RR: Chilao

[KBL]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

I am not a big fan of this idea!

1) Not the most accessible trail in So Cal.
2) Plenty of places to fall/slide out
3) If someone were to suffer an injury, the fire department/hospitals "ain't" that close
4) If the Newbie Ride were to begin at 8am, what time would someone from Tustin Ranch have to leave their house?
5) I can think of a few more reasons.

Just an opinion..... If everyone decided it was a good idea, I would be more than happy to help!

You know me...early AM and KBL don't mix! I would never make others get up at the crack of dawn against their will. With daylight savings, there's plenty of time to do an extended loop even if you start at 2 pm.

Yes, Chilao is a bit of a drive. The upside is that the trails aren't crowded when you finally get there.

Dino, re-read my proposed route. It's no trickier than the extra credit sections of the Fullerton Loop. If you still disagree, we'll be "forced" to go on a Chilao ride to make a final decision.

As for lack of emergency help, Chilao is home to Forest Service Personnel residences, a CalTrans station, several youth camps, and the Newcomb's Ranch staff. There are definitely people around. You got me on the hospital, though, it's not nearby.

I, too, have AAM syndrome! That's why I usually go to Chilao with small groups (or just one other rider) and make very sure that I get to ride Mt. Hillyer and the Silver Moccasin to the Chilao road.

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by KBL

...Dino, re-read my proposed route. It's no trickier than the extra credit sections of the Fullerton Loop. If you still disagree, we'll be "forced" to go on a Chilao ride to make a final decision.

Kevin, you did bring up some good points!
I especially like the "idea" of heading up to CHILAO to see if it is worthy of a NEWBIE RIDE!

We can talk about it on the trail...

[dstepper]

It's not Chilao without the Hillyer Boulder Field....

The newbie's can work there way up to these trails. Best to introduce new riders to these trails in small groups.

Dean

[Abui]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Chilao/Newbie Ride? I am not a big fan of this idea!

1) Not the most accessible trail in So Cal.
2) Plenty of places to fall/slide out
3) If someone were to suffer an injury, the fire department/hospitals "ain't" that close
4) If the Newbie Ride were to begin at 8am, what time would someone from "Tustin Ranch" have to leave their house?
5) The air is thinner...
6) I can think of a few more reasons.

Just an opinion..... If everyone decided it was a good idea, I would be more than happy to help!

...) Limited parking
...) Sandy washouts

[Pain Freak]

Chilao without Hilyer and Silver Mocc, just ain't worth doing. I don't think this is what I'd consider for a newb ride. Lets let them work up to it, call it a A+ beginner ride? Not a newb ride fershure.

[andy aka rut]

Chilao... wow its been a few years. I gotta go again.

As far as a newbie ride?? I think it should be an intermediate ride. I would hate to see a newbie in "tennis shoes and white socks" out of their element back there. Maybe even have requirements or strong recremendations... pads for example.

Looks to me like KBL should be the ride leader... time to step up my friend!!!

[Edog]

I ride up here alot & it does take time to get there from the OC. Normally takes me 2 hours with little traffic.
I think we should make a weekend out of it. The camp site is cool plenty of great local riding options we could do Chilao Sat & Strawberry sun. We could also run some shuttles down from Red BOX to JPL. Not to mention plenty of beer. I'm sure just the word BOX will spike Justin's interest!
I'd agreethat this isn't a newb ride. The Vetter mountain loop is pretty easy, people can always just do the first loop & not the second, but it is a long way to drive if you aren't going to ride the whole thing.
Late April early May would be a good time

[Sewellymon]

I am absolutely hooked on Chilao and the surrounding environs. Riding above 5,000' is where life begins (and gets best at 8,000', or even 9,000 when nobody is looking...

p.s. lots of noob ride possibilities if you combine mostly fireroads with some of the easy singletrack that abounds (silver moc from chilao to alder creek/ vetter, for instance

[JoeTruth]

I think doing a group ride @ Chilao is a great idea but I would strongly recommend against calling it a "newbie ride". Aside from what's been mentioned, beginners are not going to like being at 5K plus. I think an intermediate/advance ride is more fitting.

The intermediate (B) group can call it a day after dropping down from Hilyer and Silver Moc and making a left vs. a right on the fire road going up to Vetter and back to cars @ Charlton day Campgrounds.
The A Group could continue on up to Vetter and the fire lookout station. Good thing about this ride, there is no real exposure. Some very short tricky sections which can easily be walked but nothing that's going to frighten anyone. Some simple stats...

Permits: A Forest Adventure Pass is required to park in areas designated for this ride.
Distance: 18 - 24 miles depending on options and side trips
Elevation Gain / Loss: 2,200 to 3,200 depending on options and side trips
Aerobic Difficulty: Strenuous, mostly because of the elevation.

As a rule of thumb, if you can't climb up to Brown Mtn. saddle without stopping and feel exhausted by the time you get there, this might not be the ride for you.

