2020 AZTR

[bmattingly]

Good job guys on the Northbound rides.

Last week there were 6 scheduled fire burns close to Flagstaff.  They postponed several because of the strong winds last week.  Not sure why they are having so many controlled burns?  It may because our monsoon rains were almost non existent this July/August.  The forests on the rim are extremely dry right now.  Controlled burns seem pretty stupid in a super dry forest but I guess they know what they are doing. For hunting season, rifles for deer started around Flagstaff November 1.  My friend told me there are alot of hunters drawn.  I think the archery hunting before rifles with deer seems safer.

For the vegetation in the South I recommend covering your shins and ankles.  I think the amount of riders of the 800 next October will make navigation easier day 1 or 2.

Man that 4 peaks section sounds tough.

[schillingsworth]

Guess what? The AZT800 has another update!! This is a significant one because it alters the route by Flagstaff. For those that don't know, the AZT splits a few miles south of Flagstaff, passage 33 (the traditional route) goes directly through town, Buffalo Park, then around the south side of Mt. Elden to Shultz Creek where it rejoins with passage 32 (Mt. Elden). Going forward, the AZT800 will be utilizing passage 32 taking riders up Fisher Pt. through Walnut Canyon, crossing under I-40 east of town and completing a loop around Mt. Elden to the north. This route is 100% singletrack and mighty fine singletrack at that. There is a 24 hour Conoco Station about 100 yards off the AZT at the US89 underpass. Cheap lodging is only 2 miles off route from that point for those wanting a bed/roof. This routing is more in line with how the trail skirts both Tucson & Phoenix. It also cuts out more pavement, which is always the goal. I'm also very pleased to say the official route now stands at 802 miles. So, there's that. I'll be posting an updated track shortly and more than likely this will be the one used for any spring ITT attempts. BTW, it was in the mid-80's here the past few days. It's Arizona in October, anything is possible in regards to the weather.

[AZTtripper]

We had a sobo rider this year as well http://trackleaders.com/aztrfall19i.php?name=Colin_Schindler he may have picked his own line here and there but a good full crossing. I think BMattingly is right on the amount of rider's. No doubt next year more will ITT early that and numbers should make the start just fine.

And John turns the screw just a bit tighter adding miles making bike shops farther away but staying more true with the trail. Misses the Memorial at Buffalo Park but Dale's version stayed away from towns so it's good to miss Flagstaff.

[schillingsworth]

AZT800 gpx track has been posted, both full size & reduced 10k. v4 is the current version. Unless any ATA projects wrap up between now & April, this will be the track for any spring ITT attempts. The 300 is not affected by this update.

AZT300/800 gpx

*Elevation profile poster has not been updated yet.

[schillingsworth]

Ok, once again the gpx files for both the 300 & 800 have been updated to reflect the USFS closure on Mt. Lemmon & 1918 trail. The current versions are: AZT300_2020v1 & AZT800_2020v5. (10k files updated as well) *Route still goes through Summerhaven, so the downhill boulder scramble is still on route!!  Please be sure to update your files here:

https://aztrail.home.blog/route-gpx/

[wookieone]

I am so torn. I have a great window to give the 800 a run in early April, but the more I read the more I want to ride the Kaibab ST...don't think I'll get too many more windows for this any time soon. I am so itching to ride this route it is also hard to think about waiting another 5 months. There are much worse things to ponder...

-Jefe-

[schillingsworth]

Jefe,
I hear ya!! My .02, do the 800 in April as planned, take the window of opportunity while you can. Then, if a smaller window opens, or the family does a campout, hint, hint, do the updated Kaibab 230 route posted on the AES website during prime season. (Late May - June or right after monsoon season). You really can't go wrong there.

[geekonabike]

Can someone with a better grasp of the Flag area give me a 'ballpark description' of this camping closure area as it relates to the AZT?      https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd694026.pdf
I'm thinking the coco GIS person had a meltdown on seeing this boundary description. Hince the lack of a map

[AZTtripper]

I know the area around Mountainaire, the Kelly canyon ride is over there. All of the FS land close to the cabins of Kachina village had been signed no camping for years. I can't make sense of pdf either, maybe someone at the ATAs Facebook hikers group knows more. As far as I can tell it's all the way around town as you get close to homes.

