2021 AZTR

[schillingsworth]

Happy New Year ya freaks!! 2021 is here and hopefully we can get back to some semblance of normalcy, like a Grand Depart!!
Speaking of, the Grand Depart is scheduled for Thursday, October 28th, 2021. This is the latest start based on the 4th Thursday model. Depending on how this year shakes out, I may move it forward a week. This past year, we had one finisher of the inaugural AZ1000, Ralph almost made it to Stateline without winter weather, but he got snagged near Flagstaff around the second week of Nov. Anyway, we'll keep an eye on things going forward. Cold/snow up north or extreme heat down south?? That's Arizona for you.

Some route notes:
The AZT800 is still closed. The area around Four Peaks & Sunflower is off-limits at this time. Closure order doesn't expire until spring, then the AZT needs to be evaluated for access. Wildfires ravaged over 100 miles of AZT in 2020, please consider a donation to the ATA: https://aztrail.org/get-involved/donate/ So, with all that said, the AZ1000 will once again be the route this fall in conjunction with the AZT300.
Look for new singletrack in the Canelo Hills West for both routes. It's a fantastic addition. However, it does mean that Patagonia is now off-route. It's 4 miles slightly downhill into town OR stay on the route up SR82 to Sonoita. Keep in mind, in the next year or two, Sonoita will be off-route as well as the Temporal Gulch singletrack project will be completed thru to Gardner Canyon.
As posted a few weeks ago, Oracle Ridge has re-opened. I'd like to get down to Mt. Lemmon to check it out for myself, hopefully before snow piles up.
There's a mile or so of new-ish singletrack added to the route right after the Boulders segment. It cuts out a sizable section of that powerline road, the singletrack had been built a few years ago, but the connection is stuck in the State Trust permit office. So, the trail technically deadends in a wash. Fear not, there's a short connection to a 2-track that leads back to the powerline road. It's a cool bit of trail that needs some tires put to it. We'll do our part.
Farther north on the 1000, I trimmed a bit of the spaghetti bowl in Brown's Ranch to help with navigation. Still a lot of turns, but a fun bit of riding.
AZT300 & AZ1000 gpx tracks for 2021 have been posted to the website: https://aztrail.home.blog/route-gpx/

Rules:
Did some house cleaning here. There was a bit of redundancy, so I cropped out a bit.
Added a section about media support to fall in line with the Colorado Trail Race's stance on it. No pre-arranged media support. Self-document all you like. If you have to have media following you, do it on your own, not during the AZTR, else expect an * and no records will be noted for a media covered attempt.
https://aztrail.home.blog/rules/

Grand Canyon:
This isn't new, but can't be reiterated enough. Your bike MUST be disassembled and attached to your back, wheels must NOT touch the ground. No rolling/riding below the rim. No exceptions. If you plan to camp/sleep/nap, you need a backcountry permit for either Bright Angel or Cottonwood CGs. Again, no exceptions. Anyone caught in violation of these basic rules are instantly disqualified and banned from future events. You will also be reported to the Grand Canyon National Park Service. Be on your best behavior, yield to all, smile, have fun. Yeah, it's hard. It's supposed to be, but it is doable. Plan, plan, plan and ask questions if you are unsure.

Remember, ITTs are always welcomed and encouraged. Please carry a mask for entering public areas and limit interaction whenever possible. Be safe, plan away, stay healthy and ride on. I hope to see you on the AZT in 2021.

[taprider]

Yee Haw, hoping 2021 works out for the 1000

How does one get a camping permit for the Grand Canyon south bound in late October?

[ScottM]

All good stuff, Mr. Schillingsworth!  Thanks again for taking over the helm.  You've continued to show it's in good hands.

