Crew Driving Directions
The Mogollon Rim itself poses a large obstacle for crewing this race. We have learned over the years that it does not make sense or is actually close to impossible to drive between some aid stations in time to see a runner since you must drive all the way around the rim to go up or down it. While most are easily accessible, they often require a great deal of driving to get to each. We ask that you please abide by our crew locations so that we can all have a safe and enjoyable race experience.
As is the case with most mountain 100's, there is limited parking at all of these crew locations. It is imperative that the roadway is NEVER blocked, even remotely. We receive very strict rules and regulations with our National Forest permitting agencies and we need you to follow these rules to ensure future runners also get to have crews at these spots. They will be out on these roads on race day to ensure we are following the rules.
We must keep all roadways open for emergency travel (think, firetruck) no matter if you're "just going to be here for 5 minutes." This is the most important thing with crewing at this race.
NOTE: You are allowed ONE (1) crew vehicle per runner. When you pick up your bib, you will be supplied with a crew pass with your bib number on it that must be present on the dash for the entire race. If we see additional crew vehicles on course for a single runner OR find that a runner is receiving aid from their crew outside the designated aid stations or crew areas we have the right to penalize and/or disqualify you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW for 2021: There are a handful of new crew instructions moving forward. Please fully read.
IMPORTANT: Once you're on top of the Rim, there are NO Facilities. No gas, no food, no water. Please come prepared as the drive from say, Buck Springs to Payson is at least one hour, each way. Also, you will likely lose cell service driving around this area. Come prepared with directions and have Google Maps on your phone ready to go before hitting the Rim.
Locations are subject to change but we are working on additional details and maps to make this a (relatively) easy crew experience where you'll just stay above the Rim and head West with your runner all the way to Pine.
1. The start is at Trailhead 260 which is a relatively small parking lot. Given that most, if not all, runners will be shuttled to the start from Pine and we need school buses to be able to turnaround in this lot, there is very little space for parking at the start. You will need to say your goodbyes and good luck prior to the shuttle and plan on seeing your beautiful runner on course at one of the crew access zones on top of the Rim. If you are dropping your runner off, you will follow our direction in the lot which will loop you around the lot to a drop off area, and continue back out to leave without stopping.
From there (or the Old Pine Parking Area), you may consider heading into town to grab some breakfast, a cup of coffee, or hit the Ponderosa Market for supplies & get ready for your big day/night on the Mogollon Rim.
2. We will have our first of three crew access locations around miles 26-29 that will be "crews only" but would allow your runners to see your beautiful faces. On this stretch where the runners pop out onto the Rim Road from Horton Creek Trail, there are a number of pull-offs from the Rim Road where you can wait for your runner. Specifically after the large power line section, you'll start to see options. Do NOT park on the edge of the Rim Road. Find a pull off and wait. We will have a staff/volunteer roaming in this area to make sure you don't think you're above the rules.
2. Fish Hatchery: NO CREW ACCESS.
3. The the top of the rim aid stations are open for crews and offer more space sometimes with parking. That includes Buck Springs, General Springs, and Dickerson Flat. Directions are listed below and you can follow the link as well to have directions that include a QR code and clickable link for google maps.
4. 42 Km Runners will have no crew access for their race.
Old Pine Lot Event Parking for Shuttle to Start line - We have secured a larger parking area one mile from the Pine Trailhead where the races will begin. The Old Pine Parking Area will allow dispersed camping and vehicles can remain here all weekend.
On race morning we will have Payson School District shuttling 100 mile runners back and forth departing at 4:45 a.m. and 4:50 a.m.
The 100Km runners will also meet in the Old Pine Lot to be shuttled to the Fish Hatchery Trailhead around 11:45am.
For Sunday's 42 Km race, the shuttle will begin shortly after 6 a.m. and continue to just after 7:00 a.m.
CREW LOCATIONS & CLICKABLE LINKS
Crew Driving Directions Document with QR codes & Links (clickable link)
The names of the aid stations are google maps "pin drops" while some of the aid stations that have (clickable) directions are set to start from The Pine Trailhead.