[Randell]

Hello. New to this forum. New to bikepacking. So this might be a dumb question, but when the AZTR route deviates from the AZ trail is there a guiding principle as to why or is it different in each instance? I?m considering a ride and wondering what the differences would be if I rode the AZTR route or chose to stay on the AZ trail, for example staying on the trail through Mount Wrightson Wilderness. Thanks for any input.

[Adam Alphabet]

Hello. New to this forum. New to bikepacking. So this might be a dumb question, but when the AZTR route deviates from the AZ trail is there a guiding principle as to why or is it different in each instance? I?m considering a ride and wondering what the differences would be if I rode the AZTR route or chose to stay on the AZ trail, for example staying on the trail through Mount Wrightson Wilderness. Thanks for any input.

Bicycles are not allowed in wilderness designated areas hence the route deviation to pass around them. The route then rejoins the AZT outside of the wilderness boundaries.

[Randell]

Bicycles are not allowed in wilderness designated areas hence the route deviation to pass around them. The route then rejoins the AZT outside of the wilderness boundaries.

Thanks.

[schillingsworth]

Randell,
Good question. To clarify a bit further, not only are bikes not allowed in Wilderness areas, this also means possession. So, you can't simply carry your bike through a designated Wilderness area either. I think there's been some confusion on that over the years.

[schillingsworth]

All,
I've been hard at work finalizing the designs for the 300, 800 & retired 750 for finishers patches, stickers and general logo stickers. I'm happy to say the 300 patches are currently in production, the 750 patch order has been submitted awaiting final approval and a sample. The stickers have been ordered for all designs and have been shipped out.

I put together an ordering process on the website under the SWAG heading. Funds generated will go towards future patch/sticker orders and donations to the ATA specifically for bike rollover gates. We all love those and need a ton more!!

Please thoroughly read the instructions on the ordering page to help me keep things easy, I really appreciate it. I hope you all dig the logos and display them proudly. *I'll update the webpage with patch photos when I receive them

AZTR SWAG

Please share!! Especially to any 750 finisher as I only intend to make one patch order.

[schillingsworth]

For those who do the Instagram thing, I created an account: @azt300_800 give it a follow. I'll post route pics, updates, etc.

[Trhoppe]

Anyone considering the AZTR 800 coronavirus edition?

We quit our jobs and have been traveling the world since Jan 1 and this thing has forced us back into the US. We?re going to lay low for a few weeks, but I was thinking of doing an ITT around April 13th or so.

Good idea? Great idea? Terrible idea?

I don?t think virus impacts to the communities/stores would be much of a concern, as its really buying stuff at convenience stores and such.

If the Grand Canyon is closed, I guess I would just ride the road to Lake Powell or something?

[AZTtripper]

I was thinking of doing an ITT around April 13th or so.

Good idea? Great idea? Terrible idea?

Unfortunately the ATA in not recommending doing the trail this spring. Apparently some of the water caches have been raided by non hikers, check the ATA website maybe things will change by then.

Sorry to say it.
Tim

[Trhoppe]

Thanks for that. I just read their note and kind of forgot that gas station and the small town stores might be raided and not have stock of powdered donuts.

I think it might make sense to hold off on this

[AZTtripper]

Well it's certainly your call, I wouldn't want to be the one to talk anybody out of a great adventure. Back in 06 there was a hiker who wanted to do the whole trail carrying all of his food from the start. That would have been bad ass but it didn't happen.

[AZTtripper]

ITT attempt in progress http://trackleaders.com/aztrspr20f.php
Also there's a hiker going for a fkt on the tracker as well. Hoping for the best for both of them. Grand Canyon has shut down river permits, not sure about trails. If the Park closes Justin could still get a great ride by just riding back south he's talking yoyo anyway.