AZTR 2014 Planning

[Soft Pedal]

Osborn, I sent a PM.  Thanks for helping out!

[Walkurtalk]

Any 750 peeps planning on camping at the border Thursday night? Camped right at the start line in 2012 and only got buzzed a couple times by border patrol. Felt safe enough but always good to camp with a group if possible.....

[ayayron]

Any 750 peeps planning on camping at the border Thursday night? Camped right at the start line in 2012 and only got buzzed a couple times by border patrol. Felt safe enough but always good to camp with a group if possible.....

I'll be camping at the border too.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I predict that at least half a dozen will camp at the border.  2 dozen will camp at the Parker Lake Trailhead. Another dozen will pay to camp at Parker Lake proper.  With the exposure from Outside Magazine, it won't be DHS/Border choppers buzzing overhead.......maybe a  couple of GoPro drones this year.  LOL.

[osborne.s.99]

As of now, I have 4 750 rider riding with me to the border.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  I also have one that wants to be picked up at Picket Post and taken to 300 start at the lake.  So I have about all I can handle on 750 riders.  If there is anyone needing a pick-up in Tucson morning of the race, I might be able to handle that.

[bncrshr77]

I'm looking at my options of getting to Tucson and right now I'm leaning towards getting a rental car out of Farmington, NM and making the 8 hr drive.  Not sure if I'll head down on the 9th or 10th though.  Anyone else have plans of getting there from the same area?  Would be fairly cheap if splitting the rental / gas cost. 

[mtbcast]

I'm in for audio coverage/tracking. If you need the call-in number it's on the front page at mtbcast.com. If you have a FB page you'd like audio posted to I can do that. Feel free to reach out. I know the start is closing in!

[mountainjah]

Posted this in Q & A forum but cross posting so maybe the right person sees this.....I have tried multiple times to upload the 2013 azt 300 gpx onto my etrex 20- which synchs fine but then when I open the track, I can only can see the first 91 miles- I'm guessing the file is too big? Too many tiles? After hours of troubleshooting, struggling to try and get this to work-no luck... also tried the refined file available on the AZTR site uploaded and tried that, to no avail....any help is appreciated!

Thanks, Michael

[bncrshr77]

The 300 track is over 55,000 points so you will have to simplify it to 10,000 points total or split it into 6 segments with 10,000 points in 5 of them and the remainder in the 6th segment.  Sorry if you've already tried this. 

[tanman1337]

Hey I just wanted to give you guys the heads up that there is a new bike shop in Payson. It is called 87 Cyclery (928) 478-6203 and it is on the right (East) side of Hwy 87 as you come in to town across from Chili's. Payson is my home town and the owner of the shop is a real good friend of mine. I gave him the heads up that he would have bikepackers coming on through. He said he'd be watching for blue dots on Trackleaders and would be more than helpful with anything that is needed in Payson. Hope if you guys have any mechanical issues or need a good resupply before dreaded Highline Trail section you hit up the new shop!

-Tanner

[Yogi the Barry]

Couple of Tucson local knowledge questions:
1 - Is the Uno Bicycle Studio shop [Tucson] out of business? I found Broadway Bicycles and Performance as alternates.
2 - Re: Water on highway up to Summerhaven. Assuming there's water at Molina or Prison Camp [is there?], no other water until the top at Summerhaven? Looking at the map, there seems to be so many campgrounds which might have water...

[elfreako]

Does anybody have a que sheet for the water stops?

Thanks.
Freako

[ayayron]

How bad is the drought this year in AZ? Any water stops that have been dependable in the past that might not be this year?

[ScottM]

Not sure about Uno.  I'll ask one of my east side friends.

There are many campgrounds on Lemmon, but almost none have water.  Palisades, at the top, does.  It's a long haul.  Sometimes there is surface water to be found near Molino, if you know where to look.

Tim made a mileage sheet with water info.  Someone may have to dig it up in past threads, or I'm sure he can post it on here when he checks in next.

We got a nice storm this weekend -- even a few thunder bolts.  There aren't that many surface sources in the first place that can dry up, so, IMO a lack of rain doesn't affect us too much.  Towns and spigots are the main sources for the 300.

