Time period to ride Coconino loop?

[chequamegon]

Hey guys -

I am thinking of the Coconino loop as a kickstarter to my year in March/April.  The average temps are low, but manageable, for instance, I rode Koko last April and was fine camping a 45 degree bag in 25 degree nights.

My main question is snowpack.  Is it rideable?   A lot of push?  Those that have done the push at high elevations of Koko before, how does it compare to that wet slog?

Basically, around late March every year I get the cabin fever and need to get away from the snow.  After 10 consecutive years in Moab/Fruita, its time to try something new.

[ScottM]

Hard to say since it depends on the year.  There probably won't be much snow except perhaps on the north side of Williams Mountain (which is easily skipped, but would be a bit of a bummer since it's awesome trail).  Mud all throughout the first 30-40 miles heading south out of Flag could be a show stopper though.

I'd post again later in the winter to see what we or locals know of current conditions.  It should be possible, but March and early April are less likely.

[rhino]

researching, reviving old threads.
Any locals have knowledge of the conditions (spring 2011) of Coconino trails as mentioned above.  Any speculation on snow and mud mid-April 2011?

[sherpaxc]

If one had to choose between the Coco and the AZT 300, which one would that be?  I know, I know, just do both!  I wish.  Which one would you ride FIRST?

[Sean Allan]

I'm interested as well. The wife and I will be in AZ for 2 weeks starting on the 15th, we had originally planned on the Coconino stage race route but I am having second thoughts, especially as we are getting pounded here in NorCal by rain and snow. The other option would be an out and back on the AZT from Superior. We would likely only be out for 4 days regardless of where we go. Who's got info? Is there info. anywhere on the Benham trail or is that still too high to get around BW.

[AZTtripper]

If one had to choose between the Coco and the AZT 300, which one would that be?  I know, I know, just do both!  I wish.  Which one would you ride FIRST?

Are you wanting to just do a ride or one of the events. Two completely different scenes. I would say do the Coco first as the logistics are easier and there is a lot of fun riding as well as several resupply options.

Hope that helps, Tim

I'm interested as well. The wife and I will be in AZ for 2 weeks starting on the 15th, we had originally planned on the Coconino stage race route but I am having second thoughts, especially as we are getting pounded here in NorCal by rain and snow. The other option would be an out and back on the AZT from Superior. We would likely only be out for 4 days regardless of where we go. Who's got info? Is there info. anywhere on the Benham trail or is that still too high to get around BW.

Sounds like the north country has a fair bit of snow still, any Flag riders out there what's it looking like for mid to late April?

Lots of great riding around Superior could be warm but still doable that time of year. I have done several trips up that way recently haven't taken the time to do a write up yet. The AZT 300 course will have to change this year do to construction at the diversion dam. On one trip we started at the Picket Post (AZT TH west of Superior, finish line of the 300) and rode South on the 300 course and then the Gila Ramble course over to the Artesian Well a very tough 35 miles some ST but mostly jeep trails. The other trip was from Freeman road to Picket Post with the Ripsey Hill section (this is where the 300 has always left the AZT for the diversion dam detour). The AZT is not yet complete in this area so there has been some pavement involved on these trips. The crux of putting together a 4 day ride may well be water access. The Artesian Well is a good one there is also a good spring tank at the South end of Ripsey (in the wash South of the trail). A good 4 day figure 8 might be to ride to the Well and then to the Gila River cross at the RR bridge (as not recommended by the Ramble) then use roads to access the Ripsey Spring up and over Ripsey Hill and back to cross the river on the Kelvin Bridge then highway back to Superior. You could go up Telegraph and then down the AZT right to the TH or take the easy way on the LOST (Legends of Superior Trail) back to the TH. All of the tracks (except the LOST) are available from the AZT route matrix. If you want the LOST track just send me a PM with a email address and I can get it to you.

Hope that helps, Tim

[Chad B]

If one had to choose between the Coco and the AZT 300, which one would that be?  I know, I know, just do both!  I wish.  Which one would you ride FIRST?

Coconino has a bit more to see and is a loop...I would vote for it first, then the 300 at a later time.

[Sean Allan]

Tim, Thanks for the info. I think it is a given that if the conditions are O.K. we will do the Coco route, Bill Williams trail or not. From a logistics point of veiw it just works out better, and I NEED it to work out for the Wifes sake. She's a great rider and has won some 24 hour races, so she's tough, but I don't want to make her first ultralight trip too epic. Now that being said, I have come up with this loop from Oracle out to Superior and back with the Gila River Ramble, I'll need to add whatever detour you guys come up with for the diversion dam for the return trip that would bypass the GRR. So, Oracle, Gila River Ramble, Superior and then back straight from Superior to Oracle with the detour. Seems like water would be doable, I can carry 2 100 oz bladders if that's needed, we'll have 3 water bottles between us. Logistically we need to start near Tucson or Flagstaff as we will be bringing our dog on the trip and need to board her in one of those two cities.

