RR: Upper Tujunga Loop

[MTBMaven]

Josh (JSlow) and I rode the Upper Tujunga Loop I came up with. Definitely a great ride and adventure. We started out with warm temps, no wind, and no clouds. The only thing that stayed constant was the lack of clouds.

The route for today was up Alder Creek Trail, fireroad to the backside of Hilyar (part of the Chilao Figure 8 ), Hilyar to Silver Moc all the way back to Upper Tujunga. The original plan was to climb up Upper T to Barley Flats. However I received word that the trail from Barley Flats to Upper T was closed.

We started out the ride having to bushwhack down to the trail (not a great start). After that though we were on really fun, narrow singletrack that bobbed and weaved up the hillside. The 29ers just rolled over everything. I could tell within the first 30 minutes my 1x9 was going to kick my butt.

A few photos of this section of trail:








After finishing the climb on Alder Creek we enjoyed a nice little downhill section, which ended just outside the historic Loomis Ranch. A "trail" took us on the other side of the creek on this narrow ass, steep ass, unrideable trail to the fireroad. That section sucked.

After the HAB we were treated to a brutal fireroad climb up to the fireroad heading from Chilao to Hilyar. Towards the top of the climb the winds picked up substantially. I was totally frozen after a short break at the junction. Luckily the next section of fireroad was pretty flat and would be a chance to relax...or so I thought. Turns out there were plenty of snow covered sections and riding through the snow was a real energy sapper. And it was cold.



The steep climb up Mt. Hilyar was more of the same.



Luckily the trail down from Hilyar didn't have any snow and was amazing as always. I didn't really take anymore photos after Hilyar because I have done that trail so many times and those that have been there know it's really cool. Those that haven't simply need to check it out.

Great ride. Lots of downed trees out there so be careful. Those that ride the area frequently will notice some trail maintenance has been done in some very helpful areas but have not taken the teeth out of anything. Another nice plus for today was the lack of people. We saw a few hikers taking a break near the summit of Hilyar but other than that we saw no one.

I am really loving my new ride. I will be putting a second ring and dérailleur on however. I was able to ride the 1x9 today but it took a lot of unnecessary energy. There were some steep climbs and I just didn't have the gears I wanted.

After we finished the ride we headed to Newcombs Ranch for Ortega Burgers and curly fries. Damn that place is good after a ride.

Ok one last photo of my new ride, just because I think it's so beautiful.

[stjunkie]

So how do you like the modified seat?

[dstepper]

Very nice thanks Brian, see ya Sunday. Glad you are digin' the new ride.

Dean

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by stjunkie

So how do you like the modified seat?

I love it. I don't care how much it weighs I think I might get one for my road bike as well. Carbon light everything and tank seat...doesn't matter it's what works for you.

[kanga]

Hans and I were up at Mt. Hillyer on Thursday, and there was plenty of snow up there too! Sounds like a great loop to do.

You can avoid the steep unrideable trail at the end of Alder by veering to the left just after the creek and riding up towards the houses. Then it's an easy, flat ride out to the fire road. Alder Creek to Chilao has been part of OTB's two-day Epic Chilao campout ride for the past few years.

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by kanga

You can avoid the steep unrideable trail at the end of Alder by veering to the left just after the creek and riding up towards the houses.

That part is private property.

[Jslow]

Finally had a chance to sit down... great ride! Ortega burger is a post ride must!

now all I need to do is figure out how to get the yucca out of my calf, and keep up with a guy who has 18 less potential gears. Ha.

[MTBBill]

Cool report. Where did you hear the Barley Flats was closed?

[MTBMaven]

From El Presidente (Hans) of OTB/CORBA. I think it has something to do with an endangered frog, which I totally support by the way, if I am correct. There are plenty of other trails for me to ride. I'm cool with ensuring natural diversity.

[dstepper]

No not the frogs again! I just can't keep myself from running them over.

[Bergsteiger]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

From El Presidente (Hans) of OTB/CORBA. I think it has something to do with an endangered frog, which I totally support by the way, if I am correct. There are plenty of other trails for me to ride. I'm cool with ensuring natural diversity.

Dr.
I like to save frogs too, and the South African Screeching Black Footed Spyder Monkey. They are precious little creatures, and people don't seem to take them seriously.

[kanga]

Originally Posted by MTBBill

Cool report. Where did you hear the Barley Flats was closed?

It's closed because it passes through designated critical habitat for the Southwestern Arroyo Toad, an endangered species. The habitat area was designated in 2001.

Some of us at CORBA would like to find out where the habitat actually is (presumably the creek at the bottom of the trail) so that the possibility of a re-route can be explored.

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by Bergsteiger

Dr.
I like to save frogs too, and the South African Screeching Black Footed Spyder Monkey. They are precious little creatures, and people don't seem to take them seriously.

Dude you kill me. LMFAO. Hope your ride was good today.

Hey send me those dates for Tahoe. The wife is interested.

[Bergsteiger]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

Dude you kill me. LMFAO. Hope your ride was good today.

Hey send me those dates for Tahoe. The wife is interested.

Ride was great, check out my RR. We are still waiting for details from the Bayer mothership. I am very anxious to hear how much of the tab they are going to pickup.
Will let you know as soon as I know.

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by kanga

It's closed because it passes through designated critical habitat for the Southwestern Arroyo Toad, an endangered species. The habitat area was designated in 2001.

Some of us at CORBA would like to find out where the habitat actually is (presumably the creek at the bottom of the trail) so that the possibility of a re-route can be explored.

Is this a seasonal thing or full-time? I'm coming up short on my google efforts. I'd like to get the info up on my site. I would not want to suggest to people to poach a cool trail when it is closed.