RR: Chilao Flats - Silver Moccasion Excursion

[MTBBill]

Back in the middle of December, I spent a full day playing in San Gabriel Mountains and a wee bit of snow. Getting into the San Gabs means a bunch of driving for me for a single day trip but the more trails I ride there the shorter the drive seems. My buddy, MrMountainHop considers the San Gabs part of his "home range" and he has been scoping out less trammeled routes. On this day he would show me some classic goodies as well as a lesser known trail or two.

Here are a few pictures:


Mount Hillyer


Just enough snow to be interesting.


There were some wide open sections along the Silver Moccasin National Recreation Trail.


We did our share of climbing as well.



A path less traveled.


According to where you are at in a ride, this could be a very bad view. Not the case this day.

This was a great ride that was finished off with good brews and food.

Here is the full story, maps and pictures.

-Bill

[KBL]

Thanks for the RR.

I've ridden Chilao several times, but have never done the section of the Silver Moccasin between Charlton Flat and the Angeles Crest Highway.

I've also never done the trail from Barley Flats to Big Tujunga--I've read that it was overgrown and basically no fun. From your pics it looks like a good time; worth checking out.

For those who haven't been, Chilao is worth the drive. The rock gardens on Mt. Hillyer are full of swoopy turns and hang-on-tight dropoffs that are big enough to cause pain, but not severe enough to threaten life and limb (for most of us--don't go there, crash, lose your left arm and sue me). The Silver Moccasin section between Mt. Hillyer and the pavement is another grin-inducer. Banked turns, log-lipped water bars, and rocks ranging from football-sized to beach ball-sized all come at you in rapid succession. I'm not surprised that Bill didn't stop for pics--it's too much fun to ruin your rhythm for a photo.

Another significant feature is that the climbs in Chilao aren't as long or as severe as those in most corners of the San Gabriels. That's not to say they're not challenging, but if you've climbed the Mt. Wilson Toll Road or the Mt. Zion trail or the Lower Sam Merrill then you should know that the climbs in Chilao are shorter and mellower. The flip side is that the altitude at Chilao is higher: it varies from about 5,200 to 6,100 feet, so there's less oxygen than, say, JPL or the Lower Sam Merrill.

Newcomb's Ranch Inn is a great place for a post-ride re-fuel---it's open long hours and serves up tasty food!

A friend and I rode Chilao on New Year's Day. It was clear and freakin' cold! When the wind wasn't howling the temp wasn't bad. As soon as the wind kicked up I felt like a popsicle--this was with five layers on top, shorts and tights on the bottom, Stormsocks on my feet, full-fingered gloves, a Skullcap, a helmet liner, and "BioDome" tape over my helmet vents! Remind me not to move to Alaska...

[kanga]

I was out on Viper yesterday, and the wind was considerable. It definitely wasn't the 70 degrees that was being forecast for the LA basin. I was cold and ready for a warm soup when I got home.... But the views were really nice.

The San Gabs are highly under-rated....

[Pain Freak]

Bill thanks again for all your hard work publishing these rides. You've added a lot of joy to a lot of folks lives. I love your website.

I guess with this new bit of weather we have coming in it maybe to snowed in to ride much up there for a while. Chilao is my favorite Gab ride and I'm already thinking of when will I get to ride there again.

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by KBL

I've ridden Chilao several times, but have never done the section of the Silver Moccasin between Charlton Flat and the Angeles Crest Highway.

I really enjoyed that section, and even though the climb up to Angeles Crest Highway is a bear it was well worth it.

Originally Posted by KBL

I've also never done the trail from Barley Flats to Big Tujunga--I've read that it was overgrown and basically no fun. From your pics it looks like a good time; worth checking out.

By some people's standard, it could be considered overgrown. For me, slightly wider than the handlebars is all I need. The trail was a good bit wider than that pretty much the entire way. The periodic yucca in the corners can get you. The trail could however use a nip and tuck in spots. I am a big fan of raw and untrammeled trails so I really dug the Barley Flats trail. It however might not appeal to some people, particularly those who think for the amount of elevation you drop, it should be an speed ripfest with long sight lines. The trail is not quite that.

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Bill thanks again for all your hard work publishing these rides. You've added a lot of joy to a lot of folks lives. I love your website.

I guess with this new bit of weather we have coming in it maybe to snowed in to ride much up there for a while. Chilao is my favorite Gab ride and I'm already thinking of when will I get to ride there again.

Thanks! Glad to see the website is helping people get out and about. I have a bit of either wanderlust, or "Trail ADD" and mountainbiking and the site are my therapy. My own 12-step program -- "3 in the front, 9 in the back"

[biglimey]

Nice RR! always love riding up there, every ride there's something new.
First time I followed a guidebook, not saying which one after realizing it was pretty much useless. But thankfully ran into small group of locals who showed me all the cool stuff.

And I have to 100% agree with Pain freak, thanks for your hard work putting your website together, If I'm ever needing inspiration on where to ride, I'll check there. And if I'm away from the bike, nothing like watching one of the vids!!

[OMR]

Silver Moccasin, Hillyer, Chilao ... all trails I dearly love, Bill and yet don't ride them very much. Many thanks for the pics... beautiful... as always. Looking forward to out next ride together...

SC Single Tracks misses you

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by OMR

Silver Moccasin, Hillyer, Chilao ... all trails I dearly love, Bill and yet don't ride them very much. Many thanks for the pics... beautiful... as always. Looking forward to out next ride together...

SC Single Tracks misses you

Hopefully that ride will be soon. I just recently went on the "Walking Wounded" list from an non-mtb boo boo.

[biglimey]

Get well soon Bill! sounds like it's painfull!!