February Bikepacking Trip?

[red913]

I work for rvtoyoutlet.com We also sell some camping supplies. Not as much as say REI, but still a good deal on camping supplies. PM me if you need anything and I'll let ya know if we got it. This place is CHEAP too! we have backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, all kinds of things for starting a fire, water purification chemicals, water filtering bottles, cheap propane, cooking tools, etc. We have a retail store in anaheim if you just want to browse the store as well. For directions call 714-363-0251. Tell them Todd told you about it.

[lardbutt]

I'm in. Wouldn't miss it! I have a lot of extra gear as well and all are welcome to borrow it if needed. If you are undecided, go on this trip. These are the ones you are talking about 10 years from now.

And MTBMaven, I agree, a complete set of cooking/kitchen stuff and water purification for every three to four folks sounds about ideal.

[bighit8]

Do anybody know if R.E.I rents out any gear that you may not have? I would like to give it ago but don't think I have everything I need.

[El Presidente]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Do anybody know if R.E.I rents out any gear that you may not have? I would like to give it ago but don't think I have everything I need.

REI rents tents and sleeping bags. Is that the gear you are referring to?

[bighit8]

More panniers and racks. I have a pack but seems a little cumbersome. Or a bob trailer.

[El Presidente]

Originally Posted by bighit8

More panniers and racks. I have a pack but seems a little cumbersome. Or a bob trailer.

I doubt they rent any of that stuff. You could call and ask.

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by bighit8

More panniers and racks. I have a pack but seems a little cumbersome. Or a bob trailer.

I think you are going to have a hard time renting those items. Not sure what your finances are like but the rack OffRoadie posted in the Ultralight MTB Touring thread is like $30 on Amazon. You will need to get the mounting hardware for another $5 or so.

After that you should be able to strap everything to the rack. You will want to keep your weight on the rack to 20-25 as it has a 30 pound limit. I would recommend keeping small heavy items on your back. Attach clothes, sleeping bag, and tent to the rack. Attach pad to handlebars. Keep stove, water filter, food, fuel those types of items in your pack.

[Jslow]

Performance has their own brand of waterproof panniers on sale for 39$ through feb 18...I've no personal uses with these but looked like a decent deal.

[donkey]

Does anyone need shelter for the February ride? I'm doing some garage cleaning today and stumbled upon a Walrus Microswift that I don't really need. Here's a link to a picture:

http://www.backpacking.net/walrus-swift-review.html

If anyone wants it $45 should cover it. I'm pretty sure I've used it 2 times.....I just have too much gear and need to clear some thing out.

B

[Endo Verendo]

How about some snowshoes?

[MTBMaven]

There's plenty of time for this dusting to melt.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

There's plenty of time for this dusting to melt.

Dusting! Two foot on Wilson with some larger drifts.

http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~obs/towercam.htm

Dean

[mottmcfly]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Dusting! Two foot on Wilson with some larger drifts.

http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~obs/towercam.htm

Dean

That's as of now. I cant wait to see what it looks like after the weekend. I was driving home and I couldn't believe how the snow covered mountains looked. Just amazing.

[El Presidente]

The Mount Wilson area still has a lot of snow! It is snowing up there now! I doubt it is all going to melt in time for this ride to happen.

I am up for it but I think we should think about an alternate lower elevation trip. Brown Mountain and down the Burton would be nice. I know it is shorter then you wanted but we could make camp at Oakwild drop the gear then ride up the Gab for a while then back down. On Sunday we could clim back up the Burton and out or down the Gab. The River is flowing pretty high for the second option!

The Chantry area would be a nice choice too!

[Pain Freak]

What about Winter Creek? Isn't there camping over there?

I'm taking the BOB out today, but only on the road, it's freekin raining, again! I'm loding it differently this time, no bag of salt. This time I'm redistributing the weight to see how it rides. I've got rain gear and cold weather gear I want to try out. It should work good for the dirt too.

[El Presidente]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

What about Winter Creek? Isn't there camping over there?

I'm taking the BOB out today, but only on the road, it's freekin raining, again! I'm loding it differently this time, no bag of salt. This time I'm redistributing the weight to see how it rides. I've got rain gear and cold weather gear I want to try out. It should work good for the dirt too.

There is camping at Hoegee or Spruce Grove. Spruce Grove is the one near the junction of the Gab and the top of the Mount Zion Trail. That would be my choice. We could ride up the Gab from Chantry to Spruce Grove, unload the gear then do some more riding such as the Zion/Winter Creek loop then back up the Gab to the camp.

Did you get the waterproof sack with your BoB?

[Pain Freak]

Si.

I'm putting things (clothes and the like) in it today to make sure I do it right.

Originally Posted by El Presidente

There is camping at Hoegee or Spruce Grove. Spruce Grove is the one near the junction of the Gab and the top of the Mount Zion Trail. That would be my choice. We could ride up the Gab from Chantry to Spruce Grove, unload the gear then do some more riding such as the Zion/Winter Creek loop then back up the Gab to the camp.

Did you get the waterproof sack with your BoB?

Yeah, this makes a little more sense to me. Although maybe not the outback feel to it that Brian was looking for, it still would be a good learning type of ride for pulling the BoB and to see what else would be needed/scraped.

[MTBMaven]

What about something in the Santa Monica Mtns? Like something off the Backbone? The biggest problem I see is the lack of stream water.

I love the Chantry area as you guys know. I would be cool with camping at Spruce Grove. The beauty of this route is it's 98% singletrack. I don't think riding up Mt. Zion would be the best thing with all that gear. We could ride Upper Winter Creek to Lower Winter Creek then ride up to Spruce Grove? Or do the normal loop backwards?

PF are you coming on the bikepacking trip now?

[dirttorpeedo]

why yes mr brady lookalike. find a bicycle trailer,like a bob,uh,burly. these work well for carrying ALL your stuff,as myself and some peeps have done this.you ride to your spot,set up camp,go for a ride, camp, party at nite,sleep,wake up and ride out or ride more. pick some place that uses fire rodes if you find a trailer. uh hurky creek is a good area. have fun.

[Pain Freak]

Nah, I'm still in for the Butterfield, I'm just hoping you get rained out or something else comes up for I can jump in.