[mikepro]

Does anybody have a que sheet for the water stops?

I dug up one of Tim's posts from 2 years ago ... http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2537.msg28453.html#msg28453.  This for the 300, not the 750.   There might be other info in past threads, but this is one I found.

[Yogi the Barry]

Re: Water
In addition to the thread listed in the previous post, here's a link for those of you who are current or future ATA members:
http://www.fredgaudetphotography.com/aztrail1.html
The "Current Arizona Trail Water Sources" PDF is the one of interest and most current version is dated March 5th [today]!
From what I've been reading, assuming one has the capability to carry ~200 ounces, it sounds like one could do this ride [300] without any purification tabs, UV light or filter, but I'm still going to take my modified GravityWorks, tabs or both.
-Barry

[elfreako]

Thanks for the info on the water sources!

[dream4est]

Tims table from 2012:



# 1.    Bear Creek (spring fed) crosses under road.         6.5 miles N of the Border            
# 2.   Parker Creek (dam fed)               2.5 miles N of Parker TH Starting line            
# 3.   Cott Tank (solar pwd) spigot (no bikes inside fence)   4.5 miles N of Canelo Pass 19.5 miles from the start         
# 4.   Patagonia (store      resterants   hotel   PO)                  31 miles from the start  
# 5.   Sonoita (store      resterants   hotel)                                
# 6.   Gardner Creek (rain/snow fed)            10.7 miles N of Sonita            
# 7.   Kentucky Camp (spigot)               6 miles N of Garner Creek 16. 5 from Sonoita              
# 8.   Oak Tree Canyon stock tank (well fed)         8 miles N of K Camp            
# 9.   The Lake (rain fed)               12.6 miles N of Oak Tree off course north on 2 track after forest gate.               
#10.   Cienga Creek under Three Bridges (all year)         2 miles north of I-10            
#11.   La Posta Quemada Ranch (sink off course)         2.6 miles from 3 Bridges .7 off            
#12.   La Sevilla Campground (spigot on rock)         2.3 miles from LPQ Jct. 41.6 from K Camp            
#13.   Tucson (store      resterants   hotel   PO)
#14.   Chiva Tank (rain)                  2.4 miles below Redington road            
#14.2 Tanke Verde Creek and water tanks jump fence            6.2 miles off Redington road            
#15.   The Lake (rain usually has water)            4 miles after crossing Redington road            
#16.   West Spring (spring fed) not great            3.5 miles past The Lake            
#17.   Molino water hole (rain snow melt)              up steam from trail crossing east of Highway         
#18.   Palisades TH (spigot mid April to mid Nov.)         12 miles up the Highway 42 miles from Broadway in Tucson         
#19.   Summerhaven (visitor’s center      store   restaurant   rooms)   off course
#20.   Water Buffalo Oracle State Park            when the park reopens            
#21.    Oracle (stores      resterants   motel)            off course   
#22   Beehive Well (big metal tank not good)         19.5 miles north of Tiger mine rd.            
#23.   Freeman Road (water cache)               just north of Freeman Road            
#24.   Ripsey Wash spring (.2 miles south of trail stay on road)   18.7 miles north of Freeman Road            
#25.   Pinal Co Maintenance Yard; 0.1 m north of Kelvin bdg.      outside facet available M-Th      6:30am-3:30pm      
#26.   Wilson Trailer Court; 0.5m N Kelvin bdg.            outside facet phone also available if needed             
#27.   They are now saying you can filter the Gila River    57.5 miles from Oracle               
#27a. There is a little creek 15.7 miles from the Kelvin Bridge turn onto jeep road and go north east for .4 drop into creek isn’t easy.            
#28.   Trough Spring         .25 miles off course go north on Telegraph canyon road 135 feet turn left on 2 track 7.5 miles from the finish line of the 300.            
#29.   From Picket Post to Hewett Station is 1.7 from here east its 1 mile to Boyce Thompson Arboretum or 4.5 to Superior or 22 miles to Stores at Apache Jct.            
