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TR - Queens Ransom bikepack 2022 https://dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=18329 |
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Author: | evdog [ Sun Mar 27, 2022 12:42 pm ] |
Post subject: | TR - Queens Ransom bikepack 2022 |
Back in 2015 I was able to join Schillingsworth on one of his initial runs on the Queen’s Ransom bikepack route. I think it may still have been under its original name the Salty Gila at that point. There were just three of us that year. The route has come a long way since, and was recently published on Bikepacking.com, so it will see a lot more traffic now in addition to the grand depart which I was able to join this past weekend. 25 riders this time around. The route starts in Queen Creek near Gateway airport and traverses north across Phoenix on canal roads then onto singletrack much of the way through Hawes, Usery, Goldfields, Gold Canyon before picking up the Arizona Trail near Superior and then looping around back to Phx. Rolling out of casa de Schillingsworth we had a 20-some mile warmup on bike paths and canal roads. The group stuck together for this stretch. After a quick water and snack break at Desert Trails bike park we were soon on the singletrack at Hawes And then ducked back into a neighborhood where friends had set up a sag stop for us complete with donuts, bacon, coffee, juice And peanut butter whiskey. Two things I don’t like, but turned out are great in combination OK, back to riding Schilling led us on a slight route deviation on new trail Big Sister, which will soon be incorporated into the route. Fun, flowy trail with some jumps that aren’t really bikepack appropriate No mylar balloon left behind Continuing on to Usery Regional Park the nice views continue Phoenix is that way, in case you’re lost Cholla forest A bit of rain and a bit of hike a bike to keep us warm Camp for the night is on the other side of those mountains 25 riders burning in some lesser used singletrack Into the Goldfields with some surprisingly nice singletrack. I was positive Schilling had found a nice new route through there, but he said it’s the same route we took in the 2015 edition. The Superstitions up close A rare pic of myself by Schillingsworth Golden hour Sunset approaching, I was hoping to make it to the grocery store in Apache Junction with daylight Perfect ending to the day Made it to dinner/resupply without needing lights. Fueled up, it was 5 miles of pavement and 2 never-ending miles of trail to get to camp. A fire and tacos were waiting for us, but mostly we just wanted to get to bed and crash out after 75+ miles. Long, but awesome day! Stats 76.8mi, +5,680/-4,870ft |
Author: | evdog [ Sun Mar 27, 2022 12:44 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: TR - Queens Ransom bikepack 2022 |
Day 2 Queens Ransom camp. Friends had come up the previous day to reserve the spot for us. Even though it’s a remote part of Gold Canyon there were still apparently numerous vehicles that approached wanting the spot. Good thing we got it! Setting off under grey skies Gold Canyon not only has awesome trails but a gorgeous backdrop with the Superstition Mtns right behind it Hannes came all the way from Germany to ride the QR. He also did the Fool’s Loop right before this. Micro Moab A bunch of jeep roads led us to the small golf community of Queen Valley. Not much here but a golf course, a club house/restaurant, and some houses. We got food and beer here, ready to head for Superior It used to be a straight shot to the Arizona Trail TH but poorly behaved shooters and offroaders caused the locals to shut down a portion of Hewitt Station Rd that is on private property. So we now get to do a nice detour up into the hills. After resupply at the Circle K in Superior we rolled out on the LOST (Legends of Superior Trails) and then dropped into Arnett Canyon Arnett Canyon is just a couple years old but has already been subject to fire and floods. It has been nicely rebuilt with some impressive rock armoring and is riding well again Lots of stream crossings this time of year Picketpost Mtn looms above us as we head toward the AZT Our German, Hannes, gets the full Arizona experience. He’d already met Cholla cactus earlier, and now crashed on some prickly pear. Brandon here came from Florida for the ride and is about to enjoy some solid climbing to camp Saguaros burned in 2020 after flares dropped during a military exercise didn’t ignite until they hit the ground, burning ~100+k acres of gorgeous desert. Fortunately plenty of saguaros survived, and the brush is coming back. Golden hour comes early. Hoping to get to camp again without needing lights, I’ve still got a ways to go. Looking back down the canyon Made it after sunset and with some stubbornness did not need my lights. Most were already in camp, including a number of backpackers who were hopefully not too annoyed that 25 bikepackers showed up to share their spot : ) No fire, everyone was out cold by 830 or so. Stats for day 2 – 54mi, +5,470/-3,890ft |
