I woke up a little disappointed having not completed the route up and over the Bradshaws. A loop is always more appealing, especially one that has new, unknown trails.
But alas, we were stuck riding Plan B, more singletrack on the BCT. Not too shabby of a Plan B.
complete with the same stunning views seen on Day 1 of the trip....
...and 4 river crossings.
Pause a moment with me and think about riding at this place in early March with about 10-20 of the funnest, outgoing bikepackers around the southwest. I call it a Bikepacking Rendezvous. The plan: we start at Black Canyon Trail at Emery and complete the loop. Plenty of old mines, saloons, singletrack, views, bail out points, etc.
I am not sure if it is the time alone on these trips but something really allows my mind to wander, endless ideas about bikepacking, life, Arizona, geology, etc.
I think part of it is the absence of noise. How many times can you really hear the wind, the ripple of a river (especially in Arizona) or the wings of birds flying over year heard? It's a special time in a special place enjoyed on a very, very small percent of society. During our 3-day trip, we saw 2 mountain bikers and probably about 10 hikers.
While I was pondering about bikepacking, I started thinking the Grand Arizona Loop (more like a figure 8 since you have to ride the Antelope Peak/Boulders AZT section twice) in Arizona. Here it is:
T100
McDowell's
Seven Springs
Cave Creek
BCT
De Soto Mine Rd
Yankee Doodle
Spruce Mtn
Prescott MC to Dells
Coconino Loop Race to Grand Canyon
Arizona Trail (Telegraph-Ripsey route)
Sonoran Hot Dog Loop
Tucson Mountain Park
Tortotlitas
50 Year
Char Gap
Arizona Trail (Boulders-Area 52-Picket Post route)
Goldfield
McDowells
T100
Just a vision and plenty of unknowns to iron it. I'd guess there could be about 50/50 singletrack to doubletrack.
At one of the stream crossings, we saw two bald eagles scoping out some fish. I tried to slowly move in for a photo and managed to get the following picture before they flew away. Pretty impressive wing span. They circled above us for about 5 minutes, gaining altitude with each circle with each passing gust of wind.
More incredible switchbacks. I encouraged Lee on with an occasional "Smack it!" shout.
We took the west section of the Little Pan Loop on the way back.
The final stats: 148 miles with 21,000 feet of climbing.
But alas, we were stuck riding Plan B, more singletrack on the BCT. Not too shabby of a Plan B.
complete with the same stunning views seen on Day 1 of the trip....
...and 4 river crossings.
Pause a moment with me and think about riding at this place in early March with about 10-20 of the funnest, outgoing bikepackers around the southwest. I call it a Bikepacking Rendezvous. The plan: we start at Black Canyon Trail at Emery and complete the loop. Plenty of old mines, saloons, singletrack, views, bail out points, etc.
I am not sure if it is the time alone on these trips but something really allows my mind to wander, endless ideas about bikepacking, life, Arizona, geology, etc.
I think part of it is the absence of noise. How many times can you really hear the wind, the ripple of a river (especially in Arizona) or the wings of birds flying over year heard? It's a special time in a special place enjoyed on a very, very small percent of society. During our 3-day trip, we saw 2 mountain bikers and probably about 10 hikers.
While I was pondering about bikepacking, I started thinking the Grand Arizona Loop (more like a figure 8 since you have to ride the Antelope Peak/Boulders AZT section twice) in Arizona. Here it is:
T100
McDowell's
Seven Springs
Cave Creek
BCT
De Soto Mine Rd
Yankee Doodle
Spruce Mtn
Prescott MC to Dells
Coconino Loop Race to Grand Canyon
Arizona Trail (Telegraph-Ripsey route)
Sonoran Hot Dog Loop
Tucson Mountain Park
Tortotlitas
50 Year
Char Gap
Arizona Trail (Boulders-Area 52-Picket Post route)
Goldfield
McDowells
T100
Just a vision and plenty of unknowns to iron it. I'd guess there could be about 50/50 singletrack to doubletrack.
At one of the stream crossings, we saw two bald eagles scoping out some fish. I tried to slowly move in for a photo and managed to get the following picture before they flew away. Pretty impressive wing span. They circled above us for about 5 minutes, gaining altitude with each circle with each passing gust of wind.
More incredible switchbacks. I encouraged Lee on with an occasional "Smack it!" shout.
We took the west section of the Little Pan Loop on the way back.
The final stats: 148 miles with 21,000 feet of climbing.
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