be ideal. Trying to gauge whether it would be worth my while to invest in the gear beforehand.

Thanks in Advance!
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  Topic Name: Shorter trails in southern Arizona? Reply #1 on: February 07, 2012, 12:12:53 PM
AZTtripper
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« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2012, 12:12:53 PM »

Lots of options starting with the Arizona Trail near Colossal Cave.

Starting off of Pistol Hill road a main access point http://www.sdmb.org/trails/AZTrail-Pistol-Hill and riding south bound. The trail is mostly easy until you get to the Forest boundary then it starts getting tough.

You can always take hwy 83 south to Gardner Canyon road and then head west into the mountains. Then you could work on riding more of the trail on the way back. It's never going to be all down hill but its less climbing on the way back north.

Hasn't rained in a while so the only water source may be at Kentucky Camp (spigot) or possibly Gardner Canyon itself may be running there should still be snow melting. But if you don't have a water filter or some way to purify best to stick to the spigot.

You might also consider just doing a Sub 24 hour overnighter just to get your feet wet. This could easily be done on the AZT near Pistol Hill.   

Assuming you have been mountain biking for a while at least. Assuming you have some car camping and other outdoor experience. Assuming you'll be attempting to bikepack with heavy car camping type gear.

That's a lot of assumptions on my part. Its totally possible to get out there using what ever kit you have. But it's hard to cover much ground with heavy gear. Thus the idea of a shorter first time out.

If that works out for you give a 2 day one night run a shot with a little planning it can be a lot of fun. Or you may find yourself calling someone for a ride home when you run out of water and find yourself hurting.

Last summer a guy had to call in search and rescue when he got in over his head on the north end of the Catalina's.

Not trying to dissuade you in any way bikepacking is great fun once you get all of the bugs worked out.

I have learned a lot over the years and made a lot of mistakes. some of them more then once. I would be more then willing to answer and questions you have.

Tim

Welcome to Bikepacking the most fun you can have on 2 wheels.
 
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  Topic Name: Shorter trails in southern Arizona? Reply #2 on: February 07, 2012, 03:02:43 PM
stinkiinki


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« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2012, 03:02:43 PM »

Wow, everything I needed in an answer and more! Thanks for all the info! I've ridden the 3 Bridges portion of the Arizona Trail before so I'm familiar with that area (I believe it connects with Pistol Hill farther north), may be a good place to start since it has that camp site with the water spigot.
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  Topic Name: Shorter trails in southern Arizona? Reply #3 on: February 07, 2012, 04:29:39 PM
AZTtripper
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« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2012, 04:29:39 PM »

Yeah a good ride for you I would think 3 bridges to La Selvilla load up on water and head a little ways north to camp. Not that you'll never end up spending the night in a car camping spot but it's always better to be off away from cars.

Then look at doing a day ride south from there out to the Forest gate the trail crosses a jeep trail just before there take that and look to see if there is water in the upper lake. Not the nasty twin lakes down by the highway but the smaller one higher up. Then you could buy a water filter and start learning that side of it.

This is the one I like http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/fast-and-light-water-treatment-and-hydration/hyperflow-microfilter/product

Next thing you'll need to start looking at maps, I like this program http://www.topofusion.com/index.php you can get started for free. There are others that are free as well but TopoFusion is run by the same guy who runs this site. Then you can go to the routes page and down load the AZT network or better yet get the freshest tracks by going to the AZTR page.

Enjoy

Tim
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  Topic Name: Shorter trails in southern Arizona? Reply #4 on: February 08, 2012, 08:04:29 AM
stinkiinki


Location: Southern Arizona
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« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2012, 08:04:29 AM »

As far as maps go could I make do with printed ones or would it be in my best interest to invest in some sort of GPS? Also, would it be possible to make it 48 hours on just the water you can carry?
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  Topic Name: Shorter trails in southern Arizona? Reply #5 on: February 08, 2012, 03:41:53 PM
AZTtripper
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« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2012, 03:41:53 PM »

Eventually you'll likely want a gps but for starters if you stay local you should be fine with printed maps.

If you have a way to carry as much as 6-7 liters of water you might make it 48 hours 36 for sure. Kinda depends on temps of course.
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  Topic Name: Shorter trails in southern Arizona? Reply #6 on: February 09, 2012, 05:37:23 AM
AZTtripper
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« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2012, 05:37:23 AM »

On the water subject.

It can really hurt to run out. Maybe a water cache would be a good plan for you.

You could do a day ride out into the area you want to go and drop off water. Just make sure to carry enough on the actual trip that if your cache is gone you can still get out. If the cache is there then you can extend the ride.
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  Topic Name: Shorter trails in southern Arizona? Reply #7 on: February 09, 2012, 08:29:57 PM
stinkiinki


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« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2012, 08:29:57 PM »

Alright, I'd be looking at going when temps are like they are now, in the upper 60's during the day, so hopefully that means I can have a little wiggle room when it comes to water. And again thanks for all the advice! Definitely making the learning process a lot easier for me right now. I'm thinking I'll purchase a sleeping bag in the near future to see how I like it.
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