RR: Of mules and angry old men: an afternoon at Chantry Flat

[KBL]

No pics, sorry! Just the same...

The break in the weather and my dire need for a ride sent me to Chantry Flat Saturday afternoon. I saw the posting for the ride at Mt. Lowe, but the snooze button was too easy to reach that morning.

I rolled up and parked in the pack station parking lot. If you're unfamiliar with the pack station, it's the last of its kind in the United States. Big Santa Anita canyon is home to about 80 cabins that were built in the early 20th century. Adams Pack Station at Chantry Flat serves the cabin owners by supplying them with transportation for building materials, propane tanks, garbage service, etc. It's not uncommon to encounter the pack train while on the Gabrielino Trail between Chantry Flat and Sturtevant's Camp. If you do see the pack train, pull over and wait for them to pass. My experience so far with the pack train owners is that they're reasonable and friendly...they just need your respect and cooperation if your paths cross while on the trail. The pack train has the right of way.

Adams Pack Station website: www.adamspackstation.com

There's often parking at the pack station even if the Forest Service parking lots are full. On weekends, the pack station cooks lunch. The menu is not extensive, but the food is good. A simple hot dog tastes great after a hard ride.

I rode Upper Winter Creek. It's a technical trail with lots of shade and an equal amount of slopeside exposure. There are four main obstacles I try to clean every time. First, there's a rapid-succession rock garden leading to a left-hander about a half-mile in. Next is a water pipe that you have to duck under. About a mile and a half later, there's a boulder that has to be negotiated--up and over, no alternate line. The last 'big one' is the dropoff that's been featured in other RR's. I got three out of four, with a dab at the first rock garden. Feeling good.

Mt. Zion was calling, so I turned left and headed up. I cleaned several (but not all) switchbacks, and only had to push a few yards during the 2.5-mile ascent. The climb takes you up 1,000 feet to a trail sign in a saddle. The next mile and a half are pure singletrack joy--swooping turns, a constant shade canopy, and minimal climbing.

I dropped onto the Gabrielino Trail next to Sturtevant's Camp. The trail sign had a temporary warning sign fastened to it, advising caution to those attempting the Sturtevant Trail up to Mt. Wilson. A hiker died there a couple weeks ago when she slipped in the snow-and-ice conditions and slid down the slope. I reflected for a moment, reminded that even though I was close to the city, I was still in a genuine backcountry setting.

Sturtevant's Camp is like Adams Pack Station: a living piece of history. It's well over 100 years old. Sturtevant's features several cabins, hot and cold running water (propane-heated), an outdoor water fountain that's accessible all the time, a loud-and-proud dinner bell, and a huge swing.

Sturtevant's website: www.sturtevantcamp.org

I didn't need water, and felt no urge to use the swing or the dinner bell this time. I turned right and headed down the Gabrielino Trail back to Chantry Flat. Like the rest of the Big Santa Anita Canyon trails, the Gabrielino has several stream crossings, is shaded, and is a technical delight. I was surprised to see no one at Spruce Grove campground, but I did encounter a group of friendly backpackers stopped at Cascade Picnic area. The rest of the switchbacks swooped and flowed, and I noticed quite a bit of recent trail work, along with random 'evidence' of the mules' passing by.

I bypassed the 'hucking rock' at Fern Lodge junction, thinking of Hanzo and Grandpa's respective hucks from a previous ride--Sprockethead, you hucked that too, right? The Gabrielino Trail between Sturtevant Falls and the bottom of the paved hill ('Heart Attack Hill') is especially popular with hikers, so I cautiously went fast where it was clear, and slowed down and passed hikers with friendly greetings when I saw them. So far, so great. The ride had been everything I needed.

Heart Attack Hill is little more than a mile long, but it's a stiff climb back to the parking lot. My middle ring got used there, but the granny screamed for attention and I couldn't say no. A glance up the hill revealed assorted hikers, and the mule pack train on the ascent.