Author: | evdog [ Sun Mar 27, 2022 12:45 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: TR - Queens Ransom bikepack 2022 |
Day 3 Night 2 camp was at a new rain collector built by the AZT Association a couple years back. This is one of the few spots that could accommodate our group, and the fact there is a reliable water source there is a bonus. Camp was right at the top of Martinez Canyon, one of the most scenic parts of the AZT. By camping here we'd get to see the canyon in morning light. Approaching the next saddle above Martinez Some of the best views not named the Grand Canyon IMO Brian doing a bit of pushing at this point. I love that lone cactus growing out of the rock I took some time to just sit and have a snack and soak it in. With the morning light the views were just incredible. Around the corner, looking south Cactus forest as the trail crosses to the west side of the canyon The crossing back to the east side is guarded by the Two-Thumbs-Up cactus. His thumbs are getting pretty huge! I had plenty of water and with the breaks and photo stops hadn’t seen any riders for awhile so I skipped the stop at the Gila River. Eventually caught up to a few before the Gila train bridge. It’s still an active railway but no trains today Made it to the A-Dot spigot in Kelvin and had a snack, then kept going. We had a 2-mile climb up the AZT on the south side of the river to the Florence-Kelvin highway. Lots of flowers blooming on this section The Florence-Kelvin (dirt) highway sucks. 5 miles of this. I walked a bunch of it. Schilling’s wife came out to provide us a sag stop. Water, sodas, margaritas, chips, donuts, etc etc. Nice break before the final push to camp. The 2015 crew reunited – Chris, Schilling, Evdog. 12 miles to camp was mostly downhill, and scenic in golden hour The faster riders were nice enough to have a campfire waiting for us upon arrival Hannes from Germany had been unaccounted for all day. He camped below us night before, but made it to the rain collector before the last of us left in the morning. He hadn’t been seen since, and ended up making a wrong turn and got behind everyone. He made it to camp 3 though, so all was good. Only one dropout on day 1 which made for an unusually paltry attrition rate for a route like this. Stats day 3 – 44mi, +5,110/-7110ft |
Author: | evdog [ Sun Mar 27, 2022 12:46 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: TR - Queens Ransom bikepack 2022 |
Day 4 Camp 3 was below a formation known as Area 52. It’s a cool rock plateau with lots of slabs and walls. The 2015 route went up it after camping at the same spot. Again we’d camp in the wash below but this time would navigate around it. A bit chilly. I’d prefer frost to the heavy condensation we had the last time here. Shitty climb out of camp Looking back Brush tunnels above the river (or whats left of it) Loading up with calories at McDs in Florence. Ice cream was my craving, fortunately the machine was working After Florence its 20+ miles of canal roads and other flat dirt roads. Some were ok Others were not very memorable, but needed to make the loop Getting into San Tan Regional park we’re back on trails and soon pass the Shaka Cactus Climbing up to the high point I think we were all ready to be done by this point so we didn’t spend any time hanging around Final descent We re-grouped at Desert View Park before pedaling over together to the brewery for final meal Rolling out as a group Toast to Schllingsworth for putting together a great route Stats final day – 56mi, +1,750/-2,000ft After a few easy miles back to the start we parted ways. I headed over to Gold Canyon to rest up. Ended up taking a full day off. New shower setup proves its worth. Cool breeze was no match for 100F water! |
Author: | Dirtrider [ Sun Mar 27, 2022 8:40 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: TR - Queens Ransom bikepack 2022 |
Thanks evdog for another great TR |
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