START: Tuesday July 30, 2024 @ 6 a.m.
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.
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.
This 5 day 320 mile loop challenge begins at 6 a.m. July 30, 2024. The clock stops each day 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.
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 days with lower mileage have more singletrack, mountainous riding similar to the Colorado Trail in difficulty (expert level) and the longer mileage days have more dirt road and double track, each day will take most riders at least a full day of riding to complete.
Stage 1 starts 5 miles from Big Horn, Wyoming and is approximately 50 miles long, ending at Arrowhead Lodge. There are 3 lodges within 5 miles here, a couple of public campgrounds and plenty of options for wild camping in this zone.
Stage 2 starts upon leaving Arrowhead Lodge passes through the town of Shell, WY at about 35 miles where there is a grill and some resupply, and after a long 20 mile climb, reaches the Ranger Creek Group Campground at about 55 miles, which has been reserved for the night of July 31. Riders may elect to retrieve drop bags here, food only!
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231834?tab=info
Stage 3 starts after leaving the Ranger Creek Campground and covers approximately 75 miles, ending in the town of Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site at about 60 miles may have limited snacks. 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.
Stage 4 begins with a departure from Ten Sleep, after a long initial climb of about 25 miles, there is limited resupply at Deer Haven Lodge or Meadowlark Lodge. 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.
Stage 5, the clock starts on the last day when leaving Buffalo and completes the loop at the finish line, near Big Horn, Wyoming, about 60 miles later.
.gpx will be up shortly after the snow melts, hopefully before the end of June.
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