Mt Lemmon Gravel Grinder p/b Pinal County

(Oracle, AZ) August 30, 2020 - We thank you and appreciate your patience while we navigate through all the challenges this year has brought to the MLGG and beyond. 

While we hoped that we could host an event this October, we’ve made the tough decision to cancel the 2020 Mt Lemmon Gravel Grinder. Due to the Bighorn Fire, the Catalina Ranger District placed the Santa Catalina Mountains, Mount Lemmon under a closure order through November 1st. Last week an initial discussion revealed the extent of the fire severely damaged the area surrounding the out-n-back section of the 50 and 60-mile courses and that we would not be allowed to host those distances this year. After another week of evaluations and further communication with the Forest Service, it remained uncertain whether or not we'd be able to use the 40-mile course prior to November 1st or beyond. Due to the continued uncertainty surrounding the course and the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, we feel that it is in the best interest of our staff, volunteers, participants, and the community of Oracle, to make the decision to cancel this year’s event and look forward to 2021. 

As a result of this cancellation, per our refund and deferment policy, all registered participants will be given the options to: 

1) Defer to the 2021 MLGG event on October 30, 2021. No action is needed to complete your deferral. 

2) Request a refund of the registration fee, minus processing fees. For the refund option, either reply to the cancelation email or email Julie@mtlemmongravelgrinder.com no later than September 15, 2020. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. We thank you for your understanding during these difficult times.

The closure order can be found at fs.usda.gov/alerts/coronado/alerts-notices.

The Coronado National Forest will be periodically reevaluating the closure area on National Forest Systems lands to assess the validity of the closure order. Adjustments to the closure order might be made based on the reevaluation. Catalina Highway will reopen to the general public once Pima County has completed its road work and is assured it is safe for open travel.
“We have implemented the closure order for public health and safety and are asking people to avoid visiting the closure area on National Forest Systems lands,” said C.J. Woodard, Santa Catalina District Ranger on the Coronado National Forest. “We understand people want to know what the area looks like and we are mindful of the importance of visitors to the businesses outside of the closure area within Summerhaven as well as the recreation opportunities, but we ask that visitors consider their own safety first.”