Updated:

Meeting Time / Place: Monday, 8am - Conoco station at Ft. McDowell Road and SR87 north of Mesa and east of Phoenix. This is your last chance for fuel, and I'm recommending everyone carry at least 10 gallons of extra gas to get you through the first 3 days of riding.

We will utilize a single base camp this year for the first time ever. It's on USFS land and I've already confirmed that we don't need special permits provided our group size is under 75. We're also looking into bringing in some J-johns to minimize the environmental impact on the area where we camp, and to make it safe to walk through the trees.

Day 1: Tonto Foothills Trail. (FR#'s to be posted later) We'll hit base camp first thing in the morning and split into 2 groups. One group leaves to run the trail, and the other stays behind to set up camp. Once group 2 has camp set up, they'll leave for the trail. Group 1 will set up their camp upon the return. This trail is not difficult, but is extremely scenic. 2.5 rating.

Trail Leaders: Desert Rat and Stone

NOTE: If someone wants something truly hardcore on Day 1, we *might* find a trail leader to take a group on Mud Springs. (4.0-4.5)

Day 2 and Day 3: Log Corral / Payette Draw. Both trails are advanced. The group will be split into two, and each group will run the two trails on opposite days. The Payette trail will take riders through Payson where we can resupply, refuel, and possibly get a shower. Payette has bypasses so we can take pretty much everyone through there. Log Corral has a difficult entrance that currently requires 2 lockers, or a single locker and a winch to get through....the rest of the trail isn't that bad. Depending on what we have showing up for the trail runs, anyone not able/wanting to take this can run Payette twice or possibly another alternate trail. Log Corral is a 4.0 because of the first 1/2 mile. The rest of the trail is 2.5. Payette is 2.5-5.0, depending on lines taken.

Payette Trail Leaders: Datz510 and TF&J
Log Corral Trail Leaders: Desert Rat and Dennis

Day 4: Rocker Panel Pass - rated 3.5-4.0. An easier option will be available this day - Mt. Ord. I'll need a trail leader for that. We will be prerunning this trail soon and I'll post up with my thouhgts on modifications required to do this trail. Again, we'll split into 2 groups - an early group and a late group to avoid traffic jams.

Trail Leaders: Dennis and Desert Rat

Day 5: Sunflower Mine Trail. Again, 2 groups - an early group and a late group. Everyone back to camp for the St. Patricks Day Corned Beef feast and cabbage punting contest. Trail rated 3.0.

Trail Leaders: Desert Rat and Datz510


Day 6: Break Camp, those wanting to still wheel can take a side trip to the Saguaro lake coves on the way back to town. Rating 2.0-4.5 depending on routes.

All trails are located within about 20 miles of each other along SR87, with the exception of Payette Draw, which is about 35 miles north. For the first 3 days, we'll need to have additional gas - probably 10 gallons. It can be stashed at camp along with the bulk of your gear, so we can run EMPTY!! Days 5 and 6 should be able to be run on a single fillup from Payson on Day 4. We will have someone at camp full time to watch our stuff. For anyone leaving items at camp, a donation is requested ($20/person) to our camp guard who has to miss out on all the wheeling to make sure our stuff is there when we get back.

This could be the most scenic AZ run ever, combined with challenging trails (3.5-4.0 rated). Bring your cameras. Terrain will range from Sonoran desert, riddled with Saguaro, Cholla, Ocotillo, and Palo Verde Trees, to the middle mountains covered in scrub pine, cedar, manzanita, and prickly pear, to the Arizona Ponderosa Pine high country. Be prepared for all levels of weather, as our run will range from 2000-6000 feet in elevation, and March weather can be unpredictable.

Alternate runs will be mapped out should weather disrupt any of the runs (particularly Payette - it can snow up there).

I'm locking this topic and will start another thread for comments.

OTHER THINGS TO BRING

This list is by no means complete, but it's everything that comes to mind as I type this up.

Truck Stuff:

Minimum 10 gallons extra fuel. We'll be running the first 3 days without a gas station in sight.

All the spare parts you can muster....tierods, hubs, centerlinks, U-joints, a tire plug kit, and anything else you think you may or may not break.

A full size spare tire, jack, and tools. I highlift is better, as long as your bumpers or sliders are up to the task.

CB Radio - MANDATORY. We'll be on channel 17 "Swankynet".

Extra fluids, gear oil, engine oil, water, PS and brake fluid, etc. You just never know.

