CTR 2018 Race Planning and Discussion

[Ahaughey]

With all the excitement going on in Arizona right now, seems like a good time to start a CTR 2018 race discussion.  Have been following the FB discussion, but seems maybe not everyone is on FB, so possibly we start one here as well, then we can obsess twice as much!

[tanadog]

tickets booked and paid for from NZ...committed now

[THE LONG RANGER]

I hate to be "the guy" but I'm gonna do it:

The San Juans have been really freakin' dry this winter - less (way less) than 50% or the average snow fell this Winter. What does this mean? Anyone's guess, but anticipate:

* People are guessing that the entire San Juans will be melted out by the end of May
* some water sources in the CT guidebook not flowing. Perhaps camel up a bit more in town. Molas Pass to Durango usually has good sources of water. Getting into Silverton may be a little sparse. Who knows after Monarch Crest... Consider your purification system carefully. If "good" sources are dry, are you willing to risk it with a less than ideal source (cow'd out)
* fires could be a big problem
* Could the Monster Monsoon make a reappearance like it did last year? Perhaps a super dry winter means a super wet summer. Who knows.

 The CT FB page could be a good place to keep on top of eyes on the ground info from thru hikers, who will be dealing with a lot of these issues, too. Official:

https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoTrailFoundation/

Unofficial:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/156927181553021/

Riding here on the Front Range has been insane. It was as if the season was extended for like 5 months. Some wet weeks, but a lot of trails and parks remained open. I hit snow today on the Front Range at around 10,000 feet. But trails at 9,000'+ were completely dry.

[tanadog]

so how big a deal are bugs at night? I had a few buggy nights in Colorado during the TD, but the CTR is higher so I'm guessing they're less of an issue??

[joeydurango]

SNOW:  Up until yesterday, when the high country here got a good bit of snow, the San Juans were looking incredibly dry.  The La Platas, our local sub-range just outside of Durango, looked as they should in late June!  Cinnamon Pass and Ophir Pass - two 4x4 passes near Silverton - had both opened, and from the photos I saw, they didn't look plowed, just melted out.  I cannot think of another time these were open in April.  We did get a bit of snow last night even here in town - and a fair chunk up in the mountains, although it will melt out quickly.

FIRE:  Definitely worried.  Smoky already, the last several days, due to the Tinder fire in Arizona.  Too early for smoky skies!

MONSOON:  Long term forecast is showing dry, dry, dry up until mid-July/August.  So... yeah, monster monsoon is possible.

BUGS:  I don't worry about them.  Then again, I don't use a tarp system.  There are some mosquitoes, even up high.  You probably won't be camping above treeline...

[PorridgeHobit]

Hi,

First post here!

Just bought flights to Denver from the UK to have a go at this epic event, however having some problems with US Customs / Homeland Security!  I need to apply for an ESTA (Even as a UK Citizen from birth), which requires I have a POC in the USA - name and address.  I don't know anybody in Colorado, so struggling with this... Any ideas?

Changed a bit from my last trip to Colorado in 2012...

[danwiz]

Im in colorado....about 5 or so miles from the gateway to CTR-denver side.....what is POC?

[THE LONG RANGER]

Point Of Contact?

[danwiz]

ahhhhh... yes that makes sense......thanks Ranger!!

[flyboy]

Hi,

First post here!

Just bought flights to Denver from the UK to have a go at this epic event, however having some problems with US Customs / Homeland Security!  I need to apply for an ESTA (Even as a UK Citizen from birth), which requires I have a POC in the USA - name and address.  I don't know anybody in Colorado, so struggling with this... Any ideas?

Changed a bit from my last trip to Colorado in 2012...

We need to do the ESTA thing from Oz as well. I just give a hotel where I think I will be staying the first night. Didn't get asked again upon entry in April just gone.

[Inertiaman]

What resources do prior participants recommend?

Do I need the CT Databook?
Or just the CT Hiker App + GPX tracks?

