RR: Coon Creek Loop

[dstepper]

San Bernardino National Forest: Half-way between Angelus Oaks and Big Bear on Highway 38.

Started at Heart Bar Campground and did a 20 mile mostly fireroad loop that included Coon Creek Cabins. Scott (StJunkie) Mat (Burner) and Art (Art23rockpile) joined me. Not much singletrack to be had out there but excellent views and we stayed above 8,000 ft all day. There was a slight dusting of snow from last night on the high peaks, San Bernardino Peak and Sugarloaf. At about 3pm when Scott checked his thermometer it was 40 degrees. There is some very interesting stuff out there we need to go back and explore some more. Very pretty country and only took a couple of pics maybe the boys can add to it.

Thanks for joining me today boys, great day to be out riding.

Dean

[art23rockpile]

The crew I ride with and myself have been training for an upcoming event. Every week, we've been doing various rides in the Santa Ana Mts. Although I enjoy riding with them and can see my fitness level improving noticably, this weekend I needed a break of sorts. High altitude 'alpine' riding is something i love, and i needed a fix! Dean and I consulted our maps, and he came up with a good route.

We were joined by Scott and Matt. As Dean stated, most of the ride was above the 8000ft elevation mark, mostly scenic fire roads and a bit of singletrack. The temps were in the 40s-50s all day (finally a break from the Summer heat ). All told, it was an excellent ride in an area I definitely want to do some exploring in.

[Burner]

Fantastic ride today... Clean crisp air, great views, wish we had more ST, but what can you do?

[epicriderat]

Nice RR guys, looks like a brochure day in the mtns.

[CalEpic]

Looks like a fun time in a beautiful area. Thanks

[Sewellymon]

!!!

i have not been back there since '84. those cabins look to be in good shape? What they for? Hunters bivy? I recall back in '84, I found an old green singlewide parked at road's end. Was in good shape- and I figured deer hunters been using it for decades...

[mpmffitz]

The scenery makes up for lack is singletrack. Great pics.

[Johnny Dirt]

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...5&d=1258259629

Thanx for the great desktop shot!

[dstepper]

!!!

i have not been back there since '84. those cabins look to be in good shape? What they for? Hunters bivy? I recall back in '84, I found an old green singlewide parked at road's end. Was in good shape- and I figured deer hunters been using it for decades...

The cabins are Yellow Post Camping but the Coon Cabins are closed to camping winter months, October to April. There are many very nice Yellow Post camping spots on the fireroad out to the cabins open year round. There is private property next to the cabins with half a dozen occupied ranch houses/cabins, so I am sure they keep a eye on them. The equestrians seem to rule this area due to facilities like stables and water. So the trails out there like Santa Ana River Trail and California Riding Trail can get very loose. This time of the year is as good as MTBing gets in this sandy soil. The water has been turned off, Heart Bar Camp Ground closed and horse traffic way down.

The views from the cabins are excellent, you can look down into Coachella Valley and see the windmills at the north end. Surprisingly the the cabins stay graffiti free. In spending time in the San Gabs and San Berdos it seems like the Forest Service seems to take better care and spend more money in the San Berdos.

Dean

[maxwell]

Great pics guys! Sometimes the fireroad rides are just what the Dr. ordered.

[Pain Freak]

We shuttled the Fish Creek (Very first pic) 4X4 trail and I still remember it as one of the funnest rides I've ever done.

[dstepper]

We shuttled the Fish Creek (Very first pic) 4X4 trail and I still remember it as one of the funnest rides I've ever done.

That jeep road is still there but blocked off. You can ride bikes down to Fish Creek where the Aspen Grove is but the creek marks the Wilderness boundary. It is a HAB back up the jeep road that is now a singletrack.

Dean