Grand Loop 2009

[Stefan_G]

The West End is about to get some single track love!      Here's the map of the project.

Paul, this is so awesome!! New singletack, with Nucla practically right on the route for resupply. Fantastic!

[windowace]

Slight Chance I can make it, but very interested in a late spring/ early summer giddyup. Such an amazing area!

[Gimmearaise]

I had thoughts of this route the other day as it's so close to home. I was thinking about touring it, but if there is a race, sign me up. Is the last weekend in may too early? June is swamped for me.

[bgiro]

I understand the higher elevations have a lot of snow pack this year.  As a result, the route may not be snow free as early as we will like would like, but the ITT option is open.

After talking to both Paul Koski and Bill Harris I have created a GPS track but I want to put my boots on the ground to survey parts that are new and unproven.  Note, the GPS track I create will not have all of the new Paradox route included as parts of it are still under construction and will be at least one more season before its available.  The route I have will go into Nucla and misses Bedrock completely.

[Gimmearaise]

I hear ya, was looking at the Snotel yesterday, It looks like 43 inches on the ground up a Columbine Pass. That is a solid amount.

http://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/reportGenerator/view/customSingleStationReport/daily/409:co:SNTL/-7,0/WTEQ::value,SNWD::value,PREC::value,TOBS::value,TMAX::value,TMIN::value,TAVG::value

[JimL]

The Google Earth overlays from this site are informative as well: http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/earth/

[Woodland]

I understand the higher elevations have a lot of snow pack this year.  As a result, the route may not be snow free as early as we will like would like, but the ITT option is open.
After talking to both Paul Koski and Bill Harris I have created a GPS track but I want to put my boots on the ground to survey parts that are new and unproven.  Note, the GPS track I create will not have all of the new Paradox route included as parts of it are still under construction and will be at least one more season before its available.  The route I have will go into Nucla and misses Bedrock completely.

I think what initially attracted me to this route/race years ago was that a GPX track was NOT being handed out - as part of the experience of the route was finding your way. My $.02

[Woodland]

But now I see the GPX has been posted on bikepacking.net since 2012, so...nevermind, I guess.

[JimL]

But now I see the GPX has been posted on bikepacking.net since 2012, so...nevermind, I guess.

I'd say even with the track, you'll still be bushwhacking a bit.  And there's still the conundrum of available water sources...

[Gimmearaise]

All the more reason to do t!!

[bgiro]

I’m posting the 2016 Grand Loop route gpx file.  

I want to thank Paul Koski, Bill Harris and Kurt Refsnider for input on the route.  This route is very much like the prior route except for the new Paradox trail and the routing through the Grand Junction area.

The snow is slowly melting away and if I remember correctly, past rides were timed such that 2 weeks after the Columbine Pass SNOTEL showed no trace of snow, it was go time.  I’ve included a link to the SNOTEL web page.

http://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=409

[Gimmearaise]

Rad, thanks! Hope I can ride it in early June.

[bgiro]

Heads up!

The water faucet at Westwater Ranger station is not available due to construction.  Of course, you can treat the river for your needs.

[Gimmearaise]

The water faucet at Westwater Ranger station is not available due to construction.  Of course, you can treat the river for your needs.

I was there about a month ago. They had a huge tank of Non-Potable water. Wonder if they still have it? They also had this set up this past fall.

[bgiro]

It looks like the the end of the month will be a great time to start the GL.  I understand that the higher elevations are still a bit soggy from snow melt, but we should be able go without having a mud fest and still have some ground water to treat for hydration at that time.

I will be starting at the Dewey Bridge area on the morning of the 28th.  If any like minded people want to join in the ride of ~370 miles, come join me.  I was thinking a 6:00am start would work.

Of course, you can start at anytime and anyplace along the track I posted earlier.

I hope to see a few of you on the Grand Loop.

[Gimmearaise]

Is that where the "start" location is? May have a few days to squeak it in after memorial day.

[Stefan_G]

Is that where the "start" location is? May have a few days to squeak it in after memorial day.

Traditional start was at the Lunch Loops in GJ with an untimed "prologue" out to the Koko TH. The prologue usually took about 2 hours.  That was long ago though, so if you guys are reviving it and including the prologue in the overall time (Dave Harris did this on the old route through Bedrock I think) then start wherever seems best and just report back on watcha did! 

I look forward to the Grand Loop coming back into vogue - it was really the first multi-day bike adventure for me where I pushed harder than just touring. It covers some really cool terrain for sure.

[BD]

Columbine Snotel went to zero on the 13th. My experience is even 2 weeks after that the ST in the deep, east-facing woods behind Darling Lake are still pretty sketchy. I would prepare to posthole some on a cold and wettish spring like we have had. Watch your GPS. Hopefully this will not be the case for you all. That is some fun ST too. My guess is once you drop down to the Roubideau proper it will be somewhat drier with plenty of water in all those creeks.

Not that it matters, but I do not believe the GPX track for this years race has any of the "new" Paradox reroute on it as Mr. Koski et al have laid it out. Koski put a map of the new route on this forum a while back- I can't seem to find it currently. The route in this GPX track is very ride-able into and out of Nucla- from Tab Creek to Pinto Mesa is all high standard roads. If you have not ridden the original Paradox Route through Horse Park, Doby and Coal Canyons and up Pinto Mesa... it is unenjoyably stiff in my view. I think the route on this years GPX is better and more enjoyable, but have high hopes the new reroute will strike a sweet balance between the two options. We will see.

In my view a Dewey start on this years route has its advantages regarding resupply. It allows you to start with calories, and resupply twice- Nucla and GJ/Fruita. That is a pretty sweet deal on the GL route. I don't know how the original racers frigging did it, especially Stephan who I believe is still only one to race GJ to GJ via the Koski Traverse AND the original paradox Route- NO resupply anywhere. I have tried that route several times, and cannot do it. Just not fast enough so the food weight for those 340 miles unsupported is rough for mortals like me. Even the GJ to GJ via the old (now closed) Bedrock Store as only resupply is tough to pull off.

Best of luck to all. I so look forward to seeing some trip reports. It is great country. Pretty rugged. No grading, no switchbacks, no erosion control... at moments no hope, seemingly.

[BD]

Just found map Mr. Koski's map of proposed paradox reroute on page 12 of this very thread!... and apologies for misspelling Stefan's name. Peace. Out.

[j.j.81]

I'm leaving tomorrow to tour the loop from Fruita. I planned my vacation months ago and gambled on the dates. Sounds like I should expect more snowy hike-a-bike than I was expecting. I figure I'll finish next weekend, which might a bit too late to provide first hand trail knowledge for a race start on the 28th.

Cheers
Jeff