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dstepper

Matt, Lynn, Scott and I decided to go up and check the snow levels at some of the higher elevation trails in the San Gabriel’s. It was a good call, the temps up there where in the 60’s with a cool breeze. Way to early in the season to be riding in the 90+. The snow is a non-issue; trails clear except for a few small patches.

I like Chilao, for not a whole lot of climbing it gives back a lot of sweet techy downhills.

Dean

KBL

Very nice! It looks like the snow is a non-issue.

Pain Freak

Real bikers don't drive up to the trailhead....they ride their bikes up!

Brian & I did a road ride up to Newcombs and got passed by Matt & Scott. On the way back I looked to see if any other cars were there, but I didn't spot yours or Lynns.

Anyways we had a great ride too. There's something so fun about going over the speed limit and passing cars on a bicycle.

6K of climbing in about 55 miles.

dstepper

We where in Scott's truck going up Highway 2, just before passing Brian on his bike, I yelled out the window "nice legs" he gave me his Tom Brady glare, I'm going to kick your ass, look before he figured out it was us.

Mike, Lynn and I where in Scott's back seat.

Dean

Burner

another great day in the Gabs... conditions were perfect... tacky dirt and great temps.

Lynn with lots of blue sky above

Scott cooling off in the creek

Dean kickin it and enjoying the view

Last bit of snow for the season

Dean coming down Hilyer

Scott coming down Hilyer

I have some good video from today of Scott and Dean in action... but I need to figure out how I'm going to re-encode it so it's smaller (I shot it in HD)

project_d

I keep saying to myself that I've GOT to do this trail. Somebody should set up a group ride...hint, hint.

Burner

WTF? dunno why this didn't work

sheclimbs

Thanks for a great day boys. I always love riding Chilao. It's one of those trails that feels as familiar and comfortable as a dear old friend.

KeepsWhatHappens

Looks like an awesome ride. Silver Moccasin Trail is one of my faves. I'm jealous!!

Thanks for the RR!

OMR

What are your thought on making this trail a newbie ride? There are plenty of riders that haven't done this area and it's truely a beautiful place to ride...

Whatcha think?

DBD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burner

WTF? dunno why this didn't work

Is this it?

Looks like a fun ride. Was that Scott that bailed?

singletrack

Thanks for posting this. I was wondering how the snow situation was at Mt. Hillyer. Now I'll have to go to Three Points and do at least 6 loops from Horse Flats. Do you guys know if there's snow on Mt. Waterman? Probably a few more weeks wait to warrant the cost of gas.

dirtmistress

Beyond green with envy!
Next time you guys. Looks so awesome up there!

dstepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack

Do you guys know if there's snow on Mt. Waterman? Probably a few more weeks wait to warrant the cost of gas.

My guess is that we are a month or two away from riding Burkhart or Waterman. Anything with a North exposure and above 6,000 will have a lot of snow.

Dean

dstepper · 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMR

What are your thought on making this trail a newbie ride? There are plenty of riders that haven't done this area and it's truely a beautiful place to ride...

Whatcha think?

I think it would be a bad idea. People got seperated and off trail in Marshall Canyon. If you get off trail in the San Gabriels and lost it would be very bad. Besides that there is some gnar on the downhills and some climbs that would not be fun for the newbie...hell, there not fun for me.

Dean

mechmann

love chilao... wish it were closer! gonna have to get back up there this year.

dhshuttlemonkey

One of my favorite trails!

KBL

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstepper

I think it would be a bad idea. People got seperated and off trail in Marshall Canyon. If you get off trail in the San Gabriels and lost it would be very bad. Besides that there is some gnar on the downhills and some climbs that would not be fun for the newbie...hell, there not fun for me.

Dean

I think it's a good idea with a but...and it's a BIG but.

Any newbie ride at Chilao should have a carefully chosen route. This ride should be called "Intro to the San Gabes" or "Chilao 101" or something like that. This wouldn't be any ride for the inexperienced, or those without a decent fitness base.

Here's how I'd do it:

--Limit the group size to 10 riders; 2 guides who know the route (1 lead, 1 sweep) and 8 newbies.

