RR: Water falls, Fish and Newts.

[dstepper]

Route up West Fork San Gabriel River (WFSBR) to Cogswell Dam.

After working downtown LA for the last couple of days, getting out was needed. I like riding in the snow and rain much more than my bike does. I did not think to save any old cassettes, rings or chains to destroy. I have destroyed expensive drivetrains in the past riding in the snow and wet. SO I decided to ride the 8 miles of pavement and concrete up to Cogswell Dam. This is the prettiest easiest ride I can think of in So-cal.

Waterfalls: I have been in this canyon when the water was raging and dozens of waterfalls coming off the cliffs where you would never think water should be coming off. I was wondering where the 4-6 inches of rain they had went, it was not in the WFSGR. Cogswell Dam was drained. One of the pics you can see the difference of the muddy water coming down Bear Creek compared to WRSGR. Don’t get me wrong the where still many waterfalls, just not the rage I would have excepted listening to weather reports.

Fish: Looking at the river I would have thought it to turbid to be good fishing but the anglers where very happy. I watched a guy bring in a Rainbow Trout so I went down and talked to him. I 10 minutes he caught two more. I think it was the same fish as the river is catch and release.

Newts: Don’t see them very often down here unless you ride in the rain or turn over rocks near the creeks. They are much more fun than lizards. Lizards don’t hang out and scurry away. Newts are way cool and will hangout with ya.

Just a few couple miles further up the road in seemed to be snowing. It only rained on me when I was climbing up above the dam in the higher altitudes. Good day riding sorry no one else decided to join me.

Dean

[No Peench]

beautiful pics!

Although that newt seemed a bit camera shy.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by No Peench

beautiful pics!

Although that newt seemed a bit camera shy.

Here he is showing off and following me up the road.

[Red Hot Sloth]

Great pics, thanks for sharing

[Schecky]

Very nice! Coincidentally, I was just looking up this ride night before last.
We used to ride up there a lot years ago.

That newt is cool. Not brown like the ones by Sturd. falls.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Schecky

Very nice! Coincidentally, I was just looking up this ride night before last.
We used to ride up there a lot years ago.

That newt is cool. Not brown like the ones by Sturd. falls.

Nope they are Orange Bellied California newts. In Nor-Cal they get big, When I use to work for the State as a firefighter we used to put them in the bed of the fire boss. That was when we weren't shortsheeting or poring white flour in his bed.

Dean

[Shannon]

There are tons of the orange newts up and down Santa Rita Road. I agree, much more friendly than lizards and right now they're more my pace.

[Sprockethead]

I used to fly fish that river when I was first learning, a lot. I've never seen the West Fork swell up that much. Thanks for the photos Dean.

[stjunkie]

Don't tell me you are sneaking up on newts too?

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by stjunkie

Don't tell me you are sneaking up on newts too?

He's working his way up to buffalo....

buffalo.JPG

[dirtmistress]

That used to be a regular WOMBAT ride we'd do in the 90's. The stronger women would continue on the full 30 mile loop. All fire road. The rest would turn back at the damn. It's so pretty out there!

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by Shannon

He's working his way up to buffalo....

Attachment 12242

Yeah, he's a real rat.

[grandpa]

Thanks for the pics Dean! Thats a nice ride back in there. I've taken my grandson back in there a couple of times and he really enjoyed it.

[Tedroy]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Route up West Fork San Gabriel River (WFSBR) to Cogswell Dam.

After working downtown LA for the last couple of days, getting out was needed. I like riding in the snow and rain much more than my bike does. I did not think to save any old cassettes, rings or chains to destroy. I have destroyed expensive drivetrains in the past riding in the snow and wet. SO I decided to ride the 8 miles of pavement and concrete up to Cogswell Dam. This is the prettiest easiest ride I can think of in So-cal.

Waterfalls: I have been in this canyon when the water was raging and dozens of waterfalls coming off the cliffs where you would never think water should be coming off. I was wondering where the 4-6 inches of rain they had went, it was not in the WFSGR. Cogswell Dam was drained. One of the pics you can see the difference of the muddy water coming down Bear Creek compared to WRSGR. Don’t get me wrong the where still many waterfalls, just not the rage I would have excepted listening to weather reports.

Fish: Looking at the river I would have thought it to turbid to be good fishing but the anglers where very happy. I watched a guy bring in a Rainbow Trout so I went down and talked to him. I 10 minutes he caught two more. I think it was the same fish as the river is catch and release.

Newts: Don’t see them very often down here unless you ride in the rain or turn over rocks near the creeks. They are much more fun than lizards. Lizards don’t hang out and scurry away. Newts are way cool and will hangout with ya.

Just a few couple miles further up the road in seemed to be snowing. It only rained on me when I was climbing up above the dam in the higher altitudes. Good day riding sorry no one else decided to join me.

Dean

Back in the day (the 80's) we used to see the salamanders or newts (or whatever) all over the JPL watershed. Haven't seen one in ages. Might be us bikers... Glad to hear you saw some!

[Rockinthecasbah]

awsome i love cali newts i hope you washed your hands theyre toxic, o i just saw loves ha ha

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

awsome i love cali newts i hope you washed your hands theyre toxic, o i just saw loves ha ha

Yep, hence the glove. Thanks I maybe should have mentioned that they are dangerious so here is the warning.

Like other Taricha members, the glands in the skin of the torosa secrete the potent neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, which is hundreds of times more toxic than cyanide. This is the same toxin found in pufferfish and harlequin frogs. Researchers believe that bacteria synthesize tetrodotoxin and the animals that employ the neurotoxin acquire it through consumption of these bacteria. This neurotoxin is so strong that it is enough to kill most vertebrates, including humans.
Due to their toxicity, the California newt has few natural predators. Garter snakes are the most common, and some species have developed a genetic resistance to tetrodotoxin.

[sheclimbs]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Yep, hence the glove. Thanks I maybe should have mentioned that they are dangerious so here is the warning.

Like other Taricha members, the glands in the skin of the torosa secrete the potent neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, which is hundreds of times more toxic than cyanide. This is the same toxin found in pufferfish and harlequin frogs. Researchers believe that bacteria synthesize tetrodotoxin and the animals that employ the neurotoxin acquire it through consumption of these bacteria. This neurotoxin is so strong that it is enough to kill most vertebrates, including humans.
Due to their toxicity, the California newt has few natural predators. Garter snakes are the most common, and some species have developed a genetic resistance to tetrodotoxin.

So sorry I missed the newt hunting expedition! Guess I felt fufilled now that I have my own Javalina

Glad you enjoyed the rest of the day.