New map of Gorman Ranch Road = reroute of 2011 Tevis Cup

Dear Tevis Colleagues:

          This new map shows the reroute for the 2011 Tevis Cup.  The historic Gorman Ranch Road will now be utilized.  There is 1800 feet of vertical relief to descend, then turn-around and ascend back to Chickenhawk.  So study the map and the photographs carefully.

         Respectfully submitted, Robert H. Sydnor, AERC Trail Master and Tevis Trail Crew member

Gorman Ranch Road 2011 Tevis Cup Route by Robert H. Sydnor, AERC Trail Master & Tevis Trail Committee October 8, 2011
From the Chickenhawk Vet-check, ride southeast down the dirt logging road to the Gorman Ranch Road. Turn right (=south) and proceed downhill along the historic Gorman Ranch Road. For about one mile the road descends gently, then for 2miles, the road is quite steep. The turn-around location is at the paved Mosquito Ridge Road. There will be a rider-number checkpoint at the turn-around point.
Study the topographic map carefully, then review the field photographs that were taken along the Gorman Ranch Road.

Field photographs of the historic Gorman Ranch Road, Placer County At left:

At right: the Gorman Ranch Road descends steeply 1,800 feet with several long switchbacks. This county road is sometimes muddy and rocky, and is one-lane width.

At left
There is a gravel parking lot (perhaps ten cars) on the south side of Mosquito Ridge Road (in the middle distance). There is minimal parking (perhaps two vehicles) on the north side, which will be used by Tevis officials.
Another view of the Turn-Around location.

, blue lupine along the rocky road.   At right, the junction of the Gorman Ranch Road with the paved Mosquito Ranch Road. This is a blind corner, with fast traffic on Mosquito Ranch Road not able to see you in either direction. Tevis officials will have traffic flagmen for safety, and rider numbers will be taken. Near the historic Gorman Ranch, the road descends gently. It is full-width with a nice gravel surface.

Chickenhawk Vet-Check Station = important *new* station for the rerouted Tevis Cup

From: Robert H. Sydnor <rhsydnor@gmail.com>
Subject: Chickenhawk Vet-Check Station = important *new* station for the rerouted Tevis Cup

Dear Tevis Colleagues:

 

       The Chickenhawk Vet-Check Station has taken on a new importance in light of the decision (on Thursday afternoon, October 6 by the WSTF Board of Governors) to reroute the 2011 Tevis Cup.

 

             These 8 field photographs (posted onto GoogleEarth) will be of particular relevance for riders who will now will pass  twice through Chickenhawk for vet-checks and rest periods.

 

http://www.panoramio.com/user/1521778/tags/Chickenhawk%20Vet-Check%20Station%3B%20Western%20States%20Trail%3B%20near%20Michigan%20Bluff%3B%20Placer%20County%3B%20CA

 

    The Chickenhawk station is under the supervision of Erin Klentos and Paul Klentos, both veteran Tevis finishers and long-time AERC ride managers.  You will be in good hands here.... veteran ride managers, and long-time Tevis officials.

 

       The purpose of the photographs is to simply remove any mystery of the precise location of Chickenhawk (roughly two miles west of Michigan Bluff).  It is not shown on the offical Tevis maps (page 8 of 11), so there could be some confusion.  Those Tevis riders who partipated in the July 2011 Educational Ride will have a huge advantage because this was a vet-check and rest-stop.

 

       Note that there is no cell-phone coverage at Chickenhawk.   (We ascertained this at the July 2011 Tevis Educational Ride.)  So we will have to depend on our Ham Radio operators to get messages in and out of Chickenhawk.

 

      Because the access road, Chickenhawk Road, is very narrow with no turnouts, there are no crew members allowed here.  It would create grid-lock, and emergency vehicles could not pass.  Horses that might need medical attention would not be able to be trailered-out.

 

         So:  do not come to Chickenhawk and cause grid-lock.  Instead, crews should remain at the Foresthill Millsite where there is lots of space ... and only five miles away at Foresthill.

 

            Respectfully submitted, Robert H. Sydnor

Thursday Evening Weather in Auburn: Clear skies tonight with a bright moon (we rode by moonlight in Cool this evening - very lovely) and in the mid-40s at 8:30 pm. Should be warmer still by Friday/Saturday nights.

More details on the trail

Nothing here is finalized and/or official yet:

Vet Checks:
Lower Quarry - morning: trot by, second time - gate and go
Franciscos: Gate and Go both times
Foresthill: One hour hold both times
Chicken Hawk: probably only one vet check in the afternoon and it would be
the same, a Gate and Go.  Morning would be just a water stop. 

Michigan Bluff: possible water stop twice

RIDE CHANGES

Due to the snow in the high country, we cannot have the traditional start at Robie Park.  The ride is not cancelled.

But, it is starting in Auburn at the Overlook at 6:30 am on Saturday. Course is backwards to Chicken Hawk, then down Gorman Ranch Rd to Mosquito Ridge Rd., turn around and head back to Auburn. Banquet on Sunday as always.

Volunteers who are above Michigan Bluff, we may need help at the other checkpoints. Foresthill will have two one hour holds, Chicken Hawk will have a trot-by on the way back to Auburn. Franciscos will have two vet checks, as well as Lower Quarry.

We have the best volunteers in the country!

Thanks guys,

Judy Suter

Start Location has been CHANGED

NEW START TIME AND LOCATION:  #TEVIS 11  Due to snow in the high country the 2011 Tevis Cup start has been moved to 6:30am at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn on Saturday 10/8. Rider Check-In begins at noon at the Fairgrounds on Friday 10/7. More details coming soon.  http://www.teviscup.org/

Current Conditions at Robie

Official Announcent:  Due to the current conditions going into Robie Equestrian Park, it is highly recommended that all rigs wait until Friday 10/7/11 to go into the park. There is currently 5" of snow on the ground and the road will be plowed sometime on Thursday. We would like to emphasize that trying to enter the park on Thursday could create more difficulties as vehicles may end up blocking the roads while we are trying to work on them. Please wait until Friday to take trailers into Robie Equestrian Park. #Tevis11