Also, a newbie question:  why is the racecourse ~ 470 miles but the typical MTB routes (from IMBA on MTB Project, or as described at CT Assoc website) say ~540 miles?

Thanks,
Tom

[THE LONG RANGER]

Tom not sure about the discrepancy over mileage, but the CTR follows the Tarrayal Detour south around the Lost Creek Wilderness, instead of another detour one can take on 285. That detour itself is 75 miles.

I believe Toby's GPX file has waypoints for water sources.

http://tobygadd.blogspot.com/2012/01/colorado-trail-race-gpsgpx-tracks-and.html

I found most water was plentiful enough while riding a bike that it wasn't too much of a worry, except for right after Marshall Pass and through Sargents Mesa to around HW114. This is a pretty well known dry spot on the trail.

Between Lake City and Silverton can also be a bit dry, as it's so high up. Fill up in every town you visit, as well as at the Princeton Hot Springs, and you'll be in good shape. We'll see how the snow levels affect water levels this year. Been a wet, but hot spring here in the front range.

[THE LONG RANGER]

The MTB Project version of the trail:

https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/479729/colorado-trail-the-entire-mtb-route-imba-epic

includes the Tarrayal Detour, so I'm guessing the 470 mile version is the 285 detour.

[Bigbuck]

As of now, I’m planning on it! The lack of winter down here in Durango made staying in good shape an easy task. Right now, the Hermosa Creek zone is on fire. A real bummer. The CT section that skirts this area is to remain open for now. Just FYI. By the time the Race rolls around hopefully the monsoons will have done their best to help out. Could be a lonnngg month though. S

[Yogi the Barry]

@tanadog,
As a result of living in the Desert Southwest for over 35 years, I hate mosquitoes! During my three rolls of the CTR, about the only area which I consistently had to apply bug juice was Fooses Creek, on the even years, when it's an ascent up the creek. On a ten scale, the bother was only about a three. But your bugs may vary...
-Barry

so how big a deal are bugs at night? ,,,snip...

[treekiwi]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1913357528684352&id=115337198486403

As of now, I’m planning on it! The lack of winter down here in Durango made staying in good shape an easy task. Right now, the Hermosa Creek zone is on fire. A real bummer. The CT section that skirts this area is to remain open for now. Just FYI. By the time the Race rolls around hopefully the monsoons will have done their best to help out. Could be a lonnngg month though. S

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[smokeater]

Hello All,

I ditched the FB, so hopefully this thread will serve as a way I can keep aprised of any details leading upto this years race.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to move my vacation around the decided upon start date of the 29th, I sent Stefan a LOI today locking in my ITT challenge heading out of Waterton the morning of Thursday, July 19, 2018.

I've got a couple questions in for Stefan awaiting answers: first I am in need of confirmation that Toby's GPX from Denver to Durango will suffice and second what the link for trackleaders will be for registering my spot.

I'm excited and hoping for a safe race attempt.

Cheers,

Smokeater

[aarond]

As of June 9, the Colorado Trail is completely closed (temporarily, hopefully) from Molas Pass (Silverton) to Junction Creek (Durango) due to the Burro fire.
https://the-journal.com/articles/99843-crews-look-for-a-foothold-to-engage-growing-burro-fire

The closure is currently in effect until July 31, unless lifted earlier.

[treekiwi]

FYI, Stage 3 fire restrictions expected to go into effect Tuesday. This means all of the San Juan National Forest will be closed to all entry. Any sections of the CT that traverse the closed area shall remain closed until sufficient moisture has lowered fire conditions.
Hate to say it, but let's hope for an early an vigorous monsoon season. Better a wet race than no race at all.

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[Inertiaman]

So given the fire situation, what would locals and/or those w/ CTR experience recommend to someone who is about to book flights (or not) and has unlimited schedule flexibility to do this another time (next year, ITT in mid-Sept, etc).

Once I commit to my flights the consequences of race delays/cancellations are obviously significantly more expensive.  As of today, I can change plans w/ zero cost/hassle.