2021 tracking map is already live:

http://trackleaders.com/aztr21f.php

Justin Dooby will go for an unprecedented mid-January ITT on the 300 -- southbound!  I'll be watching that

In case anyone else thinks they can carry all the extra batteries needed for 14 hours of night riding, here is the Trackleaders signup:

https://form.jotform.com/trackleaders/aztr21

Yee Haw, hoping 2021 works out for the 1000

How does one get a camping permit for the Grand Canyon south bound in late October?

I would try calling the backcountry office.  I suppose with a SoBo run you could lock in a date for camping and have it reserved in advance -- assuming you are going to go with whatever window the Wx gods give you.  If that's the case you can just do it by mail. 

[gdaveb]

Want to get there.  Still healing from the crash last May.  Thanks for the carrot, Shillingsworth


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Adam Alphabet]

I'm just posting because I love getting the updates

[ScottM]

Seems like Justin Doobies made good time going UP Oracle ridge.  I texted briefly with him and he said it was burly (as always!) but did not mention tons of deadfall or anything.  Honestly I'd be surprised if there are very many trees left up there.  It's burned many times in the last two decades.  Start planning those spring ITTs...

Southbound completions of either the 300 or full meal deal are rare.  Congrats to him.

[phatmike]

Targeting my second run at the 300 proper, with a Wednesday March 17 AM start...

[taprider]

I don't see Justin Dooby on Trackleaders

[ScottM]

I don't see Justin Dooby on Trackleaders

He likes to go by different pseudonyms each time.  He's Tuck Dixon, the only one on there right now.

In other news:

all prohibitions listed therein affecting the Bush Fire Area of the Tonto National Forest, Arizona dated November 20,2020 and signed by Michael Martinez are hereby rescinded and terminated, effective 08:00, Friday, February 5, 2021.

The 800 or at least an 800-ish route might be coming back into focus.

[schillingsworth]

Great news to report: The Bush Fire closure order has been lifted as of 8:00a today.

https://aztrail.org/four-peaks-to-open-after-seven-month-closure/

The AZT800 is back in business. With this much advanced notice, the AZ1000 route will not be part of the Grand Depart in October. It served its purpose as a temporary option for the 800. I'll leave the route available if anyone wants to ride it in the future outside of the AZTR, but I don't plan to update it going forward.

And Congrats to Tuck...Justin, on pulling off a stellar SB 300 run with a side of Lemmon Drop mixed in too.

[jasonthorman]

Planning on doing an ITT of the 300 this Spring.  March 25th.  Hopefully the moon will guide me safely to the finish!

[taprider]

Too bad about the 1000, it looked better on paper with the Black Canyon and Sedona trails. 
But, no one has done the trail, rather than the road, north of the Canyon yet for the 800 or 1000 (or sub 10 day time for the 750 either).

On the other hand, I was feeling I really needed to get down to Arizona this fall to get to race the only year for the 1000.
Now, there is not a worry about the border still not being open by October 2021.

[schillingsworth]

Too bad about the 1000, it looked better on paper with the Black Canyon and Sedona trails. 
But, no one has done the trail, rather than the road, north of the Canyon yet for the 800 or 1000 (or sub 10 day time for the 750 either).

On the other hand, I was feeling I really needed to get down to Arizona this fall to get to race the only year for the 1000.
Now, there is not a worry about the border still not being open by October 2021.

If you really want to do the 1000 route, go for it. The route is available, it's just not part of the Grand Depart. It was never meant to be included in the AZTR, just something to ride border to border since the 800 was shut down. I'd love to see some others give it a crack.

[Adam Alphabet]

Too bad about the 1000, it looked better on paper with the Black Canyon and Sedona trails. 
But, no one has done the trail, rather than the road, north of the Canyon yet for the 800 or 1000 (or sub 10 day time for the 750 either).

On the other hand, I was feeling I really needed to get down to Arizona this fall to get to race the only year for the 1000.
Now, there is not a worry about the border still not being open by October 2021.

The route still exists, go after an FKT if it appeals to you. It's an amazing route John pasted together. I'd follow that ride!

