RR: Clear Creek to Chantry Flats via the Gabrielino trail and points in between

[kamaekia]

Being somewhat inspired by the recent talk about riding the whole of the Gabrielino trail, I thought I would do my own version of it. Instead of starting at JPL, I decided to start at the Clear Creek station and then go from there. I had arranged a pick-up at the bottom of Chantry Flats.

I had tried to convince Ross to go with me, but he used the work excuse on me. It's ok, I have used it on him before too.

The morning got off to a slow start. I walked out to load up my bike at 6am and noticed my tire was flat from a slow leak and then upon further inspection, saw I had a broken spoke. So, I had to swap in my other rim and change out the rotor.

I got rolling and got to the Clear Creek station around 6:30am. I was riding around 6:45am. I thought I would get a quick thrill by doing the Nature's Canteen Trail, which goes from Clear Creek to Switzer. After that, I began the long uphill up to Eaton Saddle.

Along the way to Eaton Saddle, began the frustration of 3 flat tires. Just bad luck. I must have gotten the thorns from the Nature's Canteen trail. I changed one tire and had to patch the other as I only had one spare after swapping out one tire.

I reached Eaton Saddle and decided to rest for a little bit and re-repair a patch job I did. I met a nice downhiller who drove up from JPL as the gentleman who does the shuttle from JPL to Eaton Saddle didn't show up today. He had a nice downhill bike with a very fluffy seat. It is like one of those spounges you use to wash you car, nice and white. We chatted for a bit and then I was ready to begin the downhill adventure to West Fork.

I started down the Valley Forge trail and forgot about all the leaves on the ground, which give it a ball bearing feeling. Less than a half mile into the ride, I slid out, my only carnage of the day, so not too bad. The trail is in great shape save for about a section of a few hundred meters that is partially washed out. I treaded lightly over that section. The trail is an absolute blast as it is in really good shape. Too bad it requires climbing both before and afterwards to enjoy the trail. I then reached the Gabrielino trail.

I always tell myself that I won't ride the Gab during this section. But I never listen to myself. I headed east along the Gabrielino to the West Fork Campground. The first 1/2 mile or so of the Gabrielino east of the junction with the Valley Forge trail is not a lot of fun. It is overgrown and has a lot of off-camber, sketchy trail riding. Once again, I treaded lightly, even walking some of the really off-camber sections. I can't believe they even call some of this a trail. Anyway, it is nonetheless part of the Gabrielino Trail system. After the 1/2 mile of not so much fun riding, the trail becomes fun to ride and is in good shape. I hit the Kenyon Devore (formerly Rattlesnake) trail junction. From here, it is about another mile or two of really nice riding over to the West Fork Campground. There is one large downed tree, one of two I encountered along the route I took today. It was a bit of work to get around it. People don't the take this trail enough to have an "established" work-around trail. So I clawed my way through the tree, bending back branches when I could. Then it was back to a very nice ride down to the West Fork Campground.

I figured I wouldn't see anyone between Eaton Saddle and Newcomb's Pas, about a 10 mile stretch, but arriving at the West Fork Campground, I surprised to see three hikers. They said they had come down via the Kenyon Devore trail and were going back up it. I bid farewell to them and began the climb up to Newcomb's Pass. It is about a 4 mile climb up to the pass. It is a pleasant climb, as much as climbs can be, right? Along the way, I passed where the Gabrielino trail passes the fireroad and heads down to the Devore Campground.

I will have to drop a note to Tom Harrison. The 0.7 secion from the Redbox-Rincon trail to Newcomb's Pass is missing from his latest version of the "Angeles Front Country" map. It was on his previous version. In fact, he is also missing the Hoyt trail too!

Upon reaching Newcomb's Pass, I saw a few fellow mountan bikers making there way up from Chantry Flats up to Newcomb's Pass. It was a big group of them, probably about 12 or 14.

