Dixie 200/311

[jkormanik]

Dave -

Thanks for putting this together! I'm a newbie with a few questions:

(1) I saw folks are camping near the start the evening before...where do folks camp?
(2) My ride does not have suspension...will that be an issue?
(3) On a scale of 1-10, how "difficult" is this ride?

Thanks in advance for your advice and answers!

[DaveH]

It just so happens I designed this route with newbies in mind - or those looking for a tuneup/gear shakedown for a longer event like CTR.

1. Most folks camped right at the start line as far as I can tell, dropping a sleeping bag next to their vehicle. Officially, there is public land access (Dixie national forest) just up the course, plenty of spots in the first mile or so.

2. Hardtail will be fine. Some of the trails near the end will be challenging.

3. Compared to other events I've done I would put it squarely in the middle, 5-6. Refuel and water is good so no huge distances between either. Good balance of singletrack and everything else. There is at least one good route finding challenge. The southern Paunsaugunt is quite remote and wild and is the primary difference compared to the Dixie Lite.

Grizzly Adam did a good write up of his time on the trail (the Dixie Lite), it's here: http://www.cyclingutah.com/racing/mountain-bike-racing/bikepacking-the-dixie-170/

[jkormanik]

Thanks, Dave! If I can convince the boss...I may very well be there!

[phil_rad]

Nice write up Adam 

Sounds like an awesome route.

[Eszter]

Difficulty a 5-6?  Oh man...I must be a sissy.

[DaveH]

Difficulty a 5-6?  Oh man...I must be a sissy.

No comment

Consensus after last year's event was the route was a perfect balance of...everything. For those confused by Eszter's comment - she was the sole finisher (survivor?) of the modified 2011 event. The route was modified because of the biggest snowpack on record in these parts. Parts of the route that year had lots of downed trees covering it...last year all was clear.

As of today snowpack at the route  highpoint is 69% of normal which should translate into perfect conditions for a summer equinox start.

[GrizzlyAdam]

Did the Spruce Trail ever get cleared of deadfall?

[Buttermilk]

I downloaded the zip files for the 311 & 200 and it appears that the 311 start is different than the 200. Is that accurate and is the 311 zip file the most up-to-date? Planning and hoping to make this desert odyssey this summer!

[DaveH]

Yes, the 200 and 311 do start in different places.  Technically speaking, the 311 is an ITT route only, so you could pick your start location. The start for the 200 was moved last year due to Hwy 14 from Cedar city being obliterated by mudslide the previous fall. The new start location worked out so well I decided to keep it.  It also means Dark Hollow chunky techy descent to the finish.

Adam, the Spruce trail did get cleared.

[Buttermilk]

Thanks Dave,
...so a mass start with the 200, continue on the 311 where the two separate on Hwy 12, rejoin the 200 and finish with the 200. Any reason not to do the ride this way (other than it is not the official route for either route)? It works out to about 320 miles. I do like the mass starts and 300+ miles is just a good distance.

[DaveH]

That sounds like a great adventure to me. In full disclosure though, parts of the Sevier and Tushar sections of the 311 are difficult to follow and to ride/hike due to downed trees and steep trails. There have been only 3 people to ride it in it's entirety: myself in ~ 3.5 days and Mike Curiak and Greg in ~ 7 days (they had fishing poles). Several  others have done major portions of the route, and one couple have done it 3 times. Generally speaking, nobody comes to "race" the 311.

The route you propose is a good one. It cuts out the out and back part of the 311 (Woods ranch to Navajo lake), a good part of which is Virgin River Rim singletrack. It also adds in some Brian Head trails and I really like the final techy descent to the finish.

[jkormanik]

Dave -

I'm a little confused looking at the map. I'm wondering about the "short" segment that has "Sydney Peaks Trail" as a way point. Does the 200 go on that portion?

Thanks!

[DaveH]

I'm a little confused looking at the map. I'm wondering about the "short" segment that has "Sydney Peaks Trail" as a way point. Does the 200 go on that portion?

Yep - twice in fact.  Click the waypoints on the live map for additional details. Here's how it flows.

[jkormanik]

Gotcha!  Thanks! (It's really looking like I'm going to make this happen!

[ImAFred]

I'm thinking of throwing my hat in the ring for this one as well!

[Marshal]

Dave,

How is overnight parking in 2nd LH canyon?  Good place to leave vehicle or would it be better to leave it 4 mi away in Parowan?

[DaveH]

There is room for maybe 6 vehicles. There are lots of other options up the course, or along the hwy nearby as well. I don't know of any issues leaving vehicles there (like when my truck was broken into at the Tab trail!). I'd shoot for one of the above over the Parowan option, mostly to avoid riding up the hwy.

[ImAFred]

Dave, isn't there parking right below the 2nd left hand turn by a small reservoir?

[DaveH]

Dave, isn't there parking right below the 2nd left hand turn by a small reservoir?

Yes, just before the road up to Yankee (1st lefthand canyon) on left side of the hwy is a long section to park. It's big enough for any crowd this event will draw If you want to camp the night before, the forest service land begins just a short hop up the route (1000 ft or so?) and there are many good sites the first ~mile.

[jkormanik]

Okay...so I "attempted" a self-supported ride of the Kokopelli Trial from Loma to Moab last week on my non-suspension Salsa Fargo Ti. The first 13 miles were placed there by the Devil himself (at least as far as I'm concerned).  Way too technical for me. Also, way too much HAB for my taste. Does the Dixie 200 relate to any portion of the KT? If so, please enlighten me...