Arizona Monster 300 dropbag information

 

ARIZONA MONSTER 300 - DROPBAG INFORMATION CARDS

START LINE (Superior)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 3 Phunbars
  • 2 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumbles
  • 8 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Electrolytes
  • Minimum 2L water capacity

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 45.4 miles to Grand Enchantment (first dropbag/sleep)
  • +5,403 ft gain/-7,321 ft loss
  • First mile: Careful navigation through intersecting trails
  • AZT section: Check FarOut for stream conditions
  • Whitford Canyon cattle tank ~10-12 miles from Picket Post (filter required)

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Start conservative - this is a 304-mile journey
  • First night will be spent on trail - have night gear ready
  • Use FarOut to verify Whitford Canyon water status

GRAND ENCHANTMENT (Mile 45.4)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 3 Phunbars
  • 2 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumbles
  • 8 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Sleep gear (this is a sleep station)
  • Warm layer for night
  • Electrolytes
  • Fresh socks

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 29.6 miles to Freeman (next dropbag/sleep)
  • +5,325 ft gain/-3,109 ft loss
  • First mile on road, then right turn across pedestrian bridge
  • Hard right after bridge to find AZT
  • Water tank ~2 miles before Tortilla AS (check FarOut for status)
  • Mix of rocky terrain and smooth sections

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Carry 3-4L water - significant climbing ahead
  • Known rattlesnake territory - be vigilant
  • You've just passed the "Elephant Graveyard" section with many cow trails
  • Refill ALL water before leaving
  • Full AZT section - navigation straightforward after initial turns

TORTILLA (Mile 58.6)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • No drop bags at this aid station
  • Refill water completely - no water sources ahead
  • Refill nutrition from aid station supplies

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 16.4 miles to Freeman (next dropbag/sleep)
  • +1,594 ft gain/-875 ft loss
  • Well-maintained Arizona Trail section
  • Exceptionally smooth single-track in many areas
  • No water sources, completely exposed to sun
  • Several AZT junctions requiring navigation attention

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Take PLENTY of water from aid station (very exposed, no shade)
  • Watch for AZT junction markers to stay on course
  • This section follows the Arizona Trail the entire way

FREEMAN (Mile 75)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 3 Phunbars
  • 2 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumbles
  • 8 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Sleep gear (this is a sleep station)
  • Fresh socks/foot care
  • Electrolytes

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 30.3 miles to Tiger Mine (next dropbag/sleep)
  • +5,580 ft gain/-5,525 ft loss
  • Rolling terrain with several short, steep climbs
  • Bumblebee area has water ~8-9 miles in (reliability varies)
  • Multiple cattle gates - always close behind you

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Gate confusion possible - use GPX track at all intersections
  • Check FarOut for Bumblebee water status
  • Watch for cow-disturbed course markers

TIGER MINE (Mile 105.3)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 1 Phunbar
  • 1 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumble
  • 3 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Sleep gear (this is a sleep station)
  • Tweezers for cholla cactus spines
  • Headlamp batteries

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 9 miles to Oracle (next dropbag)
  • +1,306 ft gain/-948 ft loss
  • First pacer pickup location
  • 1 mile road walk to Hwy 77 tunnel, then right through gate
  • Left turn through tunnel under highway
  • Relatively runnable terrain to Oracle with few rocks, no deep sand, rolling hills

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • PACERS MAY JOIN HERE
  • Short section to Oracle - assess your condition before sleeping
  • No reliable water between here and Oracle
  • Mile 105.3 - approximately 1/3 complete

ORACLE (Mile 114.3)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 2 Phunbars
  • 2 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumbles
  • 6 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Extra warm layers for Mt. Lemmon
  • Hat/gloves/jacket for high elevation
  • Strongest trail shoes for massive climb
  • Electrolytes
  • Headlamp batteries

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 14.2 miles to Mt Lemmon (next dropbag/sleep)
  • +5,999 ft gain/-2,650 ft loss
  • BIGGEST CLIMB OF COURSE - 6,000 ft elevation gain (with 2,600 ft of intermittent descending)
  • Climbing begins immediately to Oracle Ridge
  • Water trough at mile 4 (requires filtering)
  • Rocky footing especially in later portion
  • Thorny bushes near the top - poles helpful

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Carry 4L water + filter for water trough
  • Pace yourself through this massive climb
  • Similar to Lewis River-Quartz Ridge at Bigfoot 200
  • Layer management critical as you gain elevation
  • This is the crux of the course - be mentally prepared

MT LEMMON (Mile 128.5)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 3 Phunbars
  • 2 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumbles
  • 7 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Sleep gear (this is a sleep station)
  • Warm clothes
  • Trekking poles for descent
  • Extra forefoot cushioned shoes (if available)
  • Foot care supplies

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 29.6 miles to Catalina (next dropbag)
  • +2,093 ft gain/-7,233 ft loss
  • Massive 6,000+ ft descent ahead
  • Short road walk at start before turning onto singletrack
  • Quick descent down Red Ridge
  • Multiple stream crossings starting ~4 miles in, crossing ~8 times over 3.5 miles
  • Jeep road after last stream crossing - rugged "road"
  • Climb over ridge before final descent to town

