February Bikepacking Trip?

[MTBMaven]

If we get rained out I will try Butterfield. I'm still registered and can't get my money back.

[sheclimbs]

Originally Posted by dirttorpeedo

why yes mr brady lookalike.

totally off topic but I was thinking the same thing he is quite the Brady look alike isn't he?

Tom Brady does trailwork too?

tom brady.jpg

[Pain Freak]

Yeah, my older son said the same thing a few months back.

[donkey]

We could definitely piece something together in the Santa Anas. It wouldn't have the remote feel of the San Gabes but it would be fun and snow free!

If folks are interested in that I can put a route together.

Otherwise it's gonna be a cold one.....which is fine as well:-)

B

[craig z]

Just reminds me of a little story--

About ten years ago, I was headed up Thomas mtn ( near lake Hemet) I was pre running my BOB trailer for an upcomming Great Divide adventure.

I'm pulling ALL my crap that I'd need on my montana trip, AND a little ice box with two big a** Fosters all chilled for my arrival at the top.

A quarter of the way up, I'm noticing some rather large paw prints in the loose stuff on the side of the road..

I look up-- and about 75 yards ahead, on the road is a full grown mtn lion, sauntering across the road. He stops mid way to glance down at me and then bounds off the road... gone.

Very surreal at that point-- adrenalin flood, and i don't even remember feeling that trailer for the rest of the trip up the hill. Not a settling night of rest, but a good memory.


anyhow--- I did a lot of Bikepacking with that trailer, most of montana and colorado.., and gotta say, if you can find a way, on a short trip like your planning, to pair your gear down to perhaps a seat post mounted trunk bag, and a LIGHT back pack-- you'll be happier then trying to portage the BOB. They track well, but on anything technical can be problematic ( cursed mine around the Tahoe area) Wish i could do some more of that- maybe when the little one is a bit older....

have fun!

[MTBMaven]

I have the week off before the trip. I will drive up to the areas we plan to ride and check things out. If they are snowy I'm thinking the Chantry area will be the best.

[DISCO]

The only disadvantage I can see is the possibility of being stuck at altitude if the weather swings. Chantry is nice but dips into the thirties during summer, let alone with snow every where. This time of year with stream crossings and mud you may not be able to get a permit.

Santa Monica or Sycamore maybe even the Los Padres due to the lower elevation. I wont be considering this until April/May but would love to come along.

Best of luck.

Originally Posted by 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?

[El Presidente]

Originally Posted by 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?

Most of the Backbone is closed to bikes Plus there are not many campgrounds in the area.

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by El Presidente

Most of the Backbone is closed to bikes Plus there are not many campgrounds in the area.

Anything else in the Santa Monica Mtns.? I know you mentioned that range as a possibility.

[kanga]

Los Padres, as in the Santa Barbara backcountry might be an option. There's a nice hot spring we know about with a campground nearby....

[DISCO]

There are lots of nimbys in the surrounding canyons who pay substantial amounts of property tax. With that said I think it an excellent area for contingencies and back up plans. Another good choice would be the area south of Ortega with camping near the fish bowls but that too is not bike friendly.

I will look into los padres or maybe even low elevation Sierras but bet we could do just as well with pre-riding the Gabes and plotting the long term forecast before hand. I will post what I would see as a viable alternative, but still would be concerned with exposure and the desire to build a fire and huddle together through the night. It is frosty up on the main divide in the daylight but we are spoiled So-cal residents so cold and wet are merely relative to wherever one may dwell.

Originally Posted by kanga

Los Padres, as in the Santa Barbara backcountry might be an option. There's a nice hot spring we know about with a campground nearby....

Can't freeze in a hot spring, not to mention post ride relaxation.......

[MTBMaven]

I've got my 0 deg bag ready to go for the trip and plenty of warm Patagonia layers. I'm ready for the cold. I REALLY like the idea of the hot spring.

[El Presidente]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

Anything else in the Santa Monica Mtns.? I know you mentioned that range as a possibility.

I spent a little time looking at the map and about the only thing I came up with was Point Mugu with camping at Danielson group camp. It's a beautiful park and a great campground. I am just concerned if we get any rain in the week before it will get muddy out there! We rode some of the trails out there 6 days after a rain a few weeks ago and they were still muddy! If we thrash them you know who has to fix them!

Originally Posted by kanga

Los Padres, as in the Santa Barbara backcountry might be an option. There's a nice hot spring we know about with a campground nearby....

I thought about the Buckhorn trail but thought it might be too far for some of the O.C. riders that are interested in this trip?

[MTBMaven]

OC people please let us know if you are ok with a road trip to the SB area. I have heard great things about the Buckhorn Trail and would love to check it out.

[Burner]

now this is getting interesting.... a buckhorn loop, I've camped at Mono dam before. It's really nice back there. Although I couldn't get gear together by the time you guys do this. I might be interested later in the year, when it's warmer.

[MTBMaven]

I finally decided to post this trip on the calendar. Please RSVP for this event on the Trailhead post here: Bikepacking Trip 2/16-2/17

[kanga]

RSVP'd....

I thought Santa Barbara might be a nice change of pace, and to add an IMBA epic ride trail is a real bonus for not too much driving.

The springs I was thinking about are the Little Caliente springs.... I understand they can be crowded on weekends, but I'm not sure how they would be at this time of year.

[lardbutt]

Somebody mentioned the Idylwild/Hurkey Creek area. Can you camp up top there? My house is 3 miles from the Mexico border in southern San Diego county so anything a little further south will help me make it for the trip.

[kanga]

Originally Posted by lardbutt

Somebody mentioned the Idylwild/Hurkey Creek area. Can you camp up top there? My house is 3 miles from the Mexico border in southern San Diego county so anything a little further south will help me make it for the trip.

Probably under a nice cold white blanket at the moment..... perhaps later in the spring. YOu could do an amtrak overnight and meet us in SB or LA....I'm sure somebody could arrange a pickup from the station.

Originally Posted by Burner

now this is getting interesting.... a buckhorn loop, I've camped at Mono dam before. It's really nice back there. Although I couldn't get gear together by the time you guys do this. I might be interested later in the year, when it's warmer.

What gear do you need? There might be enough of us who have extra items and could cover you... especially if you know the area... It seems this is a pretty new area for most of us.

[MTBMaven]

Yeah this goes for lardbutt and burner, what gear do you need? I have gear in triplicate. Get the Delta rack, some stuff sacks, and a 1,00cu.in. or larger pack and you're good to go. If gear is the only thing stopping you then we should be able to work something out.

Lardbutt, Kanga and I are pretty close to Union Station. We might be able to pick you up.