Stagecoach 400 Route in Late December? Possible?

[markphx]

My family vacations in Palm Springs for a couple of weeks in late December every year. I've known of the Stagecoach 400 route for a few months now and since I'll be in the area, I'd like to ITT it on my fatbike in late December. In 2011, my brother and I were able to pull off the Cactus to Clouds hike in the San Jacinto Mountains a couple of days after Christmas. I know last year was a pretty mellow snow year for that area, but we didn't hit the faintest bit of snow until we were over 6K in elevation. It looks like the Stagecoach route doesn't break 6K in it's entire length. This brings me to the point of this post. Do you think it's possible to do the Stagecoach 400 in late December? Or will it involve a posthole hike-a-bike slog through the snow at the higher elevations?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

- Mark

[abhemet]

I'm not sure. I live really close. here is near Thomas mountain really near the route. here is how it was In February here is what we were slogging though for many miles.
As you can see my bike is standing up by it self.
It might be still fine. I was also thinking about doing that route as soon as it cool off here. Its been over 100 degrees here. Not sure if I helped.

[markphx]

Hey,

Thanks for the pics and info. Any bit helps. I'm hoping winter won't be in full force until after December, but you never know. I'll probably end up going for a Stagecoach ITT in December regardless of snow. At least the weather in Anza-Borrego and San Diego will be awesome.

[Roland Sturm]

It might be the perfect time, just not that predictable. Certainly good time for the desert and even if there had been a recent storm, maybe all you need to skip is Idyllwild/Thomas Mountain. That part sticks out separately and you could just loop through Anza. The only other potentially snowy area would be Sunrise Highway before you get to Noble Canyon. It was just fine in Dec, but strangely enough not the weekend I was in Julian in April. So snow can happen at unexpected times. More likely than not that it is a good time to ride there.

[markphx]

It might be the perfect time, just not that predictable. Certainly good time for the desert and even if there had been a recent storm, maybe all you need to skip is Idyllwild/Thomas Mountain. That part sticks out separately and you could just loop through Anza. The only other potentially snowy area would be Sunrise Highway before you get to Noble Canyon. It was just fine in Dec, but strangely enough not the weekend I was in Julian in April. So snow can happen at unexpected times. More likely than not that it is a good time to ride there.

Awesome man. Thanks for the input. Any chance you might know where I can find a gpx file of the Stagecoach route? I tried checking The SoCal Endurance Series website, but I couldn't find anything. I'd like to start planning resupply points and mileage/elevation goals to ensure I meet the sub 5 day time cutoff.

[the tortoise]

I don't think a fat bike is the tool of choice for this race particularly if you are going for time. A 29er with fat good rolling tires would be much better. Usually we don't get our bigger storms and snow til after the first of the year and the desert should be nice but perhaps a bit loose and sandy depending on how much moisture you get before then.
Links:
Julian historical weather: http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/garden/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/92036
Borrego historical weather: http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/92004

Event page: http://socalenduro.wordpress.com/stagecoach-400/ Contact Brendan for a gps file. You will probably have to reroute a section that goes through Indian land. Too bad, you will miss a hugely cruel hike a bike!

[ec_duz_it]

I do not know how high the Stagecoach 400 goes, but if we have another drought this winter like last year,  it should be doable in December.  Much more doable in December than say March.   But if we have an El Nino year, I wouldn't even think of attempting it.  If you want just a day ride, I did these singletrack trails in December 2 years ago. They were quite fun:

http://www.mountainbikebill.com/PalmSpringsGoatTrails.htm

[brendanc]

As somebody intimately familiar with the route, yes I'd say it *could* be great, but there's just a good likelihood it won't be optimal. You'll have cold temps in the mountains for sure, but even so you might be able to plan around spending your nights at lower elevations. (it's California, you'll have that luxury)
Even if you can't ride the whole route, you'll certainly have portions of it in great shape.

Get in touch with me for the GPX file. I'm re-doing it very soon with some important changes. Once that's done in about a month I'll make it available for public download.

B

[abhemet]

Are still planning doing the route? I'm going to be taking some time off at the end of month December. I might be able to go depending on the time your going if my PTO gets approved. Not sure if you want somebody to go with you.

[markphx]

Are still planning doing the route? I'm going to be taking some time off at the end of month December. I might be able to go depending on the time your going if my PTO gets approved. Not sure if you want somebody to go with you.