If anyone is interested, myself and a couple of other STR tools (which includes me) are most likely doing a weekday ride next week. PM me for more info, if you're interested. It will be a very mellow pace.

Here's a great map of the figure 8 loop. IMO, it's best done starting @ Charlton and crossing the road to Mt. Mooney. A little extra fun and when you're done, you're back to your car.

[integradriv3r]

This looks like a ride I need to be doing in my near future. Someone should set something up for a possible summer time trip. Oh and yeah newbie ride in a big forest doesn't sound like a good idea.

[KBL]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

Chilao... wow its been a few years. I gotta go again.

As far as a newbie ride?? I think it should be an intermediate ride. I would hate to see a newbie in "tennis shoes and white socks" out of their element back there. Maybe even have requirements or strong recremendations... pads for example.

Looks to me like KBL should be the ride leader... time to step up my friend!!!

Steppin' up!

From everyone's input, it doesn't sound like we can make everyone happy with a single ride.

Lack of parking?
Sandy washouts?
Huh? I've honestly never had those troubles up there. There are plenty of parking pullouts off of Angeles Crest that a Toytoa Echo could successfully negotiate--I've done it! If the ride happens when the gated roads into Chilao are open, there's plenty of parking, and paved parking at that. Yes, Adventure Passes (or willingness to pay parking fines) will be required.

You guys are probably right that much of Chilao doesn't qualify as a newbie ride, however there's still some stuff up there that's newbie-friendly. Why should newer riders stay away from a beautiful area just because they might not be up to riding all the gnarly stuff?

I need to qualify the term "newbie." I'm not thinking of someone who is completely new to mountain biking, or who has just decided to get off the couch. I have in mind someone who frequents the Fullerton Loop and who has a base level of fitness and bike handling ability. This same rider should also have a decent bike, i.e. something that's capable of handling the Fullerton Loop without self destructing. Obviously, this doesn't include a Huffy with old-style caliper brakes and bolt-on steel wheels!

Maybe a re-phrase or re-definition is in order. How does "San Gabes Newbie" sound? Going from a place like the Loop or Chino Hills straight to Chantry or Mt. Lowe is a trail-style culture shock. Going from the Loop to the fire roads and easy (easier) singletracks of Chilao is a great introduction to what the San Gabes have to offer.

I think Dino and I need to do a little pre-running--camera in hand--and go from there. Expect a "Prerunning Chilao" Ride Report sometime soon.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

I think doing a group ride @ Chilao is a great idea but I would strongly recommend against calling it a "newbie ride". Aside from what's been mentioned, beginners are not going to like being at 5K plus. I think an intermediate/advance ride is more fitting.

The intermediate (B) group can call it a day after dropping down from Hilyer and Silver Moc and making a left vs. a right on the fire road going up to Vetter and back to cars @ Charlton day Campgrounds.
The A Group could continue on up to Vetter and the fire lookout station. Good thing about this ride, there is no real exposure. Some very short tricky sections which can easily be walked but nothing that's going to frighten anyone. Some simple stats...

Permits: A Forest Adventure Pass is required to park in areas designated for this ride.
Distance: 18 - 24 miles depending on options and side trips
Elevation Gain / Loss: 2,200 to 3,200 depending on options and side trips
Aerobic Difficulty: Strenuous, mostly because of the elevation.

As a rule of thumb, if you can't climb up to Brown Mtn. saddle without stopping and feel exhausted by the time you get there, this might not be the ride for you.

If anyone is interested, myself and a couple of other STR tools (which includes me) are most likely doing a weekday ride next week. PM me for more info, if you're interested. It will be a very mellow pace.

Here's a great map of the figure 8 loop. IMO, it's best done starting @ Charlton and crossing the road to Mt. Mooney. A little extra fun and when you're done, you're back to your car.

Great map Joe...thanks. It does leave out a excellent section of Silver Moccasin from Three Points to Horse Flats.

[maniacal]

Well, as I do understand everyones concern about a newbie ride, I did take my son Damien up there once (13) He really dug the hell out of it. Before this it was Bonelli twice and Marshall once. I think if it is kept to small groups of three-five newbies with a couple of at least Marshalls as a prerequisite and a proficient guide, it would be a great experience. I also took my loony ex girlfriend and she had a blast! The route I took them on is the only place I would personally ride alone, because if you fall you will only hit manzanita bush and boulders. We parked at Horse Flats and went up the asphault fireroad to the top and made a left turn into the single track. Minimal climbing except for that one (fun) climb! Then back to the cars. It is shortish and sweet. My son and I had some snacks and did the loop a couple more times!! So there!

[JoeTruth]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Great map Joe...thanks. It does leave out a excellent section of Silver Moccasin from Three Points to Horse Flats.

The map might have left it out but if you're referring the the silver moc section (11W06) starting from Horse Flats, down to the paved road, I didn't forget about it. That's a must and a no-brainer part of the ride. You're absolutely right, Dean. Excellent indeed.