Date: April 25th

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This site is being used to coordinate a multi-day mountain biking and fishing trip along the Mogollon Rim. We will be mountain biking between three fishing lakes in central Arizona and will be spending time camping and fishing at each lake.  

 

We will be bikepacking the whole way (meaning all of your camping/fishing gear, food, water, etc… will need to be carried by you and your mountain bike). For more information about bikepacking, these sites have some good information:

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https://bikepacking.com/bikepacking-101/

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https://exploringwild.com/budget-bikepacking-gear/

 

Each lake along the planned route is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and we are planning on being able to fish a lake for a while each day. Plan on packing (and mountain biking with) a fishing rod and other fishing gear to catch trout with (and don't forget to get a fishing license). Everyone joining will need to bring a capable mountain bike and enough food and supplies for 4 days of primitive camping. Everyone will need to be self-sufficient!

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The maximum difficulty for this trip calls for being in good enough physical shape to mountain bike a distance of around 16 miles with ~700 feet of elevation gain. Anyone joining will need to be able to complete this type of mountain bike ride with the added weight of their gear.

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Here are a few links to the routes planned for each day of the trip:

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https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31699196

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https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31699201

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https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31699203

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And here is a rough itinerary for the trip:

 

Day 1

• Morning ~4 hour drive from Tucson to Willow Springs Lake

• Spend the day hanging out, fishing, camping and checking gear for the trail

• Spend the night at Fr 171 Campground (free, dispersed primitive camping)

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Day2

• Breakfast, pack up camp and bike to Woods Canyon Lake

• ~11 miles from Willow Springs Lake to Woods Canyon Lake (+350ft elevation gain)

• Spend the rest of the day hanging out, fishing and camping

• Spend night at Spillway Campground ($28 camp fee for every 8 people)

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Day 3

• Breakfast, pack up camp and bike to Bear Canyon Lake

• ~12 miles from Woods Canyon Lake to Bear Canyon Lake (+750ft elevation gain)

• Spend the rest of the day fishing and camping and hanging out

• Spend night at nearby campground (free, dispersed primitive camping)

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Day 4

• Breakfast, pack up camp and bike back to Willow Springs Lake

• ~16 miles from Bear Canyon Lake to Willow Spring Lake (+500ft elevation gain)

• Pack up gear and drive back to Tucson

 

There are some mandatory items that you must bring on this trip. This equipment is vital to ensure safety and self-sufficiency. Plan on bringing the following items.

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REQUIRED equipment:

• Capable Mountain Bike

• Helmet

• Spare tubes and/or other equipment to fix flat tires and maintain your mountain bike

• Water filtration system

• Food and water

 

Other recommended gear:

• 1-2 person backpacking tent

• Ultralight sleeping pad/mattress

• Sleeping bag

• Change of clothes

• Light jacket

• Anything else that you like to have camping that is light enough to carry

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Tried and True Ideas for bikepacking meals:

• Jerky

• Trail Mix

• Granola Bars

• Cookies/Crackers

• Bagels

• Pro Bars (or other meal-replacement bars)

• Freeze-dried Meals such as Mountain House meals. This usually requires a method of boiling water (something like this).

• Basically anything that doesn’t weigh much and doesn’t require refrigeration

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Please keep in mind that whatever you bring will have to be carried with you as we mountain bike from lake to lake. Try to pack light.

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Hope you can make it!

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