Start at Trailhead Two-Sixty (100 MILE ONLY) - No parking allowed here, DROP OFF/DRIVE THRU ONLY
Start at Fish Hatchery Trailhead (100 Kilometer ONLY) - No crew parking allowed here. Shuttles will drop off the runners.
Start at Pine Trailhead (42KM ONLY) – No parking here for the race! You may be dropped off here on race morning but your crew cannot park and wait for the start.
Pine Trailhead is just before reaching the town of Pine as you come north from Payson. There is a sign for the turnoff and the right turn takes you to a dead end where the race starts and then later passes through 98 miles later. There is a non-flushing bathroom available here and Porta-potties. To reach the Pine TH from Payson, travel 15 miles north on state route 87.
Pine TH: Reached by traveling 15 miles north of Payson on SR 87, turn right onto FR 298. Facilities include toilet, corrals, and large parking area.
Top of the Rim Crew Locations
Black Mesa Crews Only Zone Miles 26-29 - CREW ACCESS - This is a new area where we are allowing crew access throughout this 3 ish mile stretch where runners will be on the Rim Road. The google pin drop is just west of the large power line stretch. Anywhere in this zone is approved to provide crew aid. Please do NOT park off the side of the Rim Road where vehicles have to move around you to get by. Continue up the road until you find a safe pull off area to wait for your runner. VERY IMPORTANT!!
Also, if you're able to, please offer water/nutrition to anyone who doesn't have a crew. Team effort!
Buck Springs Aid Station (Pin Drop) - CREW ACCESS - Buck Springs Directions - (48 miles/ 1hr 20min from Pine Trailhead) - From the Pine Trailhead, drive up the 87 for almost 33 miles (32.7) to the FS-95 turnoff on your right. Once on the 95, there will be a few junctions with other service roads but remain on FS-95 for just about 6.4 miles to the junction of FS-96 and turn left. Follow FS-96 for 2 miles before making a slight right onto FS-321. Follow FS-321 for 6.8 miles until you see an opening on your left and the aid station in a field. There is parking off of this road next to the aid as well as on the road itself. Parking on one side and leaving space for emergency access applies here as well.
NOTE: If you are visiting your runner or coming to pace and leaving a car be sure to leave it in a spot where there is PLENTY of space for an emergency vehicle to get through. This is very important.
Pinchot Cabin AS (Pin Drop) - CREW ACCESS – Pinchot Cabin Directions (44 miles/ 1hr 8min from Pine Trailhead) – From the Pine Trailhead, drive up the 87 for almost 33 miles (32.7) to the FS-95 turnoff on your right. Once on the 95, there will be a few junctions with other service roads but remain on FS-95 for just 11.1 miles to the junction of FS-139A and turn left. You will see the large white tent on your left about 500 feet after your turn. There is very limited parking here and it is imperative you leave space for emergency access (15+ft wide) and park on one side of the road only. The race course crosses the 139A so please use caution when arriving/departing this aid station. There is also a parking area off of the 95 where it is just a short walk to the aid station.
General Springs Cabin Crew Zone - CREW ACCESS ONLY (No Aid) - (27.1 Miles/ 1hour 4 minutes from Pine Trailhead)
Runner mileage: 62.2
Pacer Access: Yes
From the Pine Trailhead, drive up the AZ-87 for just over 14 miles where you’ll see signs for FS-300 or Rim Road. Within the first quarter mile, you need to turn left onto the Rim Road which you’ll follow for more than 12 miles. This road is all dirt and has lots of twists and turns. Combine that will incredible views and it can be a bit of a dangerous road. There will be OHV’s, 4-wheelers and plenty of other traffic on here so please pay attention on this drive. When you reach the powerlines where there will be a crew of our HAM Radio operators, you’ll turn left toward the cabin. About a ½ mile down this road you will see parking on the left. Be courteous to other runners/crews and only take up one space so we can accommodate as many runners as we can. And of course, be sure to leave plenty of space for an emergency vehicle to access this area AND be able to turn around. Please do NOT park vehicles on both sides of the road should there be no parking in the spots off the road.
