RR: West Horsethief/Trabuco Christmas Tree ride

[genusmtbkr5]

Well I decided to join in on this years Christmas Tree ride. This ride is done by several WS members every year to decorate the Christmas Tree on Trabuco. I really didn't know if it was going to go down because of the weather, but I heard it was on, rain or shine. So I packed my backpack with chocolate chip cookies(I baked myself- ), crackers, cheese wiz, eggnog and a 12 pack of Tecate. Man it was heavy.

CC and Tim aka Jasonmason decided it was a great idea to join me, so planned on heading to the trailhead around 6:30am and be heading up WHT by 7:30. I was running late and so were Tim and CC. When I arrived at the wash area, I saw signs stating the road was closed due to flooding. Well, there goes that idea. So we geared up and started about 7:15am on that journey that everyone loves, The Trabuco Creek Rd.

We hit the trailhead about WHT about 8:40 and start our Ride/hike up WHT. Finally getting to the Main Divide at 10am. The Main Divide got a good soaking so the road was soft, but not muddy and made for a tough grind. We got to the top of Trabuco around 10:40 and started our descent towards the tree. It didn't take long before we ran into a few WS members, Suzanne and Mark, Steve T. and Calvin heading up Trabuco. They were headed to Los Pinos so they could go down Bell Ridge. Calvin was going to run it!

We finally get to the tree and see somemore familiar faces, we even had an "ocrider" sighting. We ate some snacks, decorated the tree and celebrated the forest. Good times for sure. Oh it was cold, so cold it hailed and I heard later there was snow on Los Pinos, but still good times.

The trails were in great shape. What can you say about WHT, the rains did it good, but still no picnic to go up. I had a blast riding today. Thanks to Tim and CC for joining me and the other WS members at the tree for sharing some food, drink and laughter. I would be up for this route again soon.

[genusmtbkr5]

More pics

[ocrider]

thanks for the RR Gene. All I can say is Bell ridge was amazing! It was so much fun and in awesome shape. I was feeling really cold and Bob's warm fj at the trail head sounded good. But CC and the BGR made me go to Bell and im glad they did.

[TBlazen]

Now that's what committment is all about. Nice work all...

[Pain Freak]

One of my OC favorites, but the cold would of kept me home. Hats of to you studs and studette! Cathy you rock!

[CC]

Wow what a ride! I really had no idea what was in store for me. The trails were in just about perfect condition, well expect Trabuco Creek RD...it was mud-dy! It was the first time for me up these trails so I didn't know what to expect. I mentioned to Gene that the 2 .5 hike up WHT was going really hard for me, because of some foot problems. IT WAS hard and I was in some pain thinking......is there really a trail down that's going to be worth all this pain going up. I shook it off several times....and just kept going up and ride where I can. Then finally at the top. Man the views from WHT were absolutely beautiful, but it's not a fun climb getting there.

Now over the Muddy Divide and to Trabuco. Ahhh Trabuco..now that's a sweet trail, and finally I get to go down! But a short way down we meet up with the WS peeps, where we hung out and told stories for over an hour. The sardines, anchovies and smoked oysters tasted so good after that hellatious climb. Had a brew and a few shots of something that warmed my belly (Gene/Tim remind me what that was). And can't forget the home made CC cookies, thanks Gene. It was so great meeting some more of the warriors. It was great seeing Matt again too, it's been awhile. Then some of the WS guys head out and start there climb to Bell Ridge thanks guys, it was fun.

After the WS members went on Tim, Gene, Bob and myself cleaned the area and started heading down Trabuco. That trail is awesome! I felt like I was really flowing down that trail. Some of the guys said that it would be cold going down, but I was smart a put a hot rock in the back of my jersey and it kept me warm all the way down. hahaha!

I'm so glad that this area wasn't burned by the recent fire. I would have missed out on something really special. I don't know what that area is like during the summer, but it was so nice and fresh after the recent rain.

All I can say is good times!!! I'm up for it again next year! (the WS Christmas tree thingy that is, I'll be back up riding them hills much sooner than that for sure)

~CC

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Great ride report Gene. Really sorry I couldn't make it. Looks like the weather made for low attendance this year.

One friendly comment - you need a better camera. I know it takes alot of effort to stop and shoot pictures and then label and post them. You did all of that perfectly but your camera looks like it is holding you back.

When you're ready to get a new one, talk to me.

KeepsWhatHappens

[Pilas]

Great pics. Gene!
I really love the way the forest looks in wintry rainy conditions. It almost looks like a completely new trail.

[rushak]

Did a ride down Trabuco trail today. My buddy shouts out...did you see the Christmas tree? I turn around, (apparently I passed it without seeing it) and sure enough there was a X-mas tree. I thought to myself....who the hell would do that? Now I know ;-). Tree looks great!

[Jman]

Nicely done guys! It's also nice to see that some of the STR riders walk their bikes just like me!

[xhuskr]

[Hanzo]

Nice ride repot Genus. Way to get in the xmas spirit.

[OMR]

Nice job Gene... but, suggest you rest those knees for a day or so...

Rest is a weapon too!