RR: Chantry Flats /Mt. Zion (I did not die)

[metalmtbr]

The Where: Chantry Flats / Mt. Zion, Sierra Madre
Riders: Rockslide, N4th4n, Busterb & Metalmtbr
Ride time: 8:15a - 2:00p
Trail Conditions: This trail has some techy sections for sure. HAB is mandatory in steep rocky spots but for aggressive riders who attack rocky sections dabbing won't be an issue. I noticed there was lot of leaves on the ground (doesn't anyone rake it? ) leaving the ground damp and tacky in shaded areas. Stream crossings were manageable and no one crossing the slippery rocks fell in the deeper waters. Shallower crossings we rode thru without any problems.
Weather: Upper 50's to start (7:30a meet-up). Upper 60's in exposed parts of the trail. I just took off my windbreaker and stuck it in my Blowfish Camelbak when I started to get toasty. It was nice and comfortable in the shaded areas of the trail.
Notes: This was N4th's and I first ride at Chantry. BusterB and Rockslide hosted it. The ride took a long time for a couple of reasons: a.) I was lugging it in the altitude. My fitness (or lack of) has suffered since the rains and traveling have kept me off the bike, b.) I stopped and took a lot of photos and video, c.) Busterb had some minor mechanical issues with his derailleur, e.) there were some HUGE fallen trees obstructing the path, f.) we goofed off as usual (the swing was fun!). Usually it's me that's falling off my bike or going OTB but interestingly enough, all of us took a spill one time or another on this ride (couldn't get unclipped, tire-meet-rock-launch-rider, rear tire washed out, etc), g.) I had to build a cairn.

Days prior to the ride I followed the "Will I die at Chantry," thread closely not knowing what to expect. The notion I got was sections of the trail were a tight-rope and riders have plummeted to their death. Tho' there are parts of the trail have a lot of extreme exposure, one should just keep their focus on the trail ahead and they'll be fine. Sure it can be intimidating but the fear factor, in my opinion, was hyped up just a tad. Caution should be observed on all trails with some exposure anyway, not just Chantry. Riding with someone who's ridden it before will also boost confidence that you'll get out unscathed (thanks Dat for riding sweep so you could find me if I fell down a ravine).

I wanted to do something a little different so on this RR I put together a 5 min slideshow of our adventures at Chantry. Hope you enjoy it.

[kanga]

Really nice slide show!

We rode upper winter creek on Thursday, and didn't see any downed trees until we got to the upper section of UWC (which you didn't ride if you took the Zion trail), and on the Wilson trail. It was in really great shape. I haven't seen the Zion or Gab trails since the rain though. Were the downed trees on the Zion section or the Gab?

[busterb]

Great job on the slide show. Liked how you played with the pics to make them really fun to watch.

Yeah the trees were on the down side of Zion. Pretty big ones with leaves, branches and all.

[ladera Dave]

Nice job, Glad you conquered the Gabs'

[solislbc]

I have three days in between jobs Feb 8th - 10th to attempt to get out there during the week. I definitely need to get out there.

[charlesinoc]

I wonder what the total elevation gain of your ride? How long is the paved road climb to Chantry from the gate? It's been a long time since I rode there. I might die...really.

[onegymrat]

Wow, nice pix! I've often wanted to stop and take pix of everything but I seem to just keep pedaling! The streams seem to be "roaring" in the pix...was just normal my first (and only) ride there 3 weeks earlier.

Did you run into hikers? Or did the early start avoid them? When I went, we had an 8:30am start or so and it was the most hikers I had ever seen on any trail.

[metalmtbr]

Elevation gain was about 2328 ft according to my Garmin. I'm not sure the distance is from Chantry to the gate. It seemed a long way. I'm guessing about 3/4 of a mile. Could be shorter. It's just steep. You won't die.

Originally Posted by charlesinoc

I wonder what the total elevation gain of your ride? How long is the paved road climb to Chantry from the gate? It's been a long time since I rode there. I might die...really.

Thanks. I usually take lots of pics on first time trail rides. If it's a good trail, I usually bring my GoPro but if it's mainly fire road, I leave it at home.

The streams were definitely roaring. We had to be really careful crossing the streams that had some depth.

We ran into hikers. Not a lot since it was a Friday. Probably around 3-4 pairs and a pair of joggers. Saw an equal amount of seasoned mtb'rs that were flying by us on some sections.

Originally Posted by onegymrat

Wow, nice pix! I've often wanted to stop and take pix of everything but I seem to just keep pedaling! The streams seem to be "roaring" in the pix...was just normal my first (and only) ride there 3 weeks earlier.

Did you run into hikers? Or did the early start avoid them? When I went, we had an 8:30am start or so and it was the most hikers I had ever seen on any trail.

[DaBuDa]

Great R&R
How many pictures did you take??
And I thought I took a lot of pictures!

[jamisjake]

cool pics--and nice touch with Linus playing the piano!

[Dusty]

Awesome video, nice job and congratulations at overcoming all the rhetoric (mine included) and going for it. Your photos really show the beauty of this trail.

[Fewinhibitions]

Originally Posted by jamisjake

cool pics--and nice touch with Linus playing the piano!

Schroeder

[metalmtbr]

Nice one Few! How about this one? Peanut's dance rave:

I pretty much dance like the character with the orange shirt.