Most of the trails are complete and we have a few gps logs below. We are thinking of the following route for the 50 with some minor adjustments possible:
Bowen Ranch>Pipeline>Lazy Cow>Knapp’s>Cardiac>AC Draw>Upper Grasslands>Mule Shoe>Knapp’s>Scenic>Sotol>Pipeline (back to Bowen Ranch – Feedzone)>Lazy Cow>Trenchtown>Stan’s>Knapp’s>Mundy’s Gap>Upper Sunset>Lower Sunset>Shortcut 1>Upper Sunset>new trail over the northern pass to Hitt Canyon>Windmill>Pipeline>Sotol>RockShock>Mad Cow.
The 35 will not do Mule Shoe, Lower Sunset loop, and Sotol>Rock Shock>Mad Cow.
All the loops are gps’s and all the trails are complete. You won’t have to bushwack through any cactus to complete the route. You may have to walk up a few switchbacks that have not been completed. Cardiac is included in the 13 mile gps file, but it will not be in the race.
GPS link for the first 13 miles is here.
Here is the link for the Lower Sunset loop. Only the 50 milers will do this loop. It is in the west side of the state park.
Here is the link for the Big Loop. Both 35 milers and 50 milers will do this loop with the 50 milers adding on Sotol Forest and Mad Cow at the end.
There may be some sections changed or removed from the currently posted route as the length of both routes is about 2 miles longer than necessary. If these changes occur they will be minor and well marked.
[...] COURSE [...]
I think I’m getting it now. Just a few things.
Do the 50 milers ride the 4 mile eastern section (going north)of the Lower Sunset trail twice?
Also, is Mad Cow the trail to the right while going down Rock Shock?
Thanks for your help,
Bret
You are correct on both Bret. The eastern section on the west side of the mountains is called Upper Sunset. It will be ridden twice by the 50 milers. You will loop it back on the south end at short cut #1 to avoid going into the Jobe area of destruction. You are correct on Mad Cow as well. Rippin’ fun!
So basically, it looks like the full 50-mile marathon will be:
1.) “first 13 miles”
(pass through start/finish area)
2.) First half of “Big Loop”
3.) All of “Lower Sunset Loop”
4.) Repeat part of “Lower Sunset Loop” (just like Bret pointed out)
5.) Finish “Big Loop”
(finish)
Is this the basic plan (with small loops added / subracted)?
-David
Yes, except the first 13 miles is now closer to 11.5. 50′s will also ride Sotol>Mad Cow for the finish.
Haven’t done this race before, so am not familiar with the area. Is there something that links the GPS maps (which are great) to the trail section names?
Thanks
-Jim
Not sure what you mean, but our trails have no official names or signage. Most of the names we are using are ones the rangers use and most of the mountain bike community here has spread around over the past few years.
I signed up for the 50, but if I can only make 35, does this put me near the start/finish?
Start/finishes are in one location…..for both distances.
will the course marking make it possible to follow the 50 course without using a GPS unit.
TB
Yes. We will have lots of arrows and striped flagging on the left side of the course. There will be course marshals at all critical junctions. We will also have sections subject to sabatoge in the past (one section was removed completely) checked by marshals before race start.
You will NOT need a gps.
Can we have our own feeeds taken to the feed zones that we can retrieve when we go through? Also, where exactly is the second feed zone on the east side? I would think somewhere after the descent from Mundy’s?
I thought that the feed zone drop style of the Breck Epic worked well, can we have something like that?
BTW- course is looking great and the flagging is awesome, can’t imagine anyone getting lost! Great work!
There is only one feedzone on the east side and that is at the Bowen Ranch…..I think you’re getting your compass flipped.
Feedzone #2 is at the upper parking lot in the Tom May’s Unit of the State Park. Feedzone #3 is in the north end of the west side of the park in the wash where the course turns east to go over the new switchbacks or the 50 milers take a left to ride Lower Sunset.
You may have drop bags taken to both feedzones on the west side. They probably won’t lay them out Breck Epic style….probably more Laramie Enduro style. You might want to have a bag you recognize. I may use my #168 Breck Epic bags….so if you use yours make sure you remember the number!
Concerning the feed zones, what will be provided for the riders?
Water, Heed, fruit. No bottles.