NOTE: When you reach the powerline where you turn, you will be driving on the race course so please be on the look out for other runners and drive slow so as to not kick up a bunch of dust in their faces either.
The next crew access point will be Dickerson Flat at mile 84. While that is only 18 (running) miles from General Springs Cabin, it may take your runner 6+ hours to complete this.
NOTE: Many of you will be driving these sections in the dark. Keep an eye out for wildlife on ALL of these roads!
Dickerson Flat Crew Zone – CREW ACCESS ONLY (No aid) - NOTE: Runners will be ON THIS ROAD. Drive Slowly and cautiously!
From the town of Pine, head north on the 87 through Strawberry towns up to the top of the Rim. Look for the signed junction for the “Rim Road” (Forest Road #300) just after mile marker 280. Take a right and go straight at the first intersections on Milk Ranch Point road. You access Rim Road #300 here (would be left turn and takes you to General Springs/Buck Springs/Pinchot Cabin AS) but for Dickerson Flat AS you want to go straight on Milk Ranch Point Road. This will meet a three way intersection after about a mile and take the right turn following Milk Ranch Point Road. After about 3.3 miles you will reach Dickerson Flat, a large pasture on the right with a row of ponderosas. The runners will come out on the small road on the left by the metal gate leading to Turkey Springs Trail (location of the pin drop). NOTE: This crew zone is only allowed in the immediate area of Dickerson Flat (Dickenson as Google labels it) and not all the way up and down this forest road.
---------------------------------------
Finish Line (Pin Drop) - CREW ACCESS - Our finish line is located at the Town Ramada which is off the main road in the center of Pine and just north of the Ponderosa Market. You will see our big metal Mogollon Monster 100 sign on the left that our friend Chris Dame made a few years back. We will have some of our store items available for sale, some shade while you're handing out and some food for the runners. There is a little playground for the kids, ice cream shop next door, and a couple other restaurant options within eye shot of the finish line. Last year the Pine-Strawberry Museum was open right at the finish line too.
As is the case with most mountain 100's, there is limited parking at all of these crew locations. It is imperative that the roadway is NEVER blocked, even remotely. We receive very strict rules and regulations with our National Forest permitting agencies and we need you to follow these rules to ensure future runners also get to have crews at these spots. They will be out on these roads on race day to ensure we are following the rules.
We must keep all roadways open for emergency travel (think, firetruck) no matter if you're "just going to be here for 5 minutes." This is the most important thing with crewing at this race.
NOTE: You are allowed ONE (1) crew vehicle per runner. When you pick up your bib, you will be supplied with a crew pass with your bib number on it that must be present on the dash for the entire race. If we see additional crew vehicles on course for a single runner OR find that a runner is receiving aid from their crew outside the designated aid stations or crew areas we have the right to penalize and/or disqualify you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW for 2021: There are a handful of new crew instructions moving forward. Please fully read.
IMPORTANT: Once you're on top of the Rim, there are NO Facilities. No gas, no food, no water. Please come prepared as the drive from say, Buck Springs to Payson is at least one hour, each way. Also, you will likely lose cell service driving around this area. Come prepared with directions and have Google Maps on your phone ready to go before hitting the Rim.
Locations are subject to change but we are working on additional details and maps to make this a (relatively) easy crew experience where you'll just stay above the Rim and head West with your runner all the way to Pine.
1. The start is at Trailhead 260 which is a relatively small parking lot. Given that most, if not all, runners will be shuttled to the start from Pine and we need school buses to be able to turnaround in this lot, there is very little space for parking at the start. You will need to say your goodbyes and good luck prior to the shuttle and plan on seeing your beautiful runner on course at one of the crew access zones on top of the Rim. If you are dropping your runner off, you will follow our direction in the lot which will loop you around the lot to a drop off area, and continue back out to leave without stopping.
