Re: Willow Springs, AZ Trail Run Tomorrow 9:30 AM 2/23/08
Looks like a great trip Sean, very pretty area.
__________________ "Because in the end it has almost nothing to do with the bike and everything to do with setting
out to accomplish something that is intimidating, that is unknown to you, something you know you
have a good chance of failing at but doing it anyways and slowly but surely proving yourself wrong." Mike Ambs
www.corva.org "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
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Re: Willow Springs, AZ Trail Run Tomorrow 9:30 AM 2/23/08
Quote:
Sean K. previously said:
Would you prefer to do Willow Springs Sunday instead of Martinez?
Up to you....you're the guest.
Sean
How do the 2 compare difficulty and scenic wise?
The one thing that makes me want to do Martinez more then others is that it is being shut down and I wouldn't want to wast an opportunity to do it and not be able to do it at a latter time. But I will leave it up to you, your the expert in the area. I think I would like both of them though.
__________________ "Because in the end it has almost nothing to do with the bike and everything to do with setting
out to accomplish something that is intimidating, that is unknown to you, something you know you
have a good chance of failing at but doing it anyways and slowly but surely proving yourself wrong." Mike Ambs
www.corva.org "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
Re: Willow Springs, AZ Trail Run Tomorrow 9:30 AM 2/23/08
Well, I don't know about either to be honest.....I think they are both high on the closure list. Willow Springs is already locked and gated....you have to have a permit to access the trail. However, it's free and I can add up to 4 more people to my permit. Therein lies the biggest problem.....especially if the group gets big.
As for scenery.....it's kinda a toss up. The canyon itself is pretty in Willow Springs. The top of the mountain views from Martinez are better (you never reach the top of a mountain in WS).
Difficulty.....Willow Springs is harder the further you go in....but it's much easier to go a much greater distance because the beginning of the trail is REALLY easy....like a sandy wash with a few hills sprinkled in.
The wheeling is probably a little better at Willow Springs due to the fact that it has the mini-Moab play area as well as several boulder fields and obstacles. There's less chance of a mandatory obstacle causing body damage like the Luge Bypass may on Martinez (did I mention everyone needs to bring a shovel and pick....I have a mini pick, but no room for anything bigger). There are, however, MANY optional obstacles on Willow Springs that could lead to damage.
WS is also much closer to town and could be easily run without being a great distance from pavement. By contrast, Martinez is 17 miles from the highway and will take 45 minutes to get to the trail head.
I still vote Martinez though.....just b/c of the permit issue. Besides, once you've been out here, I'm sure you'll be headed back at some later date and you can hit whichever one you don't next time.
Sean
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Re: Willow Springs, AZ Trail Run Tomorrow 9:30 AM 2/23/08
Sean I am in for either. If you do decide to do Willow Springs, I am requesting a spot on your permit. My schedule won't allow me any time to get to the forest service office this week.
Keep me posted
Thanks
Don
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