Now began the real pay-off of the ride. I headed down from Newcomb's Pass. Passing many of the previously mentioned mountain bikies along the way as some were still making their way up to the pass. Between Newcomb's Pass and Sturtevant's Camp, there is a large downed tree. Other than that, the trail is in excellent shape. This section of the Gab is new to me. It didn't disappoint.

I hit the junction at Sturtevant's Camp and then proceeded all the way to Chantry Flats. I passed quite a few hikers. Now I know why I don't like Chantry Flats on the weekends. Too many hikers. I hit the road climb out of the valley and then road down Santa Anita Avenue to meet my ride at the corners of Santa Anita and Foothill.

The only part of today's ride that wasn't fun were the 5 flats. Five flats! I have never had that many flats before. Moving time was about 4 hours, with about 28 miles covered. I don't have the statistics yet as I have not uploaded the route from my GPS. I think the elevation change was about 3,000+ feet. Not too much considering I covered 28 miles.

Here are some pictures:

The beginning of the ride at Clear Creek Station with the sun just beginning to peak up over the horizon:

Nature's Canteen Trail to Switzer's:


I think I am going down there somewhere:


Better be careful with all the leaves on the ground:

Tread Lightly:

Lots of smiling here:

On the Gabrielino Trail:

The off-camber, not so fun stuff on the Gabrielino:



A very nice section of the Gabrielino Trail:


One of two downed trees encountered today:




I think I am going to the electric wires:

Climbing up to Newcomb's Pass:

Almost there:


Arcadia is down there:


The Gabrielino coming down from Newcomb's Pass:

Fun Switchbacks:



Just a little blood:


To see all the pictures I took, go here:
http://mtb.lo-lands.org/switzer/pict...ats/index.html

[Rossage]

Pretty good solo ride. I wish I could've made it. Stan's would've stopped those pesky thorns. I hope I can make it the next time.
Later, Ross

[dstepper]

Nice RR and nice route.

Dean

[Pain Freak]

Excellent rr. That's a route I haven't considered (starting from Clear Creek). Looks like you were really moving though.

[project_d]

That's an awesome RR! I've done that ride once, except for the Valley Forge part, and it was fun. Your RR inspires me to do it again!

[hoovermd]

I need to spend more time in the Gabes...

[kamaekia]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Excellent rr. That's a route I haven't considered (starting from Clear Creek). Looks like you were really moving though.

Actually, I wasn't moving that quickly. This route has a lot more downhill than uphill. There are really only three climbs, the first big one, which is up to Eaton Saddle, which took me an hour and change to do and then the climb up to Newcomb's Pass, which took about 45 minutes and the last little climb up the paved road to the Chantry Flats parking lot. I think that totals up to about 10 miles or so of climbing and the grade isn't very steep.

[jamisjake]

Nice RR! I need to try riding in the San Gabriels!

[JoeTruth]

Fantastic RR! There's a few posters RR's I enjoy reading, word for word; yours is one of them. It's a very tempting route. Especially considering it's not a complete suffer fest. Thanks for posting!

...

[Revalimage]

Great RR - looking forward to the route!

[kamaekia]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

Fantastic RR! There's a few posters RR's I enjoy reading, word for word; yours is one of them. It's a very tempting route. Especially considering it's not a complete suffer fest. Thanks for posting!

...

I very much appreciate the positive feedback. I am so honored to have such a loyal fan base. Can I take that liberty?

I digress...I uploaded the contents from my GPS to my computer and also to Motionbase. Motionbase gave me credit for 4,200 feet of climbing with 7,400 feet of descent. It didn't feel like that much climbing. I didn't feel tired on Sunday.

I have created a topo map of the route. My apologies as my GPS was acting up at the beginning. I didn't get the bugs out of my GPS until about Redbox.



If you don't mind downloading a 7 meg file, go here to download the map in full resolution:
http://mtb.lo-lands.org/switzer/Clea...ry%20Flats.JPG