AZT Race GPS Data
2010 GPS Data subject to revision
AZT 300 2010 revision 1 data [GPX format] (1.5 MB)
All files are in the GPX directory.
See track uploading tutorial for help getting the GPX file onto your GPS.
AZT 300 cue sheets (updated for 2010)
Mileage cues [Excel Format]
Warning: The cues are were taken using GPS mileage, so expect them to be underestimates, if anything.
Warning 2: The cues are not as detailed when the route is on the AZT. For detours expect high detail, but otherwise it's up to you to stay on the Arizona Trail. GPS and maps are highly recommended. One exception to this is on newly constructed pieces of AZT (e.g. Las Colinas / Cienega Corridor), where cues are detailed due to lack of info on these fresh sections of AZT.
AZT 300 Route Description
The race starts at the AZT Trailhead at Parker Canyon Lake. It follows the Arizona Trail to the town of Patagonia, passing through Canelo Pass. This ~35 mile section of primarily singletrack will give racers a taste of what's to come. Expect some hike-a-bike, right off the bat. Elevations range from 4500 to 6000 feet.
In Patagonia, the Arizona Trail heads north into the Mount Wrightson Wilderness. The race doesn't follow it, but instead takes a scenic (and more difficult) detour around the west side of the Santa Rita mountains. The route is as follows: Salero Ranch Road, Bull Springs 4x4 road, the Elephant Head Mountain bike route (the whole thing), Madera Canyon road, and Box Canyon road. This section is mostly dirt road, with the exception of technical singletrack on the Elephant Head Mountain Bike Route.
Where the Arizona Trail crosses Box Canyon road the race rejoins it, and continues on it to Oak Tree Canyon. At Oak Tree canyon there is about 3 miles of freshly constructed singletrack over to Rosemont Junction Road, allowing for less time on the highway.
At the Lakes Road The race will follow brand spanking new Arizona Trail as it descends to cross under I-10 near Davidson Canyon. New trail continues into Colossal Cave Mountain Park. Then it's on to 8 miles of fast and smooth singletrack through the Rincon Valley.
The race then hits pavement on Old Spanish Trail to detour around Saguaro National Park (wilderness). It passes through the east side of Tucson, where grocery stores, restaurants and even bike shops provide opportunity to refuel and repair. Tucson is the halfway point on the route, at roughly 150 miles.
Out of Tucson, the race climbs the dirt Redington Road to the "side door", then on connecting 4x4 roads to the AZT coming out of the Rincon Mountains. Follow beautiful high desert singletrack on the Bellota and Molino trails, crossing the Catalina Highway and continuing to climb to Prison Camp.
At Prison Camp, the route begins a 3000 foot paved climb to Summerhaven. At Summerhaven follow the Oracle Ridge Trail (hike-a-bike shoes on standby), Cody Trail, followed by more AZT through Oracle State Park to Highway 77. After a brief stint on Tiger Mine Rd, the Antelope Peak section of the AZT begins. After countless up and downhill switchbacks, the AZT blasts down a long stretch of gasline road, before turning down the sandy Bloodsucker Wash. More singletrack begins around the shoulder of Antelope Peak. This is a very remote stretch of Sonoran desert.
The AZT continues through the Boulders segment. Stunning desert scenery and quality switchbacks are the hallmarks of these trails. After the Boulders segment ends, the route follows forgotten dirt and ATV trails on a rip-roaring descent to the Gila River. Crossing the river at the diversion dam, the route climbs through the rhyolite formations of Box Canyon. Finally, a brutal climb connects to the Alamo Canyon section of the AZT. New for 2009, the route follows some 7.5 miles of new singletrack constructed to high standard. The finish line is the hiker sign pictured below, at the Picketpost Trailhead.
Superior, AZ is 4 miles east on US 60. Food, motel, etc can be found there.