A portable air souce is recommended.

Front and rear recovery points MANDATORY.

Good condition straps and shackle rings for recovery.

Bring tools, duct tape, bailing wire - whatever is needed to fix anything.

Trucks need to be in solid mechanical condition. If there's something that's been needing fixing, do it BEFORE the run so we can minimize trail breakage. I can't emphasize this enough!



People Stuff:

Clothing for extremes - 20-100 degrees. It's the desert...it's hard to predict the weather. Nights can be very cold, and there's a slim chance of it being wet - just ask participants of AZ Run III.

A warm sleeping bag and tent

Food and beverage for 5 days straight trail riding. Also provisions to prepare that food.

Minimum 5 gallons of water

Flashlights and extra batteries

Camera / Camcorder

Sunscreen. SPF15 or higher. You will roast.

A poncho or something to lay on wet ground with if needed.

Camp chairs, tables, and any other accessories you enjoy camping with.

Trash bags so you can pack out what you pack in.

First Aid kit - well equipped with Aspirin, Ibuprophen, etc. and Benadryl if you have allergies - the dust will bother you. Also anything for bee stings, particularly if you're allergic.

Baby wipes, towells, toothbrush, toilet paper, etc...whatever you think you need to feel clean and comfortable for 5 days in the desert with no facilities

A positive attitude. Whiners will be told to go home.

SWANKy puts a lot of effort into these runs so all participants can enjoy the Arizona outdoors. This includes a lot of things at our own expense. We do this for the participants. Anyone who acts like a jerk, can't drive, litters, or is a general nuisance will at the very least be booted from the run and from the camp. The single campsite is a new concept for AZ Runs this year, and we're hoping it works out well. We will be in somewhat close quarters, however, and we ask that you all respect your neighbors when camping and dull the noise at reasonable hours. Trail rides leave as early as 8am some mornings (TBA).



Miscellaneous

Spotting: ONE Spotter of the driver's choice. Everyone else can help watch, but don't be shouting at the driver - drivers need to focus on one spotter. I remind everyone of this each year we have the run, and expect to be reminded on the trail as well.

Also, when in line on the trails, do your best to keep up with the group. The general rule is to keep the truck in front and the truck behind you in sight at all times. If you lose them, shout out. That's what the CB's are for. We will have plenty of stops on the trails, which might make some guys who just like to haul ass through every trail crazy. The rest of us are on VACATION and we'll be setting the pace accordingly. The Log Corral trail will be a bit different - we'll be pushing on that trail due to its length, but there will still be opportunities to gawk, take pictures, BS, etc.

Drinking on the trail: Applicable Arizona laws are in effect on all roads and highways. DUI's can be charged at BAC's of 0.08 and higher. I'm not your daddy and won't tell you what to do, but be smart, be moderate, and most importantly, be safe. If someone acts stupid or gets out of control, they're booted.

There is no liability assumed by the organizers of this run, and, as such, there are no entrance fees, etc. We will require registration and details on you and your vehicle so we can assess your readiness for this run. Otherwise, you are on your own, and you're responsible for your own recovery should the worst happen to you and your vehicle. The group will help as much as we can within reason, but if it goes beyond that, you're on your own.

For those coming in from out of town, please PM me and we'll look for arrangements for a place to stay nights before and after the run, etc.

All vehicles need to be street legal in Arizona, registered, and insured. We'll be logging a few highway miles, and you need to be road worthy and able. There is not room for tow rigs at camp. If you can't drive it on the run, don't bring it.

With the common camp for the whole run, the camp scene will be AWESOME. We'll have firewood and a nice fire pit, provided there are no fire restrictions. If restrictions are in place, we deal with it. Arizona is a dry place. Use extreme caution with cigarettes, campfires, stoves, lanterns, etc. You don't want to be the guy that burns down the next 100,000 acres of Arizona.

Kids: This run is moderately family friendly, but if bringing kids, expect them to be exposed to foul language, adult conversation, and some camp drinking, etc. Very small children are definitely not recommended, but use your own best judgment.

When the registration page is up, register early, as I'll likely cap the participation at around 30 trucks. With the magazine coverage we had in 2006, we may get more participants. I make no promises for any coverage like we had last year...that was kind of a last minute deal. If that's the reason you're coming, you're coming for the wrong reasons. If all you want to do is see your truck in a magazine, stay home.

It's gonna be another great run.