From there (or the Old Pine Parking Area), you may consider heading into town to grab some breakfast, a cup of coffee, or hit the Ponderosa Market for supplies & get ready for your big day/night on the Mogollon Rim.
2. We will have our first of three crew access locations around miles 26-29 that will be "crews only" but would allow your runners to see your beautiful faces. On this stretch where the runners pop out onto the Rim Road from Horton Creek Trail, there are a number of pull-offs from the Rim Road where you can wait for your runner. Specifically after the large power line section, you'll start to see options. Do NOT park on the edge of the Rim Road. Find a pull off and wait. We will have a staff/volunteer roaming in this area to make sure you don't think you're above the rules.
2. Fish Hatchery: NO CREW ACCESS.
3. The the top of the rim aid stations are open for crews and offer more space sometimes with parking. That includes Buck Springs, General Springs, and Dickerson Flat. Directions are listed below and you can follow the link as well to have directions that include a QR code and clickable link for google maps.
4. 42 Km Runners will have no crew access for their race.
Old Pine Lot Event Parking for Shuttle to Start line - We have secured a larger parking area one mile from the Pine Trailhead where the races will begin. The Old Pine Parking Area will allow dispersed camping and vehicles can remain here all weekend.
On race morning we will have Payson School District shuttling 100 mile runners back and forth departing at 4:45 a.m. and 4:50 a.m.
The 100Km runners will also meet in the Old Pine Lot to be shuttled to the Fish Hatchery Trailhead around 11:45am.
For Sunday's 42 Km race, the shuttle will begin shortly after 6 a.m. and continue to just after 7:00 a.m.
CREW LOCATIONS & CLICKABLE LINKS
Crew Driving Directions Document with QR codes & Links (clickable link)
The names of the aid stations are google maps "pin drops" while some of the aid stations that have (clickable) directions are set to start from The Pine Trailhead.
Start at Trailhead Two-Sixty (100 MILE ONLY) - No parking allowed here, DROP OFF/DRIVE THRU ONLY
Start at Fish Hatchery Trailhead (100 Kilometer ONLY) - No crew parking allowed here. Shuttles will drop off the runners.
Start at Pine Trailhead (42KM ONLY) – No parking here for the race! You may be dropped off here on race morning but your crew cannot park and wait for the start.
Pine Trailhead is just before reaching the town of Pine as you come north from Payson. There is a sign for the turnoff and the right turn takes you to a dead end where the race starts and then later passes through 98 miles later. There is a non-flushing bathroom available here and Porta-potties. To reach the Pine TH from Payson, travel 15 miles north on state route 87.
Pine TH: Reached by traveling 15 miles north of Payson on SR 87, turn right onto FR 298. Facilities include toilet, corrals, and large parking area.
Top of the Rim Crew Locations
Black Mesa Crews Only Zone Miles 26-29 - CREW ACCESS - This is a new area where we are allowing crew access throughout this 3 ish mile stretch where runners will be on the Rim Road. The google pin drop is just west of the large power line stretch. Anywhere in this zone is approved to provide crew aid. Please do NOT park off the side of the Rim Road where vehicles have to move around you to get by. Continue up the road until you find a safe pull off area to wait for your runner. VERY IMPORTANT!!
Also, if you're able to, please offer water/nutrition to anyone who doesn't have a crew. Team effort!
Buck Springs Aid Station (Pin Drop) - CREW ACCESS - Buck Springs Directions - (48 miles/ 1hr 20min from Pine Trailhead) - From the Pine Trailhead, drive up the 87 for almost 33 miles (32.7) to the FS-95 turnoff on your right. Once on the 95, there will be a few junctions with other service roads but remain on FS-95 for just about 6.4 miles to the junction of FS-96 and turn left. Follow FS-96 for 2 miles before making a slight right onto FS-321. Follow FS-321 for 6.8 miles until you see an opening on your left and the aid station in a field. There is parking off of this road next to the aid as well as on the road itself. Parking on one side and leaving space for emergency access applies here as well.
