AZT 750/300 2017 Planning Thread

[jaygee]

Hi jaygee, i will be heading down on the 6th from Phoenix, right now i would have room. How many days are you planning to finish 750?

Hey Im looking at 10-12days hopefully! The finish isnt so much of an issue for a lift its just getting to the start line so a lift would be FAB! Will share gas costs & bring some yummys!

[ec_duz_it]

I just got my plane ticket to Tuscon for an ITT St. Pattys day start on the 300 course.  Hopefully that snow on Mt. Lemmon will melt fast 

If snow is too deep and an ITT of the 300 course is not possible, then I might just ride around Mt. Lemmon from Tuscon and get on the AZT near Oracle and head north and then loop the Gila River Gamble route (the ultimate ending would be Phoenix for my flight back).  If I need to do that, what would be the best way to ride around Mt. Lemmon, if I start in Tuscon (more dirt the better of course)?

[AZTtripper]

There is a GPS track in the GPX directory called the Jonesy bypass. It was created for just the sinario you are discussing. Lots of dirt road meant to take about the same time as well.

Tim

[rhino]

@Scott - I just read this on the AZT App.

State Land:
Passages 14, 15, and 35 pass through Arizona State land, and you must obtain a permit if you wish to camp or travel outside the 15-foot trail corridor.

@Everybody - support Arizona and just by a permit. $15 online.

https://land.az.gov/natural-resources/recreational-permits

[ec_duz_it]

Thanks Tim, found it in the 2010 folder.  Is this current?  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19171576

[AZTtripper]

Yep that's it all on Forest roads should all be good to go.

[ScottM]

Alrighty, thanks to much help from John Schilling, we have new GPX and cues ready for 2017.

http://topofusion.com/azt/race-route.php

Quite a route, it is.

[jaygee]

Jenny if that ride doesn't work out this Home Grown Mtn Bike (look through the 2016 posts if you can't easily find their website) is shuttling people from Tucson and from Phoenix.  and it's reasonably cheap - like $40 or something.

I'm staying Wed night down by the airport in Tucson then riding up to the meeting place for the shuttle Thursday afternoon - I think they depart 2 or 3pm-ish.  If you want to do the same we could connect Thursday morning to get you set up (the hotel is walking distance from bag pickup).

Brian

Thats great to know Brian thank you! Checked it out and its $90!! Im gonna see if i can lift share first but will let you know if im about town in the morning

[jfc]

Hi,
I'm a last minute committer(ish) for the AZT750 as a rookie, I guess it will be real once I book the shuttle...
I just went through last year and this year's planning thread as well as the ATA site to figure out permits. If anyone has bits of wisdom that would be great.

• Is it too late to get a thru permit? It seems ok unless I missed something.
• Saw from ScottM's post that we only need permit for crossing the canyon.
• Is the backcountry permit form what need to be filled this one? I couldn't find the Thru-hiker option.  (https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm)
• Is there another way to get the appropriate permit? In person? Or it can only be issued in advance?
• Am I missing anything else?
• Is this what a typical AZT750 rider does (get the permit) or they skip it and ride/hike through

I'm asking because I'm driving down (from Canada) to ride in the warmth for the next few weeks on the StageCoach400, Moab/Fruita and St-George, so if I need to make a stop somewhere to get what I need I'll have time.

Thanks,

JF

[Adam Alphabet]

Hi,
I'm a last minute committer(ish) for the AZT750 as a rookie, I guess it will be real once I book the shuttle...
I just went through last year and this year's planning thread as well as the ATA site to figure out permits. If anyone has bits of wisdom that would be great.

• Is it too late to get a thru permit? It seems ok unless I missed something.
• Saw from ScottM's post that we only need permit for crossing the canyon.
• Is the backcountry permit form what need to be filled this one? I couldn't find the Thru-hiker option.  (https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm)
• Is there another way to get the appropriate permit? In person? Or it can only be issued in advance?
• Am I missing anything else?
• Is this what a typical AZT750 rider does (get the permit) or they skip it and ride/hike through

I'm asking because I'm driving down (from Canada) to ride in the warmth for the next few weeks on the StageCoach400, Moab/Fruita and St-George, so if I need to make a stop somewhere to get what I need I'll have time.

Thanks,

JF

As far as I understand all we will need is the State Land Trust Permit ($15) to pass on state land, mostly near Gold Canyon. The Canyon Permits are for groups (Please correct me if I am wrong about this) up to 30 in size or if you plan to stay overnight.
Permits not required.... (from the site)
"A backcountry permit is NOT required for:

day hikes (this includes nighttime "day" hikes)
day stock rides
overnight camping at Mather Campground and Desert View Campground (campground reservations for Mather Campground at www.recreation.gov)
overnight camping at North Rim Campground between May 15 – Oct 31 (campground reservations at www.recreation.gov)
overnight camping with private stock at Mather Campground or (May 15 – Oct 31) North Rim Campground
overnight stays at the dormitories or cabins at Phantom Ranch (advanced reservations with Grand Canyon National Park Lodges required)"

"Organized Group Rim-to-Rim and Extended Day Hike/Run

Who is required to obtain a permit: Any organized, non-commercial (12-30 participants) or not-for-profit group (up to 30) conducting rim-to-rim and extended day hiking and running, including rim-to-river-to-rim, and rim-to-rim-to-rim that are operating in the inner canyon. The inner canyon is defined as the area below the Tonto Platform (Tipoff and Indian Garden) from the South Rim and below Manzanita Resthouse (Pumphouse Residence) from the North Rim. Groups are only permitted one permit per group. Groups may not break into smaller groups on different permits to accommodate group size.

