RR: San Gabes

[allison]

Ann and Andy popped Justin and my San Gabes cherry yesterday when they showed the two of us and Brian around!

Brian was feeling spunky and showed up pretty early to do an out and back on El Prieto.

We all met up at the JPL parking area around 10 and rode up the road to Sam Merrill to climb up to Echo Mountain.

The singletrack climb up is pretty good. We figured you climb around 1500ft in 2.5mi. Not super steep the entire time, but there are definitely challenging sections.

For a Friday, there were a TON of hikers. Mostly everyone (including us) was courteous and friendly.

We made it up to the trail intersection and most of us went and checked out the white ruins before heading over to the saddle where the Mt. Lowe Railway used to run.

From there we climbed up the fire road (which is super mellow) up to Inspiration Point. It was warm enough climbing, but as soon as you stopped and cooled down, it got cold, fast. We ate leftovers from Roscoes at Inspiration (it was also pretty cold up there) before heading back down Middle Merrill singletrack.

Ann and I couldn't feel our fingers (our gloves ran the gamut from Specialized Sub Zero to normal full finger summer/fall gloves). Even the short hike a bikes over the rocky sections and my HR running around 150 didn't warm them up. I came around a corner to Brian down in the bushes (which luckily stopped him from tumbling like 40 yards down into the valley) and Andy and Justin help bringing him up. My hands finally started to have a little feeling, and Ann's were slightly warming up by the time we all got situated and started off again.

This was the first time I'd used my Specialized Phenom saddle on any technical singletrack. I'd gotten quite used to getting behind the saddle on my Laser V for drops and stuff and had no problems, as long as I wasn't wearing Oakley baggies. Since I've got a full seat post clamp, instead of a quick release, my saddle always stays put where it works for climbing.

At any rate, I got behind the Phenom and literally got stuck after a small drop. I almost fell trying to recover. Happened again a few times, so I ended up walking down all the ties at the end of the singletrack, and it kept me wary of the small drops the entire way down Sunset.

Needless to say, I was holding up Annie on the Slowmad pretty good on the descents.

We got back down to the white ruins with only Brian giving up a little blood and no other issues. Back over to the saddle we headed (after shedding the warm layers for the descent).

From there we descended the small bit of road. A hiker that we passed on our way to the saddle had apparently not only knocked over a few big rocks into the middle of the trail, but had also dragged a bunch of tree branches onto the Sunset singletrack. Ridiculous.

We made it down with Andy having sliced his sidewall near the bottom, so having to add a tube.

The singletrack down to the campground was pretty cool, and the climb out on Brown Mountain wasn't too bad. Temps were a little nicer down there. We finally reached the El Prieto singletrack, and I think all had a blast descending it. The creek crossings weren't too bad.

We saw some miniature horses on the paved road out.

Ann and Andy's mountain biking guide suggested a southern BBQ joint on Lake, so we stopped there to eat. It was pretty good!

All in all, a great day!!









Justin climbing up



Andy



Ann on a switchback



Can you spot Brian?



Progress





A few b/w shots for you

















Rider down





The boys waiting for us on Middle Merrill



Brown Mountain







Annie on El Prieto



Me on El Prieto

[Pain Freak]

Welcome to the Gabs.There's a ton more out there to ride, but that's kind of the classic. I like Chilao and Mt Wilson trail more though. Chilao still has some snow, but people are riding it.

[tkblazer]

post it up mike, i wanna try out those trails... i'm just going to follow you

nice RR allison, once again i'm left out of the loop ... when will i ever ride with My Mann's again ....and no i'm not doing the new years eve ride

[allison]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

post it up mike, i wanna try out those trails... i'm just going to follow you

nice RR allison, once again i'm left out of the loop ... when will i ever ride with My Mann's again ....and no i'm not doing the new years eve ride

It was kinda last minute. Andy didn't know until Roscoes after the loop that he had Friday off, and we called Brian around 10 that night to see if he was interested.

We may head out there again for a "training" ride if we get tired of the Santa Ana's

Otherwise maybe an off weekend in March

You weren't working??

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by allison

You weren't working??

i was, i just like giving you crap

[Hanzo]

Nice RR Allison. No water crossings, Im sure A&A like it better then last weekend. Both trails are great but getting wet socks when its cold isnt the best feeling. Welcome to Gabes. Glad you made the trip up, hopefully it didnt disappoint. Thats 3x weeks in a row for A&A!

[CalEpic]

That's a great loop. We did that when everyone shuttled a few weeks back. It's nice not having to retrieve a vehicle at the end of the ride.

C

[Waldo]

Nice RR Allison. The only problem is, every RR you post creates more material for your calendar! I especially like the B&W of the Niner with the old mining equipment.

Methinks it's time for an STR OC/IE San Gabes Invasion Ride....well, maybe in spring when it warms up a bit.

[dstepper]

Glad you guys made it out there...like Mr. Freak there is better stuff out there than what you rode. It is just that it is close to town therefore you have the weirdos and lots of hikers.

Middle Merrill is not a good trail to decided to go off the trail. Brian was lucky than can out with just blood loss. If you know where to look you can find some huge training climbs out there.
Dean

[Nagaredama]

Saw you guys loading up. I was on the Yeti a couple cars over waiting for my shuttle mates.

Glad you guys had fun. I thought some of those rocks and fallen trees looked out of place. Generally the hikers are very and super stoked to see bikers riding the trails.

[mazer75]

Hey, is that first picture of gate at the top of Lake Ave? How long is the ride from the JPL/Windsor lot to that starting point?

Awesome RR, thanks!

[Acadian]

so jealous...here in NorCal it's been raining, so the conditions aren't that great!!!

thanks for the RR!!!

[allison]

Originally Posted by mazer75

Hey, is that first picture of gate at the top of Lake Ave? How long is the ride from the JPL/Windsor lot to that starting point?

Awesome RR, thanks!

It's just a few miles. Really wasn't that bad.

[Dino Brown]

The San Gabriel's?
Looks pretty amazing. How many HOURS from Southern California are these glorious riding trails?

All kidding aside, glad you enjoyed yourselves. As Steppie and Mr. Freak pointed out, you "ain't" seen nothing yet!

Allison... Justin.... Next time!

[allison]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

The San Gabriel's?
Looks pretty amazing. How many HOURS from Southern California are these glorious riding trails?

All kidding aside, glad you enjoyed yourselves. As Steppie and Mr. Freak pointed out, you "ain't" seen nothing yet!

Allison... Justin.... Next time!

If anyone wants to email me route directions for like a 40-50 mi route out there, please do!!

[Schecky]

Beautiful pics - as usual. Love the B/Ws!
Glad you got to the Gabs.

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by allison

If anyone wants to email me route directions for like a 40-50 mi route out there, please do!!

Don't worry, you will get them!
Usually better to go with a guide. Some trails can get a bit confusing!

[allison]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Don't worry, you will get them!
Usually better to go with a guide. Some trails can get a bit confusing!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it... find us a guide that is fast enough to keep up with me, but not too fast like Brian that they get sick of waiting for me.. and wants to do a training ride out there Small group, preferably...