NOTE: If you are visiting your runner or coming to pace and leaving a car be sure to leave it in a spot where there is PLENTY of space for an emergency vehicle to get through. This is very important.
Pinchot Cabin AS (Pin Drop) - CREW ACCESS – Pinchot Cabin Directions (44 miles/ 1hr 8min from Pine Trailhead) – From the Pine Trailhead, drive up the 87 for almost 33 miles (32.7) to the FS-95 turnoff on your right. Once on the 95, there will be a few junctions with other service roads but remain on FS-95 for just 11.1 miles to the junction of FS-139A and turn left. You will see the large white tent on your left about 500 feet after your turn. There is very limited parking here and it is imperative you leave space for emergency access (15+ft wide) and park on one side of the road only. The race course crosses the 139A so please use caution when arriving/departing this aid station. There is also a parking area off of the 95 where it is just a short walk to the aid station.
General Springs Cabin Crew Zone - CREW ACCESS ONLY (No Aid) - (27.1 Miles/ 1hour 4 minutes from Pine Trailhead)
Runner mileage: 62.2
Pacer Access: Yes
From the Pine Trailhead, drive up the AZ-87 for just over 14 miles where you’ll see signs for FS-300 or Rim Road. Within the first quarter mile, you need to turn left onto the Rim Road which you’ll follow for more than 12 miles. This road is all dirt and has lots of twists and turns. Combine that will incredible views and it can be a bit of a dangerous road. There will be OHV’s, 4-wheelers and plenty of other traffic on here so please pay attention on this drive. When you reach the powerlines where there will be a crew of our HAM Radio operators, you’ll turn left toward the cabin. About a ½ mile down this road you will see parking on the left. Be courteous to other runners/crews and only take up one space so we can accommodate as many runners as we can. And of course, be sure to leave plenty of space for an emergency vehicle to access this area AND be able to turn around. Please do NOT park vehicles on both sides of the road should there be no parking in the spots off the road.
NOTE: When you reach the powerline where you turn, you will be driving on the race course so please be on the look out for other runners and drive slow so as to not kick up a bunch of dust in their faces either.
The next crew access point will be Dickerson Flat at mile 84. While that is only 18 (running) miles from General Springs Cabin, it may take your runner 6+ hours to complete this.
NOTE: Many of you will be driving these sections in the dark. Keep an eye out for wildlife on ALL of these roads!
Dickerson Flat Crew Zone – CREW ACCESS ONLY (No aid) - NOTE: Runners will be ON THIS ROAD. Drive Slowly and cautiously!
From the town of Pine, head north on the 87 through Strawberry towns up to the top of the Rim. Look for the signed junction for the “Rim Road” (Forest Road #300) just after mile marker 280. Take a right and go straight at the first intersections on Milk Ranch Point road. You access Rim Road #300 here (would be left turn and takes you to General Springs/Buck Springs/Pinchot Cabin AS) but for Dickerson Flat AS you want to go straight on Milk Ranch Point Road. This will meet a three way intersection after about a mile and take the right turn following Milk Ranch Point Road. After about 3.3 miles you will reach Dickerson Flat, a large pasture on the right with a row of ponderosas. The runners will come out on the small road on the left by the metal gate leading to Turkey Springs Trail (location of the pin drop). NOTE: This crew zone is only allowed in the immediate area of Dickerson Flat (Dickenson as Google labels it) and not all the way up and down this forest road.
---------------------------------------
Finish Line (Pin Drop) - CREW ACCESS - Our finish line is located at the Town Ramada which is off the main road in the center of Pine and just north of the Ponderosa Market. You will see our big metal Mogollon Monster 100 sign on the left that our friend Chris Dame made a few years back. We will have some of our store items available for sale, some shade while you're handing out and some food for the runners. There is a little playground for the kids, ice cream shop next door, and a couple other restaurant options within eye shot of the finish line. Last year the Pine-Strawberry Museum was open right at the finish line too.