--Avoid the Mt. Hillyer singletrack and avoid the Silver Moccasin section between the bottom of Mt. Hillyer and the Chilao Flat road crossing.

--The route: ride the Mt. Mooney fire road, the Silver Moccasin trail between the firefighters'/rangers' monument, take the fire road up to the Vetter Mountain fire lookout, and take the Vetter Mountain singletrack back down to the parking lot.

--This combo of trails would showcase the area well, but not expose riders to the boulder fields of Mt. Hillyer and the rock-choked water bars of the Silver Moccasin between Mt. Hillyer and the Chilao Flat road.

--The Silver Moccasin singletrack between the monument and the Vetter Mountain fire road is a lot of fun, as is the Vetter Mountain singletrack. Neither of these trails is what I would call "high r


KBL Powered by chocolate	Very nice! It looks like the snow is a non-issue. __________________ Tall riders, tall wheels. Short riders, short wheels. Makes sense to me!


Pain Freak Directionally Challenged	Real bikers don't drive up to the trailhead....they ride their bikes up! Brian & I did a road ride up to Newcombs and got passed by Matt & Scott. On the way back I looked to see if any other cars were there, but I didn't spot yours or Lynns. Anyways we had a great ride too. There's something so fun about going over the speed limit and passing cars on a bicycle. 6K of climbing in about 55 miles. __________________ "The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew—and live through it." — Doug Bradbury "When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me." — Emo Philips


dstepper Over the Hill	We where in Scott's truck going up Highway 2, just before passing Brian on his bike, I yelled out the window "nice legs" he gave me his Tom Brady glare, I'm going to kick your ass, look before he figured out it was us. Mike, Lynn and I where in Scott's back seat. Dean __________________ If I'm not lost or getting bushwacked, the trail was too easy. Prescott Valley Houses The Path


Burner STR Veteran	my pics another great day in the Gabs... conditions were perfect... tacky dirt and great temps. Lynn with lots of blue sky above Scott cooling off in the creek Dean kickin it and enjoying the view Last bit of snow for the season Dean coming down Hilyer Scott coming down Hilyer I have some good video from today of Scott and Dean in action... but I need to figure out how I'm going to re-encode it so it's smaller (I shot it in HD)


project_d Steve Peat Wannabe	I keep saying to myself that I've GOT to do this trail. Somebody should set up a group ride...hint, hint.


Burner STR Veteran	Video WTF? dunno why this didn't work


sheclimbs Bandito	Thanks for a great day boys. I always love riding Chilao. It's one of those trails that feels as familiar and comfortable as a dear old friend. __________________ Mountain biking is a life altering experience STJunkie Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life. John Muir


KeepsWhatHappens Warriors Society Member	Looks like an awesome ride. Silver Moccasin Trail is one of my faves. I'm jealous!! Thanks for the RR! __________________ KeepsWhatHappens


OMR Daughters = grey hair!	Grasshopper Dean.... What are your thought on making this trail a newbie ride? There are plenty of riders that haven't done this area and it's truely a beautiful place to ride... Whatcha think? __________________ OMR .... An elder grasshopper of the Tribe


singletrack chasing the dragon	Thanks for posting this. I was wondering how the snow situation was at Mt. Hillyer. Now I'll have to go to Three Points and do at least 6 loops from Horse Flats. Do you guys know if there's snow on Mt. Waterman? Probably a few more weeks wait to warrant the cost of gas.


dirtmistress Got any food?	Beyond green with envy! Next time you guys. Looks so awesome up there! __________________ http://www.bichonsandbuddies.com/ Shannon; "You see the problem is that God gave men a brain and a penis...but only enough blood to run one at a time".


mechmann Segregated non-bubb.	love chilao... wish it were closer! gonna have to get back up there this year. __________________ The Path Bike Shop - Love the Bike you Ride! Royal/661/Sunline e13 Utopia Optics


dhshuttlemonkey STR Veteran	One of my favorite trails! __________________ www.incycle.com http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Members/fquiroz/Home.aspx

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