RR: Lower Merrill/Sunset Ridge/El Prieto

[VTVic]

Wow, what a day for riding. Had an awesome time out there. A little cold at the beginning but the climb on the pavement and Lower Merrill made things a little warmer. A total of 7 riders showed up Henry, Bernie, Gabe, Dwight, Chris from San Jose , and yes, including a Tris sighting. By the way, Tris has been out for about 4 months but he pretty much took off on Lower Merrill along with Chris never to be seen until our next regroup at the ruins...good job billy goat. BTW, great meeting Chris from NorCal - great guy and awesome rider. Hope to see you again sometime up north...Great seeing all of you.
We parked at JPL and rode the pavement to Lake to avoid having to drive back to Lake and pickup vehicles. Trail was nicely packed as expected after the rains.
Only one camera out there so here are some of the pics...
on LSM...Bernie

Gabe

Henry

For those of you who ride this trail often, this is Mark in the background doing his usual trail maintenance. Mark and his brother Mike are usually out on LSM doing work. Very much appreciated!

rock steps with switchback right after...I've only seen Scott and James Qua do these including the switch back. I've gotten past the steps but never been able to conquer the turn...


last switch back with view of Mt Low in background and the begining of Suset (circle)...

Downtown LA. If you look closely right over the bush on the left you can actually see Catalina

regroup at White City ruins... LtoR - Dwight, Tris, Chris, Henry, Vic, Gabe, and Bernie

Leaving White City and towards Mt. Low railway





long way down...

LSM view from Mt Low Railway

on Sunset


regroup at Tris' "most memorable" spot on Sunset...you can see Tris in the far back staying away from the edge...

50 - 100 ft down to the water and almost a free fall...scary to think that this is where Tris went down about 5yrs ago and had to be air lifted...you're one lucky SOB. This area is right after the last two step switchbacks...

Henry

Tris and Dwight

Gabe crossing the stream at Millard

Bernie on Brown Mtn ready for El P...

on El Prieto

me on rock step

Chris showing me how its done...

[dstepper]

Nice pics Vic, I like the pic of the old railroad ties.

[Pain Freak]

Why do we always have to schedule good rides on the same day so much?Wow, 2 Tris sightings in the same week, one at dinner, and now back out on the trail. Where does this machine find the time. I mean with making all them babies and still finding time to work and ride? Sorry I couldn't make this ride, but I did ride. That biatch of a trail San Sevaine, again against the wind. We got like 6 hours of climbing in at an hour of descent. We did make it to Joe Elliot campground which is the halfway point, but only in mileage, it still has a lot of climbing after that point. So whats the next ERMTB ride?

[Hanzo]

Hey Vic, where your friend had to be airlifted you said its at the last two step switchbacks is that by the fork where if you go right it goes to the cabin and if you left its going to EP?

[stjunkie]

Nice pics. Sorry I didn't make it out there.

[BrewMaster]

Nice pics indeed. Thanks for the RR.

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Hey Vic, where your friend had to be airlifted you said its at the last two step switchbacks is that by the fork where if you go right it goes to the cabin and if you left its going to EP?

No this is where that rock is right smack in the middle of the singletrack. He went to put his foot down and put it into thin air and down he went. Scary day.

[VTVic]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Hey Vic, where your friend had to be airlifted you said its at the last two step switchbacks is that by the fork where if you go right it goes to the cabin and if you left its going to EP?

Yes, it is past the fork that leads to the cabin/creek. Perhaps about some 200 feet past that...