I cranked past an old man ambling up the hill, greeting with a 'pardon me.' I was instantly pulled into a world of anger. "THERE'S A PACK TRAIN UP AHEAD. YOU NEED TO WALK YOUR BIKE!" he bellowed. I wasn't breaking any rules of etiquette, so I decided that there was no reason just to take it unanswered. "I'm not here to cause trouble," I replied. "I'm being careful." The walking fossil was unimpressed. "I'VE BEEN IN THIS CANYON WAY MORE THAN YOU. I'M JUST TELLING YOU IN A FRIENDLY WAY THAT YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF THE PACK TRAIN." Since he appeard about the same age as the surrounding granite outcroppings, I had no doubt as to his familiarity with Big Santa Anita. "You don't seem friendly to me," I came back. Any more discussion was pointless, so I clipped back in and pedaled toward the hilltop.

I approached the pack train slowly, and finally caught it two turns later. The pack train operators saw me, and I called out "Am I OK?" "Please walk your bike past us, it freaks the mules out if you ride by," said a man with a smile and a neatly trimmed beard. "We'll pull over at the turn and you can ride again after you pass us. You didn't want to keep riding anyway, right?" "Well, actually I did, but this gives me an excuse to come back again and again. I really appreciate everything you guys do here. I parked in your lot and paid my $5." "Thanks! She's one of the owners of the pack station," he said, indicating toward the athletic middle-aged woman he stood next to. I walked the requested distance, saddled back up, clipped back in and cranked to the pack station parking lot.

I'd returned to the pack station too late for lunch, so no post-ride hot dog for me. I was in the middle of changing into non-sweaty clothes when the angry walking fossil ambled into the parking lot a few spaces away. I figured I'd give him one more chance to be cool, and maybe spread some good vibes on behalf of the mountain biking community. I walked over. "Sir, have you had many bad experiences with mountain bikers?" Here came the venting. "YES! ON THE TRAIL, THE PACK TRAIN COMES FIRST, HIKERS COME SECOND, AND YOU MOUNTAIN BIKERS COME LAST!" he spewed into the mountain air. "I know, that's why I was careful when I passed you," I calmly replied. "I support these people here. I have an Adventure Pass, and I willingly parked in this lot and paid money." More venting: "I HAVE A CABIN HERE, AND THIS PACK TRAIN IS MY LIFE LINE. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO THE PACK TRAIN, THERE'S GOING TO BE HELL TO PAY! THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY TO YOU." By that time, it was blatantly obvious I wasn't speaking to a reasonable person. "Feeling's mutual," I stated, and walked back over to my ride.

The pack train had arrived in the interim, and the operators I'd just spoken with on the trail heard our exchange. The lady came scurrying over. "I'm so sorry!" she said. "He's not part of the pack station! He's just a grouchy old man." "Yeah, I figured that. It's a good thing he didn't have a gun. I think he woulda shot me right then and there." She scurried back to the pack train and continued to unpack the mules.

I'd really enjoyed the ride, but the Nasty Fossil encounter put a huge damper on my day. I've probably been to Chantry a hundred times on my bike since '96, and this was the first time I'd spoken with anyone so angry and unreasonable. I hope I don't come across this old man again. He was carrying a walking stick that I think would look great protruding from his sphincter. I'm not sure I could be civil with him twice. Just the same, I'm not done riding Chantry, and I'm not done patronizing the pack station.

My advice? Be nice to other trail users, and yield the right-of-way. You'll do wonders for our public image, and preserve our trail access. Just the same, there are some people who won't be reasonable and who will cling to their prejudice and hatred. If you meet this guy in Big Santa Anita canyon, be cordial, and practice proper multiple-use trail etiquette. Don't spend any time trying to talk to him and make him like you. You'll be wasting your breath and emotional energy. He looks a little like Mickey Rooney, but is slightly taller.

If you're still reading this long, photo-devoid RR, then thanks for doing so. It was cathartic to write it.

Here's a link to a Chantry RR with photos:

Revisiting Chantry 10/13/07


And another:

Chantry Flats

[sdyeti]

Sorry a rotten apple had to spoil your day

[Waldo]

Did Art Tuttle move out of Blackstar?

Great RR - thanks for sharing the day, good and not so good.

