Dixie 200
The Dixie 200 combines the best of the Dixie Lite and Dixie 311 routes. The route strikes a balance between singletrack, resupply opportunities, remoteness, and views. Stamina will be tested right off the line climbing onto the Markagunt Plateau to begin the Virgin River Rim trail. Resolve will be tested in the remote regions of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.
View the map in fullscreen mode
The group start is 7AM June 22 at the intersection of 2nd Lefthand Canyon and Hwy 143 4 miles south of Parowan, Utah.
Note: This is an hour earlier than last year due to popular request.
Last year's route was a big hit - no changes for 2013. See the bikepacking.net Dixie thread for rider pics and reports.
The official route files are here in a zip file.
Individual files:
Full route GPX full resolution, 30,600 points (2.6 MB)
Full route GPX for newer GPS units, 10,000 points (860 KB)
Full route GPX for older GPS units, 20 tracks x 500 points each (864 KB)
Waypoints GPX (15.1 KB)
View the route including waypoints here: Dixie 200 Map
There will be a 60 minute time bonus granted to anyone that reaches the Pink Cliffs waypoint. It's off-route but should take less than 30 minutes for this out and back spectacular overlook.
Live tracking for the event will be at http://trackleaders.com/dixie200. Stay tuned for info on how to get on the tracker...
Ask any questions in the bikepacking.net Dixie thread.
Bring your climbing legs!
*** The start location has been changed due to limited access to Woods Ranch while Hwy 14 is rebuilt ***
The group start is 8AM June 23 at the intersection of 2nd Lefthand Canyon and Hwy 143 4 miles south of Parowan, Utah.
Note: Utah is under stage 1 fire restrictions. This means no campfires or smoking on public lands. More...
Route recon is complete and the course is in great shape. It's been a dry spring, plan for some sandy sections. There is plenty of water available, here is a summary of water resources. Longest distance between reliable sources is ~ 37 miles. Expect that section to take at least 5 hours.
The official route files are here in a zip file.
Individual files:
Full route GPX full resolution, 30,600 points (2.6 MB)
Full route GPX for newer GPS units, 10,000 points (860 KB)
Full route GPX for older GPS units, 20 tracks x 500 points each (864 KB)
Waypoints GPX (15.1 KB)
View the route including waypoints here: Dixie 200 Map
There will be a 60 minute time bonus granted to anyone that reaches the Pink Cliffs waypoint. It's off-route but should take less than 30 minutes for this out and back spectacular overlook.
Live tracking for the event will be at http://trackleaders.com/dixie200. To be included in the tracker edit this spreadsheet with your SPOT public sharepage URL and first/last name. Other fields are optional and will also show up on the tracker.
Check out Lynda's take on last weekend's scouting mission on the 2-epic blog. Ask any questions either on that blog post or in the bikepacking.net Dixie thread.
Bring your climbing legs!
The first year for the event was 2011. Due to record snowpack the previous winter, the planned sections of the route on the Markagunt plateau were removed. The Virgin River Rim trail was still burried in snow and downed trees. In place of the missing sections, the course was routed on parts of the Trans Utah route.
The full set of files for the Dixie in 2011 are here.
Download the files individualy.
10,000 point route GPX
500 points x 20 track file
Waypoint GPX file
Waypoints + route in KML (Google Earth) format
Click here for a listing of the waypoint descriptions.
The out and back section from Pine Lake to Powell Point is optional, and doing so (and sending me a picture from the point) will net a 10 hour time bonus. The snow models show the area as free of snow but it does go to 10,200'. Expect some spotty snow and wet ground conditions on the top of the plateau should you decide to go. Another challenge to consider is going to powell point may put you in Tropic after dark when services are not available. If you do go, you will be rewarded with a great alpine climb and the best views in southern Utah. There is even a bit of singletrack out to the point.
The route will travel relatively fast until you leave Skutumpah road in the south (as you near the Grandview Trail). The Grandview sections are remote and slow going - but there is great trail and unmatched views. Plan for more food than you think you'll need, and pay close attention to your water supply. Grandview to Tropic Resiorvor is the crux of the route.
Water is plentiful. The best spots I know of are on the map above, and in the waypoint file - but there is much more water than described in those places.