[taprider]

The route still exists, go after an FKT if it appeals to you. It's an amazing route John pasted together. I'd follow that ride!

I think it might be 2022 by the sound of the news.
To ride the trail north of the Rim, I think south bound might be more possible.  
I know I can mail stuff forward, but how weird does it sound to mail from Flagstaff to Flagstaff, and not be considered cacheing?

[PJrides]

Planning on doing an ITT of the 300 this Spring.  March 25th.  Hopefully the moon will guide me safely to the finish!

I'll be leaving with Jason for an ITT of the 300 on March 25th as well!  Pumped to ride this trail!

[AZTtripper]

I think it might be 2022 by the sound of the news.
To ride the trail north of the Rim, I think south bound might be more possible. 
I know I can mail stuff forward, but how weird does it sound to mail from Flagstaff to Flagstaff, and not be considered caching?

Because any one can get a package to Flag from anywhere, being in Flag and placing items on course is what I would call caching. I am not grasping the scenario here. I was wondering what Scott would say about your getting a Grand Canyon permit pre race day, the way I see it, it's ok to pre arrange that one item because your fulfilling a NPS requirement. That's a lot different then making hotel reservations.   

I agree that the 1000 looks good on paper, the idea of a AZT/BCT combo always has. I was looking forward to seeing 1000 mile dots beating 800 mile dots but that's just me.

[schillingsworth]

It's been two whole weeks, why not another route change, eh? I wasn't planning on it, but when you have a Grade A pro scout out on his bike, it can't be ignored. Thank you, Scott Morris I introduce to you: Hog Canyon. *There is a Game & Fish register that all riders will have to sign when accessing Hog Canyon. Part of the access negotiations with local ranchers. This will bypass Sonoita, cut out more pavement & add more dirt. Sonoita was going to get the axe soon enough, let's start early. So, as of 2.23.21 the current version for both the 300 & 800 is v5. Available for downloading now: https://aztrail.home.blog/route-gpx/

This now means the first on-route resupply is the Rocking K market near Tucson, miles 105 & 128 respectively. Happy planning and decision making!!

Also, on the 800, Mike S. & I rode the Four Peaks segment out to Sunflower this past weekend from the Pobrecito OHV area. Most of the route went through the Bush Fire burn scar. While lots of terrain was charred, there were plenty of substantial unscathed areas both down in the desert and up in the tall pines. It was good to see. The singletrack section, 8 miles, out to Sunflower is overgrown, still plenty of catclaw even though a bunch burned - it's still there to scratch ya!! Relentless!! Lots of low hanging burnt branches and loose rock, so expect slow going. I did get word from a section hiker that they would do some trimming this coming week, how much, who knows but any is better than none. So, cover up when going through there!!

[Adam Alphabet]

It's been two whole weeks, why not another route change, eh? I wasn't planning on it, but when you have a Grade A pro scout out on his bike, it can't be ignored. Thank you, Scott Morris I introduce to you: Hog Canyon. *There is a Game & Fish register that all riders will have to sign when accessing Hog Canyon. Part of the access negotiations with local ranchers. This will bypass Sonoita, cut out more pavement & add more dirt. Sonoita was going to get the axe soon enough, let's start early. So, as of 2.23.21 the current version for both the 300 & 800 is v5. Available for downloading now: https://aztrail.home.blog/route-gpx/

This now means the first on-route resupply is the Rocking K market near Tucson, miles 105 & 128 respectively. Happy planning and decision making!!

Woo! so where's the first water after coming out of the usually pretty hot and always punchy Canellos? It was so easy and convenient to grab a quick icy Gatorade in Patagonia if you needed it and then quick snack in Sonoita before making the effort for Kentucky. This certainly shakes things up!

[phatmike]

There are a couple of options prior to hitting the highway, but if you miss 'em, Sonoita is only three miles up the road off route of course if you are dry and can't wait the additional 13-14 miles to KC..