Hey Mark,
Yep, you are correct. New website in the works. I'm trying to get it done ASAP, but life/work keeps getting in the way. It's mostly the same info with updated pics/graphs, etc. Moving it over to a WordPress site.
I guess I'll throw this out to the AZTR hive: Is there anything in particular you all would like to see that's not on the current site? Might as well take some suggestions and see if I can incorporate it without too much issue.
For those who haven't heard:
Going forward the start date will be the 3rd Thursday in April each year to help alleviate any guessing of the start date. Just plan for a hot start...or rain...or snow!!
AZT300/750: Small route change at the top of Mt. Lemmon. In a nutshell, rider's will still climb the paved Catalina Hwy from Prison Camp, Mt. Bigelow spigot is still on route (Palisades). Continue up the pavement about 1 mile, turning right onto Mt. Bigelow Rd. (across from the Whitetail CG), climb a bit more on dirt road, then descend a ripping winding dirt road and join the 1918 trail (unsigned). Continue downhill on singletrack!! Cross the Hwy and continue on 1918, then link into Sunset trail. This is where the fun really begins!! Enjoy the incredible inner canyon views that you can't see from the Catalina Hwy while in downhill HAB mode. You're welcome. This trail eventually dumps in the Marshall Gulch TH, official link to the AZT BTW, the gradually climb up the paved road into the thriving community of Summerhaven. Yes, it is now ON route. Re-supply here, then make your way over to the Oracle Ridge TH and the current route. If you want a sneak peek at some pics from this section, see
my ride report from a while back (pay no attention to the stuff after my Oracle Ridge TH sign pic, the Crystal Spring & Butterfly trails are NOT part of the route!!)
Here's the
Trailforks area map for Mt. Lemmon, 1918 is listed as
blue (intermediate) & Sunset is
red (Double Black Diamond!!)
Ripsey area: Last weekend I rode from Tiger Mine TH (Oracle) to Kelvin. Trail is in really good shape although the smooth Boulders segment does have a ton of ruts from the monsoon season. Be careful rippin' through there!! Darkness was encroaching on our ride and we failed to see the new singletrack being constructed after the Boulders segment. By the looks of it, it should be completed by April. I'll get out there to update the 300/750 track. This new addition should bypass that crappy powerline segment (~2 miles) before peeling off to the Ripsey stuff. Speaking of Ripsey, the mining operation is definitely moving forward with their plans to use Ripsey wash for mine tailings. The AZT is unaffected, as of now, but as you near the Gila River crossing in Kelvin, you'll notice a brand new very high bridge towering over the old one-lane bridge. The track really isn't affected and it's still very easy to access the ADOT spigot for water & pizza delivery from Kearney!!
Two weeks ago I rode the Picketpost to Kelvin segment. Trail along the Gila is fantastic, poppies were already showing!! Should be a phenomenal year for wildflowers. The Gila Canyons section of trail is a bit chewed up from the rains, but only in sections. It's about as rideable as expected. There's currently one down Saguaro up in Martinez Canyon that was a little tricky to navigate over. The Gila River was so low, we could simply ride straight across near Cochran, this is where you should filter during the ride. Do NOT expect the cache box after crossing FR4 aka Telegraph Canyon Rd to have any public water. Besides, hikers need this resource much more than bikers, so
PLEASE filter plenty of water at the Gila before making the often scorching final push of 21 miles to Picketpost.
750 riders: There was to be a significant route change this year, but after some recon (still ongoing) and discussion with Scott, it will be added as
OPTIONAL this year. Maybe for those 750 vets looking for a new challenge, different scenery, more AZT??? This option essentially cuts out the Apache Trail (AZ88) and Tonto Basin pavement (AZ188). It takes a primarily dirt & singletrack route from the north end of the Jacob Crosscut Trail to Jake's Corner. It may add a day to the current route. We'd love a firsthand report or three in April!!
Here's a route description: From the end of Jacob Crosscut trail, cross AZ88 and pick up some social singletrack and dirt roads in the Goldfield Mtns. head down Bulldog Canyon to the Bush Hwy. A couple miles of pavement (re-supply available at Saguaro Lake Marina - Restaurant & snack bar with decent hours), then head down to Butcher Jones recreation site (no camping here, but there are pit toilets and water can be filter from Saguaro Lake easily). Enter OHV area, may be sandy for ~1 mile or so, begin climbing out of the wash on dirt roads, endure one ultra steep HAB, then join Four Peaks Rd. Climb. Then climb some more. 16 miles or so later you'll reach the cattle guard marking the top where you'll link up to the AZT!! (Passage 21 - Pine Mountain) Continue on dirt road (AZT) for ~10 miles, then hop on singletrack and navigate your way towards the tiny outpost of Sunflower. (No services) There should be water available to filter in Sycamore Creek before going under AZ87. Begin Passage 22 - Saddle Mountain. 5 more miles of singletrack await, then exit near Cross F Ranch, ride the old pavement of the defunct AZ87 for a short bit, then turn left onto FR201 & climb. Climb some more. 201 gets you back up high into the Mazatzal Mountains (most of which is Wilderness), back up in the pines you'll come to trail #47 Goldridge Trail. Descend for ~5 miles to the Deer Creek TH where you'll cross AZ87 and ride the shoulder of AZ188 into Jake's Corner for a much needed & well deserved re-supply. Continue on current route. I believe this option adds 22 miles overall & 7500' additional gain.
There's also some new singletrack up north on the Happy Jack passage!! Hooray!! That stuff is already signed and open for business. Here are some pics:
Happy JackAs you can see, lots happening!! Keep the AZT stoke alive!!
I'm planning on the 300, but may do it as an ITT on Friday to save a vacation day.