Groups whom must obtain a permit:

Organized Non-Commercial Groups are defined as any group traveling together, such as scouts, a club, a church, a meet up group, or a family/friend group that has created its own itinerary. Group size - 12-30 people.
All Not-for-Profit Groups are defined as a group that may meet the criteria for a non-commercial group if the organization derives no taxable income from providing leisure/recreational services. Groups must prove 501(c)(3) status. Group size - up to 30 people.
All groups' part of a Fundraiser. Group size - up to 30 people."

So from this if you plan to hike the Canyon in one go you won't need a permit, that's how I read it.

[jfc]

Thanks Addy, that is how I was reading it, but wanted to make sure.

So for those that slept in the canyon, did you just sort that out upon arrival at the south rim?

Thanks,

JF

[Adam Alphabet]

Thanks Addy, that is how I was reading it, but wanted to make sure.

So for those that slept in the canyon, did you just sort that out upon arrival at the south rim?

Thanks,

JF

I've never done it, it'd be good to hear from those who have, but this is how I'm reading it. I think you can book the camp ground reso at the south rim if you want to sleep down there. Veterans?

[ScottM]

Thanks Addy, for answering.  You've got it.

Referenced recently, there is a State Trust Permit that all 750 riders should obtain.  It's easy and can be done online, then printed out.  No limits or anything.  It could even be obtained the day before start, assuming access to a printer.

For the canyon, you don't need a permit to hike through in one shot, at this time (in 2017).  If you want to camp below the rim, a permit is needed, and though they can be reserved in advance, it would be hard to predict timing.  One can show up at the backcountry office (South Rim) and request a 'thru-hikers' spot at the overflow / horse corral area down at Phantom Ranch.  They should issue you a camping permit then.  Just tell them you are doing the AZT and they should grant it, even if the campground itself is full (likely).

It is also always possible to camp at the 'hiker/biker' site on both the south and north rims.  Reservations not required, but camping isn't allowed 'at large' on either rim in the park, only in the developed campgrounds, which do have hiker/biker sites.

Of course both rims are near national forest where it *is* legal to camp at large.

[flyboy]

I'm very jealous of all this year's starters. My leave didn't get approved so I will be reduced to dot watching and making notes for a 2018 attempt.
Good luck out there and enjoy it!

[Adam Alphabet]

A question about snow detours...
How/When is this typically decided? I realize we're still 5+ weeks out. And the track is the one listed in the GPX directory for 2013?
Thanks!

[ScottM]

A question about snow detours...
How/When is this typically decided? I realize we're still 5+ weeks out. And the track is the one listed in the GPX directory for 2013?
Thanks!

Good question.  2013 was the last year detours (other than the North Rim, which is always in play) were in effect.

Northern AZ just got another dumping, but March can crank up the heat, too.  So, this year is going to be a 'wait and see.'  We may need to wait until a week out, or so, to figure out any additional snow detours.  I'd say there's a pretty good likelihood that some will be in play.

[schillingsworth]

Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff is reporting a fresh 21" of snow from the storm over the weekend. The AZT is barely 1/4 mile down the slope from the resort parking lot.

Last year I snagged a camping permit for Cottonwood CG down in the gorge. I just stopped by the Backcountry office when I arrived at the South Rim. I camped at Mather CG that night, then Cottonwood the next night. For me, it was the right move. I'm hoping my next attempt I'll be able to go straight through. I think that was a Monday & Tuesday night.

[Adam Alphabet]

Good question.  2013 was the last year detours (other than the North Rim, which is always in play) were in effect.

Northern AZ just got another dumping, but March can crank up the heat, too.  So, this year is going to be a 'wait and see.'  We may need to wait until a week out, or so, to figure out any additional snow detours.  I'd say there's a pretty good likelihood that some will be in play.

*So north of the North Rim to Jacob Lake you can basically ride the highway (orange line on last years trackleaders page) all the way to State line?
*I'll have to look at the 2013 detour track but I'm assuming it's all stuff near Flag mainly?

[rhino]

Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff is reporting a fresh 21" of snow from the storm over the weekend. The AZT is barely 1/4 mile down the slope from the resort parking lot.

Dude? You said breezy 76* with a night time low of 48*. I built my entire survival and sleep system at those temps.

[todds]

What is the(suggested) start times for this year's race(s)?