What do you Guys think?

[Chad B]

PM sent regarding water information.

Sounds like a great trip. I am hoping to get out to the Gila next weekend with Scott and Lee. I live about 30 minutes south of Oracle. If you need a place to lay your head one night before you enjoy some singletrack, let me know....I have two rooms for any mountain bikers passing through.

[jimfab]

Seems like water would be doable, I can carry 2 100 oz bladders if that's needed, we'll have 3 water bottles between us. Logistically we need to start near Tucson or Flagstaff as we will be bringing our dog on the trip and need to board her in one of those two cities.

What do you Guys think?

IMO- you may want to reconsider your H20 in this area.( Gila area ) 200oz + 3 bottles is enough for one person out there. There is H20 out there but it is easy to miss, easy to get lost, and it may not be good or working. Don't let the miles fool you, it is rough country. Expect temps in the 90's and no shade all day. It will be a good time!

Desert survival tip..... the bee's will lead you to the water..... If you find yourself in the area of a known spring but cant find it, listen for Bee's buzzing, they are never far from water.

[Sean Allan]

IMO- you may want to reconsider your H20 in this area.( Gila area ) 200oz + 3 bottles is enough for one person out there. There is H20 out there but it is easy to miss, easy to get lost, and it may not be good or working. Don't let the miles fool you, it is rough country. Expect temps in the 90's and no shade all day. It will be a good time!

Desert survival tip..... the bee's will lead you to the water..... If you find yourself in the area of a known spring but cant find it, listen for Bee's buzzing, they are never far from water.

So anyone who ventures out there is carrying 275oz of water a day? The GPS tracks show 3 water sources in less than 80 miles, that doesn't include the two towns.

[jimfab]

It is just my opinion. 200 as a minimum each. The daytime high today was just under 90 and is projected to be in the upper 90's by friday. Humidity as always was low. There are 30 mile stretches of desert that can take 5-6 hours for a solid rider with no issues. I always recommend that you play it safe when it comes to water in the desert. Many can do with less, but why chance it. The penalty for failure is quite high. I would hate to see anybody get hurt out there.

Just my opinion. Have a good time out there!

[Sean Allan]

I wasn't real clear, the wife will have 150oz on her as well.

[AZTtripper]

I wasn't real clear, the wife will have 150oz on her as well.

The post was a little miss leading as it did sound like 275 for both. I am sure you guys will do fine. One word of caution though don't completely rely on the Freeman cache, even though it was there last week it has been tampered with in the past. Also please take just enough to get you to the Ripsey spring so as to leave plenty for the next guy.

[Sean Allan]

Thanks, didn't realize I left that slight detail out . We've ridden in the desert a lot, but only day trips so I understand and appreciate everyones caution. We would either stock or resupply the cache at Freeman, I'm assuming it is easy enough to get to with a 4WD.

What kind of water year have you Guys had thus far?

[rhino]

you guys should take the AZT water talk to the AZ300 thread.  This thread is now for Hermes Handbags.

[AZTtripper]

Right well those hand bags might make good water carrying devices.

Yes it's easy to drive to the cache on Freeman road.

Looks like the 300 may be using the canal bridge over by the diversion dam lots of dirt road riding to get there. For a more pleasant more single track route I would still do Ripsey.

[AZTtripper]

I'm interested as well. The wife and I will be in AZ for 2 weeks starting on the 15th, 

Not to throw a monkey wrench into your plans but man it's getting hot around here. Not sure how much snow there is in the highest parts like Bill Williams but it's got to be melting fast. So to throw out another option. Flagstaff south or the AZT near Mogollon Rim and the Cabin Loop http://mtbikeaz.com/trail-index/mogollon-rim/cabin-loop-trail/ elevations all between 6000-7000 feet.

I am looking at doing a 50 mile 2 day ride up that way at the end of April. Slightly lower then the Coco lots of creeks. The only down side is it's not the classic Sonoran Desert like you get down south.

[jimfab]

Tim

That looks fun! Were you able to get your bike issue fixed? Still dreaming of the AZT 

101 deg on my local trail today...... ........

[AZTtripper]

Actually once I got home I found another issue this time with the fork.

I'll be riding a borrowed bike today. I was able to get a ride in last weekend using my wife's rigid 26er. I am going to put together my old Kona possibly as a 69r.

This double loop ride should be good. I did both of these loops last June when I was up that way camping. The Rock Crossing TH is pretty easy to access better then the General Springs where most start the Cabin Loop. Cabin has some fun tech stuff on it. The east half of the Rock Crossing is the same as the AZT green route. Then I used the Moqui Lookout Tower road to get back to the AZT. This could easily be extended north on more roads and then the AZT back to Rock Crossing.

I figured for a quick 2 day ride 50 miles was enough as my riding partner needs to get back to the family on Sunday.