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Use trekking poles for the huge descent
  • Controlled pace on downhill to preserve quads
  • Expect light marking - not many places to go wrong
  • Temperature will increase 20-30°F as you descend
  • You've completed the hardest climb - major milestone
  • Mile 128.5 - approaching halfway point

CATALINA (Mile 158.1)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 2 Phunbars
  • 1 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumble
  • 5 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Road/hybrid shoes for urban Tucson sections
  • Cash for restaurants/stores (special privileges here!)
  • Fresh shirt/appearance items for urban areas
  • Sunscreen

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 18.3 miles to Rillito (next dropbag/sleep)
  • +587 ft gain/-899 ft loss
  • Transition to urban trails/Loop Path
  • Multiple water fountains and restrooms available
  • Mostly flat, paved surfaces

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • SPECIAL PRIVILEGES: You may visit hotels, restaurants, stores
  • Road shoes recommended for urban sections
  • Check Loop Path map for water/restroom locations
  • Urban navigation may require more attention to course markings
  • Mile 158.1 - over halfway complete!

RILLITO (Mile 176.4)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 4 Phunbars
  • 3 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumbles
  • 10 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Sleep gear (this is a sleep station)
  • Road running gear
  • Extra electrolytes for urban heat
  • Cash for restaurants/stores
  • Foot care supplies

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 36.55 miles to Pistol Hill (next dropbag)
  • +2,224 ft gain/-1,011 ft loss
  • LONGEST STRETCH BETWEEN DROPBAGS
  • Urban Tucson Loop Path - water fountains available
  • Good opportunity for efficient flat-terrain progress

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • SPECIAL PRIVILEGES: You may visit hotels, restaurants, stores
  • Check Loop Path map - plan water/restroom stops
  • Carry extra nutrition for long stretch to Pistol Hill
  • Reference Loop Path map for navigation
  • 36.55 miles is your longest gap between dropbags
  • Mile 176.4 - about 58% complete

PISTOL HILL (Mile 212.9)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 1 Phunbar
  • 1 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumble
  • 3 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Consider trail shoes if switching from road shoes
  • Headlamp batteries

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 9.9 miles to Gabe Zimmerman (next dropbag/sleep)
  • +1,107 ft gain/-1,230 ft loss
  • One decent climb of ~1000 ft halfway through
  • Beautiful cactus and flower displays
  • Pristine trail conditions
  • No shade, no water until stream at highway underpass near end
  • Some deeper sand in wash under the bridge

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Short section to next aid/sleep station
  • Beginning transition from urban back to trail
  • Trail is in excellent condition - very runnable
  • Mile 212.9 - about 70% complete

GABE ZIMMERMAN (Mile 222.9)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 3 Phunbars
  • 2 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumbles
  • 8 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Sleep gear (this is a sleep station)
  • Trail running gear for mountains ahead
  • Warm layer for night
  • First aid supplies

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 28.35 miles to Oak Tree (next dropbag/sleep)
  • +4,361 ft gain/-2,659 ft loss
  • Nice trails with rolling hills
  • Tunnels under both I-10 and Highway 83
  • Mostly smooth trails with few short rocky sections
  • Runnable if legs permit
  • No water sources

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • 28.35 miles to next dropbag - significant distance
  • Smooth, pleasant section ahead if you have the legs for it
  • You're entering the final third of the race
  • Ensure adequate calories for upcoming sections
  • Mile 222.9 - about 73% complete

OAK TREE (Mile 251.2)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 2 Phunbars
  • 1 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumble
  • 5 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Sleep gear (this is a sleep station)
  • Fresh socks
  • Foot care supplies
  • Warm layer for mountains

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 15.4 miles to Apache Springs (next dropbag)
  • +2,211 ft gain/-2,119 ft loss
  • Continuing through Santa Rita Mountains
  • Technical trail sections
  • Check FarOut for trail conditions

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Only ~53 miles remaining to finish
  • Mountain terrain remains challenging
  • Check FarOut for water sources in Santa Ritas
  • Mile 251.2 - about 82% complete

APACHE SPRINGS (Mile 266.6)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 2 Phunbars
  • 2 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumbles
  • 7 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Fresh batteries
  • Any blister supplies needed
  • Sunscreen

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 21.5 miles to Casa Blanca (next dropbag/sleep)
  • +2,673 ft gain/-3,625 ft loss
  • Last significant climbs of the course
  • Extended mountain section before final descent
  • Check FarOut for water sources

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Carry 3-4L water for this long section
  • Final significant mountain terrain
  • Use FarOut to verify water sources
  • Mile 266.6 - about 88% complete

CASA BLANCA (Mile 288.1)

DROPBAG CONTENTS:

  • 2 Phunbars
  • 2 Nature Bakery Oatmeal Crumbles
  • 6 Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
  • Sleep gear (emergency only)
  • Favorite motivational items for final push
  • Fresh headlamp batteries

AHEAD OF YOU:

  • 16.24 miles to FINISH
  • +2,074 ft gain/-2,313 ft loss
  • Final push still has significant vert
  • Rolling terrain through oak woodlands and grasslands

CRITICAL REMINDERS:

  • Don't underestimate final section - still has 2,000+ ft climbing
  • Break final section into 4-mile chunks mentally
  • You're almost there - just one more section!
  • Mile 288.1 - 95% complete

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