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VTVic

Rode solo this Saturday Lower Merrill to Sunset and ended the ride at El Prieto. I got to the trail head at about 1:00pm and the weather was perfect in the mid 60’s and very sunny and clear. Lots of hikers out there trying to enjoy the trails before the rain moved in again.
As usual after rainfall, LSM was nicely packed with very little muddy or rutted areas. Some parts of the trail were actually loose due to new rocks that had not yet settled from the rain. The only wash out I noticed was on the section going towards Mt. Lowe Rail Road. This is where the trail has given way many times before and has been repaired a few times. Through out the climb it was very noticeable that snow would be found not too far up Mt. Lowe Rail Road, and Inspiration Point looked very much snowed in. When I got to the paved road I encountered a rider on his way back down Mt. Lowe and informed that the fire road was unrideable about 2 miles up with a little less than a foot of snow. Wish I could have seen it, but with no one to motivate me to continue climbing I decided to head down Sunset instead.
The first section of Sunset was very beat up by the rain with new big rocks on the trail and pretty big nasty ruts. Almost looked like a whole new trail that was not necessarily fun. Some of the step down sections had pretty big rocks at the landing that almost sent me OTB more than once The rest of Sunset seemed untouched and fun as usual; very green and lots of ferns growing out of the rock walls....kicking myself for not taking enough pictures. The sound of water was very loud towards the last section of Sunset…very enjoyable.
The ride through El Prieto was very nice as well. Right off the bat I ran into a group of about 15 hikers stuck at a bottle neck on the first water crossing. Once they passed, the rest of the trail was pretty much for myself to enjoy. Through Sunset I started to worry that the water crossings would too high to cross but it wasn’t the case. I’ve actually seen lots more water in the past flowing through this area. I did encounter two sections of the trail where the trail had given way and a small slide came down over the trail. Both within about 100 feet from each other. Wonder how the trail made out after the last storm that came through
Again, not too many pictures.
On Lower Merrill...

last switch back with view of Mt Low Rail Road in the background

towards Mt. Low

sorry, no pics from Sunset
Millard

View of Down Town LA, ocean and Catalina. You can also see the arroyo...

towards El P

damage on El Prieto




on the way out...


El Prieto in Feb 2005

D. Diamond

Cool pics... El P. is right up the street so it's kind of a local haunt for me. Haven't ridden it since Thursday or Friday though.

VTVic

You're one lucky guy...

BrewMaster

Nice RR and pics. I need to get out there and learn the SG trails. They look so nice but I don't want to get lost.

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JoeTruth

Nice RR, thanks for posting! Knowing the unstable weather and the storm that was rolling in, I'm surprised you encountered that many people. I guess people have been bottled-up and needed to get out.

I know EP like the back of my hand but I can't place the washout location you posted. Can you give me more specifics on it's where abouts?

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kanga

Thanks for the pics... that slide looks like it needs attention. Corba's trailwork day for Feb 2 may have to be changed because of the amount of snow on Valley Forge...perhaps El P could use some TLC instead? We were also thinking about finishing the bottom of KB with some rock armoring around the two new switchbacks we built last year, but access (all the water crossings on lower gab) with bob trailers is a consideration.

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dstepper

Steve let us know about your trail plans, I think you are right about Valley Forge.

Dean

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allison

Looks very nice!! I can't wait to do that route again.

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cjwally

Nice RR...I would like to do this on February 10th or something. The snow should semi-clear before then. Would that work with others as well?

ShinKen

I'm in too!! but we should ride from the bottom to the top like last time ehh!!!

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dstepper

Not enough miles for you mutants...

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Rossage

Pics of the Lower Gabrielino as of 1:30 pm Monday, 1/28/08. Upper Ken Burton is in great shape but I only went halfway down from Brown Mtn. You can hear the rushing water in the Gabe' from the upper trailhead.
later, Rossage

Attached Images

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dirtmistress

Great photo's Vic! It looks really nice!
Lots of water out there! Finally! I'm in for any ride you guys plan!! looks like rain again this Sunday so hopefully the following week-end will be better!

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S54MCoupe

Diamond and myself did El P today... be careful, there are a few sections that are pretty narrow from being washed out, and some unexpected piles of dirt in the middle of the singletrack.

Aside from that, it's a-ok... but will probably need some work after the rainy season.

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davidB

anyone up for this on thursday?

there's one condition though, you have to lead the way. I only know EP lol

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S54MCoupe

Maybe myself and D Diamond on Thursday. I'm not sure, but we're both close to the trail.

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VTVic

The picture was taken where the trail reunites for the last time. Right when it splits, if you go right you go down by the stream and end up doing a steep quick climb to get to the arrow marking. If you go left, you end up taking a narrow climb where you'll find both damaged sections ending it with a small and narrow downhill section to get to the arrow marking. Hope that makes sense...that's the best I can describe it...

You will not be disappointed. IMO, this is the best time to ride the San Gabriels. Trails are packed, scenery is green, and the weather is perfect for any long climbs.

Cool, I think I'm in

Wish I could ride during the week...

By the way, watch out for poison oak, the stuff is all over the place including Sunset

D. Diamond

I'm game if you are.