2017 Tevis Cup Trail Changes: Start at Soda Springs

Teviscup.org

WSTF Ride Director's Message 6-5-17
June 5, 2017

The 2017 Tevis is going to start at the sheep pens in Van Norden Meadows, Soda Springs. The snow conditions today, June 1, dictate that we relocate the start to Soda Springs. Snow levels through the Granite Chief Wilderness will not provide WSTF enough time to have the Squaw Valley trail ready for our August 5th start. Not since 1983 have the snow conditions required us to put an alternate high country trail into service.

This year's start will travel south out of the Van Noreen meadow about five miles before entering Soda Springs Road and continuing to Road 51 which takes riders up to Lyon Ridge. At that point we will travel the traditional Tevis trail all the way to Francisco's vet check.

There is still uncertainty as to whether or not the Poverty Bar river crossing will be shallow enough to provide safe passage, as the snow melt has the river running at high levels. At this date, we are not able to make a definitive decision on the lower trail.

We have two options after Francisco’s. One is to make the crossing at Poverty Bar and using the old trail through the “upper” quarry to pointed rocks before crossing No Hands Bridge. The second choice, if we cannot cross the river, is to go up Drivers Flat Road, cross Foresthill Divide Road, and take the Clementine Trail. Riders would come down to the confluence, cross the Highway 49 Bridge, then pick up No Hands Bridge and travel on to the finish.

Riders are cautioned not to preride the Clementine Trail as parts of that trail are open to mountain bikers and hikers ONLY. Tevis riders will have the trail open to them and closed to bikes on the evening of August 5. Should we have to use the Clementine Trail, it will be a first for the Tevis in our 63 years of history.

We will keep everyone posted as we make the decision on the lower trail. We guarantee a trail that will include as much as the original trail as possible and the entire trail will offer an experience up to the standards expected of the Tevis.


Chuck Stalley

2017 Tevis Ride Director