#30.  Spigot at Lost Dutchman State Park 7.8 from Apache Jct.            
#31.  Tortilla Flat spigot at Campgound on left store on right 11 miles from LDSP.            
#32.  Burn Corral Camp Ground spigot 19.5 from TF.            
#33.  Cholla Bay Camp Ground spigot showers 10 miles from BCCG.            
#34.  Pumpkin Center stores restaurant 13 miles from Cholla Bay.          
#35.  Jakes Corner store bar and grill 10      5 from PC.    
#36.  Rye restaurant 8.5 from JC.          
#37.  Payson 11.8 from Rye.   
38- Oak Spring. 20.5 miles from Payson.         
#39.  Pine is 22 miles from Payson look for 2 track west of highway leads to town saves riding on highway.            
#40.  Red Rock spring 3.4 miles from Pine TH was dry at one point water reported 3/27/11            
#41   Pine spring 4.6 from TH water reported 3/27/11      
#42.  Weber Creek 7.8 miles from TH has always had water in the past.            
#43.  Bray Creek 11 miles from TH.            
#44.  North Sycamore Creek 12.2 from TH         
#45.  Chase Creek 13.8 from TH            
#46.  East Verde River 17.5 from TH         
#47.  General Springs Canyon starting at 1.5 from FS 300 several creek crossing always water         
#48.  East Clear Creek at 9.2 from FS 300 often a deep creek crossing has been dry in the past.            
#49.  Rock Crossing and Blue Ridge Camp Grounds only open mid May thru Oct.            
#50.  Blue Ridge Ranger Station spigot .8 east on highway 87      
#51.  Pine Spring 21 miles north of highway 87 .4 mile off course east of dirt road in field              
#52.  35.5 miles from 87 the AZT crosses FS 219 this is the first easy access to and from Mormon Lake 2 miles all rideable off course.
#53  Apache Spring Trail to Mormon Lake is .7 miles from FS 219 steep rocky trail is the shortest route less then one mile to Mormon Lake HAB back up.            
#54  Double Springs Camp Ground 4.5 miles from Apache Spring trail. Creek and spigot when Camp Ground open mid May to Oct. 3 miles all paved back to Mormon Lake.            
#55.  Pine Grove Camp Ground when open (mid May) has water and showers 9 miles from Double springs .5 off course            
#56.  Horse Lake typically has water 4 miles from Pine Grove.            
#57.  Flagstaff has everything 16 miles from Horse Lake.            
#58.  Buffalo Park on the north side of Flag has spigot (not sure when this gets turned on).            
#59.  Russell Tank is the most likely spot between Flag and Tusayan 70 miles from Buffalo Park.            
#60.  Tusayan 25 miles from Russell Tank.            
#61.  South Rim there is a spigot near corrals at Yaki Point.            
#62. There is a spigot after foot bridge 7 miles below Yaki Point and at Phantom ranch .5 farther.            
#63.  Cottonwood Camp 7 miles past Phantom spigot.            
#64.  Water fountain at North Kaibab TH not likely to be on. Water can be found at employee housing find ranger. water             
#65.  Crystal Spring 16 miles from North Kaibab TH            
            
#66.  Dog Lake and Wildlife Drinker 2.7 miles from Crystal Spring. The Wildlife drinker is just past Dog Lake on west edge of meadow.

There are other sources too. Fred G page shows a bunch. Route cues have a few. I have found at least one source myself on route not listed anywhere- found it looking through satellite pix one day.

Edit- added #38- Oak spring.

[dream4est]

Couple of Tucson local knowledge questions:
2 - Re: Water on highway up to Summerhaven. Assuming there's water at Molina or Prison Camp [is there?], no other water until the top at Summerhaven? Looking at the map, there seems to be so many campgrounds which might have water...

I have found water between Molino and Palisade. Bear Canyon has a creek below highway. You can hear it running usually. It s a few miles above prison camp. In '10, '12 and '13 the creek was running. It has no name on the topo but is the creek in Bear Canyon next to highway for a few miles. A good source I have used 2x.

[jeffpoitras]

Has anyone heard about a shuttle service from picket post down to the start?  been trying to contact gnar gnar who did it last year to no avail.  any insight would be greatly appreciated.