AZT 750/300 2017 Planning Thread

[Ron Thomson]

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.

I seem to remember seeing heavy trucks with plough blades on them at the north rim park services depot when I stopped in there back in 2014.

[mvmorten]

OK I'm signed up!

Going to ITT with a friend on Wednesday so we can get all the good snacks and avoid the weekend traffic on Redington Road.

Now, if only Rhino's grandma could do something about this heat...

[jakebyte]

I just signed up for the AZT 300.  I will be riding out from Parker Lake Wednesday morning.  I am a first timer to this ride and am looking forward to the challenge!  

Good luck to the rest of you that will be doing this as well!

[jakebyte]

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

- Running out of water and then finding the solar spring water was too gross to pump.
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.

Hi Erin.  Sounds like you had a great ride.  I feel your pain in the heat.  You mentioned running out of water twice.  How much water did you carry between those water stops?  Thanks for your report on the ride!

[JoePAz]

Signed up for the 300.  It will be my first 300, but not my first bikepack on the AZT.  Looking forward to it.

[aarond]

I am considering a reverse ITT, starting in Utah and ending in Mexico.  After the race, I can drive someone's vehicle from sierra vista back to the finish in utah.  I might possibly start a day or two early and am shooting for under 8 days.  If interested, please message me.

[ec_duz_it]

Photos from my ITT this past weekend: 

http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/erin_carroll2/library/AZT%20300%202017

BTW, if anyone needs a bike build or a shuttle ride from Tuscon, this guy was awesome for me and he charged significantly less than an Uber:  Kris Bjelk (Ayo Bikes) -  poetloriat@gmail.com

[davew]

North Rim snow:

compare this from elfreakos post - photo taken on the 17th march...




and this photo taken by a r2r2r runner on the 20th of march.



I maybe clutching at straws but I can see a definite melt happening (more rocks are exposed on the plinth) and there seems to be ploughed/disturbed snow in the background of the second photo.  There also seems to be a clear patch of land under the tree mid left of the image near the information sign.

I better acknowledge the source of the photo:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1824606154531265&set=pcb.994059467395028&type=3&theater

A little more internet searching and I found a summer image of the same spot from roughly the same position:



This would suggest the disturbed snow in the second photo is the snow ploughed from the park access road. The closed section of 67 from Jacob Lake up to the Park gate was up to ADOT and they were meant to start ploughing on the 20th. It should be a reasonably snow free (stealth) run from the rim to Jacob Lake for north bound if you are following the snow detour.

Clearly I have too much spare time on my hands at the moment

[ScottM]

Scott, what's the alternative?

Snowshoes?  Fat bikes and take the AZT?  There really isn't an alternative, unfortunately.

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.

Interesting from ADOT, Aaron.  I would guess that the park service, or xanterra plows it (when needed) so they can start getting set up for opening.

But I had the same thought about the snowmobile route.  Once that starts showing mud, it seems like the pavement becomes worth their effort to plow.  But we are just speculating, here.

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.

Yes, this is the model that needs to happen on the North Rim.  The Park should be *encouraging* people to ride on the (closed to cars) paved road, as they do in other parks.  There's a similar car-free window on the Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier.

Unfortunately I have learned that 'on the books' the highway in the park is actually closed to bikes until May 15.  This needs to change, but it is something everyone doing the 750 should be aware of.  It's hard to imagine it being an issue if the road is dry pavement, but, again, I am concerned about the scenario when it's not.

[rhino]

Hauling snowshoes and a bike through the GC would be rad!

[Adam Alphabet]

Speculating worst case scenario, not trying to be a bummer here and yes I know we still have time etc...... Assuming snow conditions do not change enough in the next couple weeks and the conditions at the north rim look as they do today what happens?
If it's just slushy shitty road we deal with it but as it stands is it currently impassable?

[JoePAz]

My weather forecast  for canyon is showing....

Today (3/23) - Snow  32 now and high of 43
Saturday (3/25) - Rain - 54hi - low 27
Monday (3/27) - Rain 57hi - low 30
Tuesday (3/28) - Snow 48hi - 27 low
Thurs (3/30) Rain 61hi 30 low
Friday (3/21) Snow 52hi 27low
Sat (4/1) rain 52 28low


This is for the south rim.  North rim will be colder and more snow vs rain.  Give the warm temps we had and snow pack that was there I don't see all the snow going away soon.   However by the time the 750 riders get there  we could get another warm spell.    So pretty much like every year.  It could rain/snow.  All depends when you get there.

[ScottM]

Speculating worst case scenario, not trying to be a bummer here and yes I know we still have time etc...... Assuming snow conditions do not change enough in the next couple weeks and the conditions at the north rim look as they do today what happens?
If it's just slushy shitty road we deal with it but as it stands is it currently impassable?

If there's as much snow as in the R2R2R photo, and it hasn't been plowed, it's likely impassable -- meaning only walkable and slowly at that.

I do agree with dwicks here that it looks like disturbed/plowed snow in the second photo he posted, which is a good sign.  Sounds like we may get firsthand beta on the road from an early/southbound ITT or two, if not sooner.

[bmattingly]

Glad to see some interest in Southbound rides.  Before the new snow wednesday trails were drying out nicely.  I think it will get warm again quick and dry out.  Could be a bit snowy or muddy up around 9,000 feet near snowbowl.  I may go check out the conditions of that specific section a few days before the start date.  If I have the time I will post here. 

Good luck to all.

[rhino]

Woah. Check this

https://m.facebook.com/GrandCanyonNationalPark/photos/a.389587114418726.96972.131965493514224/1472351136142313/?type=3&ref=bookmarks

Closing North Kaibab daily

[rhino]

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Daily Closures at Redwall Bridge on North Kaibab Trail
Starting Monday, March 27 daily closures (8am to 4:30pm) of North Kaibab Trail at Redwall Bridge will be in place to remove rockslide debris. Rim-to-rim traffic will be restricted.

https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-kaibab-ribbons-falls-temporary-closures.htm

[Adam Alphabet]

What is the latest realistically (under 100 degrees!) possible window in the spring to ITT the full 750 route?
What is the ideal window in Fall (before the snow hits up high) to ITT the full 750 route?

Just asking for general, typical year, close enough estimates.
Thanks!

[ScottM]

Woah. Check this

https://m.facebook.com/GrandCanyonNationalPark/photos/a.389587114418726.96972.131965493514224/1472351136142313/?type=3&ref=bookmarks

Closing North Kaibab daily

Yep, just seeing this.  Estimated time, 3 weeks, which may impact the fastest of racers.  Trail closed from 8am to 4:30pm daily.  Oye.

[rhino]

cross picture post from FB to give an idea how much snow is at North Kaibab
March 17

North Kaibab Trail head looking towards the road.

[Adam Alphabet]

cross picture post from FB to give an idea how much snow is at North Kaibab
March 17

North Kaibab Trail head looking towards the road.

Jeez.. Is that stop sign buried up that high or is it on the backside of a bank? Either way this looks rugged.
Thanks for the post Rhino. Evaluating options here...