2024 RESULTS: Mathieu Mills takes 1st place!
START: Tuesday July 30, 2024 @ 6 a.m.
SOLO and UNSUPPORTED
Rules are the same as for the Colorado Trail Race: CTR Rules
This singletrack heavy loop features ample parking at the start/finish and is designed to allow for maximum rest and recovery between each stage. Riders will surely be tired by the end, but hopefully they won't be sleep deprived zombies. Each stage ends at a resupply point with the exception of Stage 2 which ends at Ranger Creek Campground where riders may retrieve drop bags which must be disposable, i.e., a plastic bag.
Riders should set their tracking interval to the shortest time possible. Each rider's day will be analyzed on Trackleaders.com to determine what time they started and finished each stage. Extrapolation may be used when necessary to determine total stage time when a rider's tracking record is incomplete.
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The trail is very similar to the Colorado Trail in difficulty but receives much less trail maintenance than the Colorado Trail. The descents tend to be long and sometimes quite rocky, dropper posts or lowering your saddle for the descents is very helpful. The only thing standing between you and serious injury or death is your own good judgment. Whenever in doubt, get off and walk your bike through the difficult sections, the course is too remote for any kind of an easy rescue. Although water levels should be low by the end of July, heavy precipitation or reservoir releases may raise the water level. If you are uncomfortable with any water crossing, turn around and find an alternate route. Avenza maps has the North Half and South Half of the Big Horn Forest map on an app for your phone which will geolocate you.
START: Tuesday July 30, 2024 @ 6 a.m.
Each day the clock stops for every rider when they reach the finish line for that stage, and the clock does not begin again until the rider starts the next day. Only the first day has a set start time, after that, riders may start each day's journey whenever they wish, but there is a maximum stop time of 12 hours, or until 8 a.m., whichever is longer, before starting each stage. Each stage should take experienced bikepackers around 8 to 16 hours to complete. Make sure you bring a headlight and tail light.
The best word to
describe this course is WILD! Lightly traveled back country with lots of wildlife
and lots of water. ITT's are always welcome, the best time to ride this route is usually after mid July when the snow has all melted, the mosquitoes have slowed down and the trail is in good shape.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The first two days are a little easier, earlier starts are recommended on the last 3 days.
The days with lower mileage have more singletrack, and the longer mileage days have more dirt road and double track.
Stage 1 starts 5 miles from Big Horn, Wyoming and is approximately 40 miles long, ending at Arrowhead Lodge. Bear Lodge is 4 miles up the road and Elk View lodge is 4.5 miles up the road. In addition, within a couple of miles are Prune Creek, Pine Island and Sibley Lake campgrounds. Arrowhead Lodge may also offer camping. Opportunities for wild camping are also plentiful, remember that out of sight is out of mind.
Day 2 Starts 4 miles up the road at Bear Lodge. This is because Bear Lodge opens earlier, closes later and has additional but limited resupply options in addition to the limited resupply options at Arrowhead Lodge.
Stage 2 Starts one mile after leaving Bear Lodge and completes the loop in a CLOCKWISE direction (turn left when the tracks intersect). After completing the loop, the route again passes by Bear Lodge and Arrowhead Lodge and then takes a hard right just past Arrowhead Lodge, reaching the Ranger Creek Group Campground after about 65 miles, which has been reserved for the night of July 31. Riders may elect to retrieve drop bags here, food only! Please make sure drop supplies are in a plastic bag which can be thrown away at the campground.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231834?tab=infoStage 3 starts one mile after the Ranger Creek Campground, the first 22 miles are rolling and sometimes steeply climbing gravel before hitting a very long descent. The day covers approximately 80 miles, ending at the Pony Express gas station in the town of Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site at about 60 miles has some soda and maybe some candy bars. The last 18 miles or so are smooth sailing. There are a couple of motels and restaurants in Ten Sleep, a well stocked gas station, a campground and BLM land nearby for wild camping. Ten Sleep Brewing, one mile west of town offers dry camping as well.
Stage 4 begins one mile after leaving the Pony Express in Ten Sleep. The initial climb of about 30 miles has very few trees so if you don't like heat, skipping breakfast and leaving early is recommended. There is usually a spring running about halfway up the climb which is the only water on this section. You can fill up on top of the climb at Deer Haven or Meadowlark Lodge. The last half of this stage goes quicker than the first half, ending at the Busy Bee Diner on Fetterman and Main. This stage totals about 80 miles and ends in the town of Buffalo, Wyoming which has several motels, restaurants, a couple of grocery stores and a couple of campgrounds. This is a long stage, leaving early is recommended.
Stage 5, the clock starts on the last day one mile from the Busy Bee in downtown Buffalo. This stage starts with 45 miles of scenic and lightly traveled gravel to bypass the Rock Creek Wilderness. There is a resupply near the end of the road section in Story, WY at about 47 miles and then the fun begins, starting with a good hike a bike. Total stage distance is about 75 miles back to the start. This is also a long stage, again, leaving early is recommended on the final day.
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