This upcoming Sunday, November 10 will be the first of three training runs along the Black Canyon Trail. We will be breaking up the course for the inaugural BCT 100K race to be held February 15, 2014 into three sections on November 10, December 1 and January 19.
Here is information for those of you wanting to join on this first training run:
Date: Sunday, November 10, 2014.
Time: 7:00am Meet at Bumble Bee or 7:30am Meet at Mayer High School.
Directions to Bumble Bee (end of run, park here to carpool to run start):
1. Drive north from Phoenix on the I-17 Freeway
2. Take exit #248 towards Bumble Bee / Crown King
3. Turn left and drive 2.1 miles on pavement (road descends downhill)
4. Turn right at the bottom where it turns to dirt and take Crown King Road for 2.9 miles to a small dirt parking lot on the left side of the road. If you cross a bridge over Bumble Bee Creek you have gone too far.
Directions to Mayer High School from Bumble Bee (we will carpool as a group):
1. Drive north on Crown King Road for 5.6 miles
2. Turn right onto Forest Road 259 and go 1.3 miles
3. Turn right staying on Forest Road 259 and go 2.8 miles
4. Continue straight onto Antelope Creek Road at town of Cordes and go 2.8 miles
5. Take right onto Duffers Drive and then go 1.3 miles
6. Turn left onto Spring Lane and go 0.6 miles through the town of Spring Valley
7. Turn right onto Mule Deer and the high school will be straight ahead
Format: This is a no fee, limited aid, limited course marking training run. You must plan to be self sufficient in terms of navigation, personal safety and aid between stations. Aid is not guaranteed to be there for all runners, so plan accordingly and do not assume aid will be there for you. Please study the maps on this post, utilize the posted GPS files and follow signage for the Black Canyon Trail.
Distance: The first 18.3 miles of the Black Canyon Trail 100K course. This will be a point to point training run so car shuttles will be necessary.
Shuttle: We will meet at the end of the run (Bumble Bee, AZ) about 1/4 mile south of the bridge over Bumble Bee Creek. Park here by 7AM and we will carpool in as few vehicles as possible up to Mayer High School. We will plan to start running from Mayer High School at 7:30AM.
Aid: We will have at least one vehicle providing aid at approximately mile 7.4 and 12.4, but depending on how spread out runners are, you may or may not receive aid at one or both. Treat it as a bonus, but not guaranteed.
Markings: The course on principle will be unmarked. There is signage for the Black Canyon Trail at most questionable junctions, but we recommend studying and printing maps to bring with you. The front runners may carry a roll of orange ribbon to hang at some junctions, but do not expect or count on this.
Cost: Free. If you want to bring a snack to share at the finish and camp chair to hang out post-run please do so.
Printable Maps (Large PDF Files): Part 1 | Part 2
Elevation Profile: 
Contact: Questions? Email Jamil at jamil@aravaiparunning.com or call 602-361-7440
RSVP: On Facebook group or email Jamil
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/752292708129777/