Events/Trails March ROTM. Two runs in one Saturday March 26th (2 Viewers)

[Saddletramp]

*******Revised trip******. Mount Ord is not possible so we will only be running one trail in and out.

I will be leading a March run of the month with only one component, a run out FR393 to the back of Bartlett Lake.



Plan meet up at 7:30 at the Ba’Ja Chevron gas station across from the Weekopah Casino on the Beeline Highway 87. Address for Ba’Ja: 10180 N Fort McDowell Rd, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264. Be gassed up and ready to depart by 7:45am. We will air down at the bottom of the hill for our trip up the mountain. Maybe pack a lunch if you want to spend time exploring or stopping to take in the desert scenery.

FR393 to the backside of Bartlett lake and camp overnight and we will also lead people in and back out for those wanting just a day trip. This is a fun trail, I pre-ran it today with Alvis, and it has some good washouts and off camber driving, while only 12 miles long it will take our group 3 hours to reach the lake at best. My best estimate is that we will reach the lake around 11am. The camp area is by the lake and is sandy but not very level near the water. Evening temps can be cool, we will have a fire if allowed but people should dress warm for the evening but the daytime temps could be warm.

I’m looking forward to seeing some new faces and some familiar ones for this outing.

We did come out Log Corral in case anyone asks, it is definitely not something most people will want to run. Plan on driving back out 363 the way we came in Sunday morning.

 

[-Spike-]

Mount Ord:
this is a mostly stocker friendly run with with a few ruts and a couple of steep uphill climbs. The club adopted is trail and have yet to run it in 2021 or 2022 because (you know why). We want to make sure we pick up any trash may trim some brush along the way and pause for some scenic shots. The whole trail is just a few short hours but depending on the condition and trash we may need some extra time. Plan on 4 hours from our gas up point to the end of the trail at the Beeline Highway.

FWIW: I ran FR27 (Mt. Ord back road) with a group of TRAL volunteers in May 2021, and we did some repairs on it. I wouldn't characterize it as stocker friendly; at the time I rated it as 'Modified 4wd required' and my notes were- "All vegetation burned in Bush fire. Surface is eroded, some off camber spots, need good clearance and approach and departure angles." In my opinion it's more challenging than 393, which I rated as '4wd required' when I ran that in October. It's also likely that storms since that inspection have made 27 even more challenging, as is often the case in fire-damaged areas.

 

[Hank Tank]

This sounds like a fun run. According to comments on All Trails, the washouts from monsoons over the Summer are pretty bad now. Has anyone been through there this year yet?

 

[Saddletramp]

Thanks for the update @-Spike- . I will look to pre run the trail and get back to everyone. Sounds like there is work to be done in which case we will need to coordinate with TRAL for a work party.

 

[Saddletramp]

Some of these washouts may cause bumper damage

 

[ftbshop]

Gonna try and make this one if my headgasket job is done by then

 

[ARJMN]

Well, earning a paycheck gets in the way of fun yet again. I will be in "da great white norte, eh" that weekend. It is beautiful, if not a bit chilly, in British Columbia so I really can't complain too much. Y'all have some fun for me.

 

[-Spike-]

Thanks for the update @-Spike- . I will look to pre run the trail and get back to everyone. Sounds like there is work to be done in which case we will need to coordinate with TRAL for a work party.

If you let me know when you plan to pre-run 27 I'd be interested in tagging along if my schedule allows.

 

[Saddletramp]

If you let me know when you plan to pre-run 27 I'd be interested in tagging along if my schedule allows.

Will do Ben

 

[Saddletramp]

If you let me know when you plan to pre-run 27 I'd be interested in tagging along if my schedule allows.

I’m going Sunday to pre-run Mount Ord. @brices123 may go along as well.

 

[-Spike-]

I’m going Sunday to pre-run Mount Ord. @brices123 may go along as well.

Sounds good, pm'ed.

 

[LongDuck]

EDIT; Thanks for the after action report to see how much trail maintenance will be needed. I just bought some new Fiskars clippers and they could use a workout, one of these days when the trail is more accessible.

 

[Saddletramp]

@-Spike- , @brices123 and I ran the mt Ord run today, tried I should say, and there is no way past some of the wash outs. We turned back after a little over a mile due to the off amber, washed out roads and loose ground. I’m thinking the roads will not b repaired until more vegetation is in place. Many thanks to Ben and Brice for their company and guidance on the trail, I know we made the right choice to turn around.

Th revised plan is to just run FR393. For those not wishing to camp we will lead a trip in and back out. High clearance is required but most difficult spots have bypasses. If anyone has any questions please pm me.

 

[brices123]

Photos 1 of 2

 

[brices123]

Photos 2 of 2

If you want to watch some videos

Mt. Ord #27

Tonto FR#27 (Mt. Ord) on 3/20/22

flic.kr

 

[Hank Tank]

@-Spike- , @brices123 and I ran the mt Ord run today, tried I should say, and there is no way past some of the wash outs. We turned back after a little over a mile due to the off amber, washed out roads and loose ground. I’m thinking the roads will not b repaired until more vegetation is in place. Many thanks to Ben and Brice for their company and guidance on the trail, I know we made the right choice to turn around.

Th revised plan is to just run FR393. For those not wishing to camp we will lead a trip in and back out. High clearance is required but most difficult spots have bypasses. If anyone has any questions please pm me.

How long do you think it will take to run FR393 out n back? Can it be accomplished in the AM or is it more of an all day thing?

 

[Saddletramp]

If the group is small, in and out is maybe 5 hours. I was home by 3pm on the pre-run and sat for an hour of watching Alvis cast fishing lures to no avail and then a 30 minute lunch. We exited Log corral but it was slow going

 

[Saddletramp]

I’ve had a few people ask if they had to drive all the way to the lake. There are plenty of places to turn around on the trail and yes anyone can take a half day trip , the route in is also the route out.

See people tomorrow morning at BaJa gas station

 

[Hank Tank]

I’m in!

 

[Hank Tank]

Had a blast with Alvis and Steve!