[kanga]

That was a great re-count of your day... I've ridden up there plenty, but have only come across a small pack train once, and it wasn't an issue at all... we communicated and everything was fine.

I've dealt with pack trains elsewhere, packing gear into remote canyons for multi-day rafting trips in the wilderness. Packers are a great bunch in general, full of character. Those that I've dealt with have no problems with mountain bikes... they just think we're crazy for wanting to ride up the kinds of places we ride...

I think they're right!

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Thanks for being a good steward of the mountain biking community. Great ride report.

[un-kola]

Some people you just can't please,no matter what you do or say.- Lloyd

[JimN]

Great ride report! Thank you.

[Abui]

OK, he's a fossil, but what's his ethnic origin?

[OMR]

I see you ran into OMW (Old Man Walking)... my distant cousin on my wife's side.... other-wise know as the black sheep of the family!

[dubjay]

Great writeup. Thanks for sharing. Makes me really want to head up there. Trailhead is only about 10 minutes from my parents' house so I guess I can use this as an excuse to visit

[Hanzo]

Kevin,

Thanks for the ride report. I guess your broken foot is no longer broken. Thats great news. Good for you for trying to keep the peace with Mr Scrooge. I have seen the pack train awhile back going the opposite way to the cabins loaded with propane tanks and 5 gallon water bottles and the lady that was leading it was friendly like you mentioned. I wonder if thats the same lady that was running the pack station before the land slides of 2003???

" Since he appeard about the same age as the surrounding granite outcroppings."

[Schecky]

Great RR! I wanted to get up there on Sunday, but it took a back seat to boyscouting and work.
Some people are just going to be cranky, no matter what you do. I happily have never had a problem at Chantry.
I can't believe they haven't done anything to aclimate the mules to bikes.

[grandpa]

Thanks Kevin. Glad to hear you're healed and out riding again!

[MTBMaven]

Thanks for the write up. It was a joy to read. In my head I could follow every inch of your ride. Chantry is an amazing place. The folks that run the pack station are truly some great folks. Unfortunately a few mountain bikers have left a bad taste in their mouth.

[KBL]

Originally Posted by Abui

OK, he's a fossil, but what's his ethnic origin?

My guess is sphincteris chantryus, a distant relative of tuttleus hateemallus.

[Sewellymon]

YIKES!!!!! That old guy needs to have his ass pounded by an even older mt biker guy.

The guy who leads the pack train is Brad. I rode up the hill with him a couple months ago while he was pushing a wheelbarrow. We chatted it up (I wrote about this in an earlier thread- warning riders not to bomb Sturtevant to the Waterfall Friday AM ‘cause that is when he packs stuff into Sturtevant Camp).

Brad has a cabin down there in Santa Anita Canyon, as does the owner of the pack station –Deb. She is the forest elf you that you described. Lovely woman. Her Mom Sue lives in the little house at the pack station. All great people. Very cool that Deb bought the pack station (2 years ago?). And now they sell beer- so buy lots and buy often.

I’ll try to “out’ the crusty old dude. One of my neighbors owns a cabin in Santa Anita Canyon (plus her Dad has also owned a cabin down there for 25 + years). She might know who the angry old A-hole is. Be interesting to put a name to the face. I’ll face his wrath eventually, I am sure… and I can go toe-to toe with him- I started hiking those trails 38 years ago… .

[KBL]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Kevin,

Thanks for the ride report. I guess your broken foot is no longer broken. Thats great news. Good for you for trying to keep the peace with Mr Scrooge. I have seen the pack train awhile back going the opposite way to the cabins loaded with propane tanks and 5 gallon water bottles and the lady that was leading it was friendly like you mentioned. I wonder if thats the same lady that was running the pack station before the land slides of 2003???

" Since he appeard about the same age as the surrounding granite outcroppings."

I know the pack station changed hands in recent years. There was a lady named Kim Kelley who owned and ran the pack station for a few years, but recently sold it to the current owners. Kim was probably the one who owned it before '03.

Yeah, everyone I've met on the trail up there, mules or no mules, has been pretty cool with one blaring exception.