AZT 750/300 2017 Planning Thread

[taprider]

I heard Rhino's grandma runs a rickshaw service from the state line to Page.  If she's not there when you arrive, just wait around a couple hours...

^+1

[rhino]

I just had tea with my grandma, and expressed my concerns about hauling my bike through the Grand Canyon and high water crossings with spring runoff.  Grandma throat punched me and asked if I needed to borrow her walker. She assured me water levels will subside in April.

After the throat punch, I was too scared to ask about her rickshaw services.

[ScottM]

Rhino, can you ask her to look into her crystal ball and tell us if the north rim will melt out?  I am a little concerned about the road being plowed / rideable by the time the fast folks get there.  We may need to enlist someone to scout it out, or I will do some phoning to Jacob Lake, etc, as the date get closer.  I know that they plow it well in advance of the park opening, which is May 15, but the race is early this year, and there is such a pile in the photo Freako posted above.

In other news, Erin just finished the first 300 of the year, and possibly one of the HOTTEST runs ever, certainly the hottest one completed in March.  Big ups, Erin!

[LandSharkBrian]

Rhino, can you ask her to look into her crystal ball and tell us if the north rim will melt out?  I am a little concerned about the road being plowed / rideable by the time the fast folks get there.  We may need to enlist someone to scout it out, or I will do some phoning to Jacob Lake, etc, as the date get closer.  I know that they plow it well in advance of the park opening, which is May 15, but the race is early this year, and there is such a pile in the photo Freako posted above.

Scott, this website:
http://www.weatherstreet.com/city_snow_depth/86052-North-Rim-AZ-snow-depth.htm

2nd graphic, showed significant area of 30-50" snow at the north trailhead the day Freako posted that picture - and the valley to JL was still solidly covered.  The graphic looked as bad as the picture.  So it might be relatively accurate (I mean, who other than NOAA updates snow pack hourly?) It still shows a much more isolated pack of 20-30" just beyond the trailhead, and scatterings in the valley which would make me think the road may be clearing considerably.  Some snow is predicted this week up there, but if the site is in fact accurate, a call a week or so prior to the fast guys' arrival might be a bit more positive than it was seeming one short week ago.  I sure hope so anyway, for all of us!

[ScottM]

No doubt there is a chance it'll actually just melt out in time.  This last week has surely helped, but was not enough.  More average spring temps seem to be predicted in the next 2 weeks.

The trailhead needs to melt out first, for sure.  I've seen it dry there but still walls of snow as the plateau rises to 9,000' from there.

If it doesn't melt out in time, the question is, when does the road get plowed?  Eventually they do plow it to open it up in April.  That's where some recon or phone calls could come in.

[Ron Thomson]

No doubt there is a chance it'll actually just melt out in time.  This last week has surely helped, but was not enough.  More average spring temps seem to be predicted in the next 2 weeks.

The trailhead needs to melt out first, for sure.  I've seen it dry there but still walls of snow as the plateau rises to 9,000' from there.

If it doesn't melt out in time, the question is, when does the road get plowed?  Eventually they do plow it to open it up in April.  That's where some recon or phone calls could come in.

There Is a fairly sizable parks crew at the north rim so one would imagine the road would have to be passable for them to get supplies and such.

[ScottM]

There Is a fairly sizable parks crew at the north rim so one would imagine the road would have to be passable for them to get supplies and such.

Ah, but they use snowmobiles to get out there in the winter, on a route separate from the highway.

[ec_duz_it]

Holy smokes it was hot out there this weekend!  What a damanding and RUGGED course!

Highlights of my trip:
- Kris from Ayo Bikes who gave me a great deal on building my bike and shuttling me to the start late at night.
- Singletracks before Tuscon.
- Sagauro corners restaurant.
- The rocket fuel fudge at the store in summerhaven.
- Singletrack after Tiger Mine road at sunset.
- Gila River singletrack at sunset.
- The exposed ridgeline singletrack with massive views before the finish.
- The friendy folks who just gave me a ride to Mesa.

The not so awesome moments:
- Getting dust blown on my face with 90 plus degree temps on the climb up redington road.
- Running out of water and then finding the solar spring water was too gross to pump.
- The braincrushing heat yesterday near Kelvin.
- Going off trail in the dark this morning and descending at least 1000 ft of trail I had just done! And as a result, running out of water for the last 8 miles.

Good luck to all of you on April 7. Hope the temps chill out by then.

Erin

[mvmorten]

  Nice job Erin!

[Truckon09]

You have to join but it sounds like the trail on the north side is getting washed out and knee deep creek crossings.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GrandCanyonHikers/permalink/915860455222148/

[ScottM]

I didn't join and read it, but trail washouts and creeks like Wall Creek 'flooding' are common, every year.  They tend to stay on top of it and repair when needed.  I wouldn't be *too* concerned, at this point.

[phatmike]

Holy smokes it was hot out there this weekend!  What a damanding and RUGGED course!

Way to go man! Really enjoyed stalking your dot in anticipation of doing this in a couple of weeks. Congrats!

[AZTtripper]

I didn't join and read it, but trail washouts and creeks like Wall Creek 'flooding' are common, every year.  They tend to stay on top of it and repair when needed.  I wouldn't be *too* concerned, at this point.

Pretty sure there's a trail crew that lives at Cottonwood Camp. Hopefully they can keep up with the work load.

[elfreako]

I read on the GC website that the north rim road doesn't open until May 15th.

[ScottM]

I read on the GC website that the north rim road doesn't open until May 15th.

That's correct.  I haven't heard of anyone being hassled about riding it when it's closed (and I hope it stays that way), but it is closed to car traffic until the 15th, even when it's bone dry.  I am, however, concerned about the road potentially being snowy or semi-plowed, when it might not make as much sense to send a gaggle of (widely spaced) riders down it.

[elfreako]

Scott, what's the alternative?

[rhino]

El Freako...I tried. I think Grandma Helga is pissed.

Rhino: "Grandma, my bike friends want to know if you'll pull them from the North Rim to Jacobs Lake on your tobaggan?"

Grandma: "Beat it kid. Carry snowshoes you lil' lazy bastard."

[aarond]

I read on the GC website that the north rim road doesn't open until May 15th.

ADOT Response: Aaron,
Thank you for contacting the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The Park Service has a lock on our gate. An employee will need to get the combination from them to access SR 67 prior to May 15.

There will be no early plowing.
3/22/2017 10:31:15 AM
Your Input: Hi, I know 67 is closed until may 15, but can you tell me when it will be plowed for north rim employees and body lists? Thank you.
3/21/2017 2:32:59 PM

[aarond]

Not sure this makes sense.  I wonder if the park service might plow itself?  Seems like they need to be able get in to north rim at all times, and if there is not enough snow to sled in I can't see them waiting weeks for a total melt.

[Truckon09]

I know here in Wyoming the National Parks Service plows their own roads. After they are plowed they are open to bikes and pedestrian traffic for a few weeks before they are opened for vehicle traffic. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are good examples of this, they have actually started plowing this past week.