RR: Snowy Weekend_Chilao_SART

[stjunkie]

Saturday

I think it was Friday when Burner and I decided to go up to Chilao. Guess we didn't get enough snow last week on Strawberry. Started out at Charlton and climbed the dirt road towards Mt. Mooney. Temperature didn't seem cold until we started to drop down to Chilao.

Burner leading on the downhill


The road had some icy spots and I was spooked. Probably the slowest downhill I've had in a long time.
Took the pavement through Chilao and ascended another dirt road. Hit some more snowy patches on the way up.



Didn't take a break until we got to the top of Mt.Hillyer.
On the way to the top


Mat saw some riders on the road below but we never saw them or anyone else riding the whole day. The snow sometimes has a way of filling gaps in the rocks and making them look easy. Unfortunately I've ridden Chilao so many time I know exactly what is underneath.
Eyeing his line


Who needs suspension when you got 29


Traction was sweet on the way down. No sandy spots and no ice on the rocky sections.


Made our way through the horse camp and down through the rocky goodness section. Most of it was in the sun and free of the white stuff. The climb up and over to Chilao was a little tough in the snow. Went through the Campground and followed Silver Moch. down and then up into Charlton Flats. Started up the pavement towards Vetter and decided to climb the singletrack. We climbed almost to the top before heading back down.
Burner was in front all day on the climbs.


The most snow all day was on the way to Vetter


On the way down we branched right on the last section to get more singletrack in. Turned out it was new dirt for Mat.


It was a good day to ride


Sunday

Sart and snow was on the menu for Sunday and Sheclimbs and I were hungry. We got stuffed. There was more snow there than either of us had ever ridden in at SART. We were going to park at Glass rd but it was a little icy. We turned around and started at the Middle Control lot. The road down had a lot of icy sections. Mostly where the tracks of vehicle tires were. This downhill was slower than the one yesterday. If you had to cross the death tracks you were going down. Lynn tried to cross three times.
Icefall at the first swithback


Finally made it to the doubletrack and started climbing. We cleared some deadfall sections and portaged some others.
Got Snow


Ran across some crystalized snow sections that I've never seen before.


On the way down the singletrack we ran into some riders coming up. The first stream crossing was lower than I thought it would be.




Cleared some more deadfall sections on the way to Glass rd. Most of the leaves are on ground which gave us some nice scenery.


We took a short break a little ways past Glass Rd. We turned around a little ways beyond the first stream crossing before turning around. On the way we cleared some more deadfall and portaged some big trees. Only saw one set of bike tracks on this section and it looked like he had gone the other direction. Climbing some sections in the snow was starting to suck the life out of us.
This section wasn't bad


Lynn likey the Snow


After turning around it was a mostly downhill 3 mi funfest. It was at this moment I realized something; going downhill in snow is much more fun than climbing in it. We didn't stop until we got to the end of the singletrack.

Mmmmm...sugar coated logs




The climb out the dirt road wasn't too bad as long as you didn't cross the ice.

Funny thing after looking at my photo folders for the year. The first ride I did in SoCal was Chilao on Jan 13 and the second was SART on the 14th. I can't think of a better way to start and end '07.

After taking another look the third ride I did was Lower Merrill_Sunset_El P on and VTVic has already posted it for Sat. I almost have to ride it right.

[Dino Brown]

Amazing!!! You have inspired me to end my year with a San Gabriel's ride. Where to go...

Scott- How is the snow on Strawberry Peak?

[sheclimbs]

Way to bookend a wonderful year! Thanks Scotty

Snow Ride on SART January 2007

2ise4b8.jpg

[JoeTruth]

[SIZE=3]That's really good stuff, not to mention adventures as hell. I don't know about you crazies but that looks way too cold and slippery for my taste. You guys are all a little nuts. Good job and thanks for the RR and pics.

May I please see a picture of Nick in his blue/gray jersey? No ride is complete without it.



[/SIZE]

[allison]

Scott - awesome photos!! Really love the pics of SART (more familiar with that area). Looks gorgeous in the snow! Looks like you guys had a great weekend!

[sheclimbs]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

[SIZE=3]

May I please see a picture of Nick in his blue/gray jersey? No ride is complete without it.

[/SIZE]

We needed to leave Nick at home as he couldn't find the blue/gray jersey...

[Burner]

Damn Scott, back again for even more the next day? Couldn't get enough of the drift driving on icy roads eh?

Looks like a lot of snow on SART... big difference in the snow quality from the freshies last week on Strawberry to the crunchier, more slippery stuff at Chilao this week. Still good fun though! That climb back up to Charlton on the icy steep road was tough to walk even, but Vetter singletrack up and back, along with the (new dirt) silver mocassin finish were so worth it.

Thanks for being my personal papparazzi!

How is the snow on Strawberry Peak?

Dino, I bet there's not much snow left on strawberry peak. Maybe a little on the backside and in extremely shady spots.

[dstepper]

Thnaks for the RR Scott, had other plans and sorry I couldn't join you guys.

Dino you can alway go further up the hill and find better snow quailty. Like maybe Waterman!

[53-12]

Got to agree with Dino, those are some inspiring photos. All the great San Gabe write-ups lately are making me jealous to leave the foothills and head up higher.

[Hanzo]

Scott, Thanks for the RR and pictures. Nice job on the 29er Matt. 2days in a row for Lynn too.

[tkblazer]

looks cold....

[sheclimbs]

Matt, I figured you would wear the old guy out on Saturday so he'd go easy on me Sunday, no such luck I don't think Scott's legs ever GET tired!

Originally Posted by Hanzo

... 2days in a row for Lynn too.

Yes and unlike Scott, by Monday morning my legs felt like I'd done two hard days in a row! It hurts so good

[Burner]

Namsy you're a pansy

Originally Posted by sheclimbs

Matt, I figured you would wear the old guy out on Saturday

I tried!