Yeah, my buddy and I are still planning on doing the route. Airfare has been purchased, so we're committed now, regardless of weather. We plan on starting on Saturday morning, December 22 and finishing by Thursday morning, December 27. The only thing that you might find unappealing is the fact that we'll be riding the route on Xmas Eve and Xmas. You're more than welcome to join us. If these dates work for you, let me know.

[abhemet]

that sounds fine to me but that might not be fine with my wife. Who knows she might go for it. if anything I can ride Saturday, and Sunday and have her pick me up sometime Monday since I live in the area unless my wife has other plans she hasn't told me about going somewhere. Any way it all depends on if I get the time off. Still waiting for my boss to approve it. I'm actual going up in that area to do a overnight on Friday Oct 26th coming back the 27th. Riding from my house its going to be around 90 to 100 miles depending on the route we take. Three of my buddy's and I going. This will be  there first overnight. I'm trying to get my buddy's on the band wagon. For some reason its tough to get people to do this type of stuff. They think sounds cool and want to do it and say they want to do it. but when comes around the time to do it they flake or say they haven't got there gear yet. AT least they finally got there gear. This will be a shake down for them and hopefully open there eyes how this expands there minds how this opens us up to new level of fun and exploration. I will keep you informed

[abhemet]

I still haven't found out about the dates yet. Brendan and some others just left yesterday to reroute the stage coach route. They should be done in few days. Its getting cold for california. I went on overnight two weeks ago and it was still pretty good. It only got 43 degrees at night. But one of my buddy's went this last weekend to the same area it 29 degrees. Not sure if my sleeping bag is good unuf. I might have to get a liner or another bag. I will keep you posted.

[Roland Sturm]

Brendan's tracker is here, last night they stayed in San Diego. They are using more roads than the spring route (e.g. skipped Fishcreek on the first day).  

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0c0TtsnqymspbMGZQltvE1eqeP7FqFXW1

With my broken collarbone (and surgery a few weeks ago), I'm not riding anywhere interesting these days (although I bike to work again), so I just watch trackers.... But gives me time to write up trips earlier in the year. Stagecoach summary is here: http://rolandsturm.blogspot.com/2012_05_01_archive.html

[Ogre]

I live about 4 hours from Idyllwild and have the week off. I'd be interested in doing this if you wouldn't mind a tag-along, have wife's tentative approval. I plan on being fully self-sufficient so no worries about dragging anything down. I lived in San Diego for about 10 years...about 10 years ago, so may be familiar with portions of the route. I definitely know where the best burrito's in San Diego can be found. I just returned from Moab where I completed a self supported three day on the Kokopelli, which only really had one full day of riding, so I think I can handle your planned pace. Let me know how to get in touch if interested.

[abhemet]

Don't think I will be able to join you. I don't know if I can get my bike fixed by then. I was riding it yesterday going the lost canyon part of the route to check it out before I went with you and my freewheel began stick and when I don't pedal the freewheel keeps moving and the chain gets sucked into the frame. I removed the cassette to look at the freewheel part the cassette goes on and where one of the switch flip things is attached to the alloy where its attached is broken. I need to buy a new hub. Being the holiday season and other obligations I don't think I will be able to get fixed before then. My only other bike is my single speed. I don't think I would be able to make the journey on this bike without slowing you down alot.

[brendanc]

They're doing it!
Mark is logging a Time Trial effort on Trackleaders. Check it out: http://socalenduro.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/mark-allens-holiday-itt-of-stagecoach-400-route/

[the tortoise]

Weather looks shaky starting this afternoon. Hopefully they can get through the Lagunas and Cuyamacas by then.

[brendanc]

The last track I saw had them turning on to Hapaha Flat. It'll throw some tough bits at them but could get them to the RV park by 10am.
They'll have a chilly day in the mountains for sure, but the riding could be very good.

[brendanc]

Looks like they stopped in the forest land just short of Descanso. Overnight temp was warmer than it has been lately, but wet & drizzly.
Great breakfast in Descanso awaits at Veronica's Cafe.

[brendanc]

They spent last night in Pamo Valley. Pretty area, more cows than people. It's climby from there out, all the way home to Idyllwild. Today's weather isn't good. Raining now, snow to come later, down to 4,000 ft.