RR: Blackstar W/ A Little Exploring Thrown In

[maxwell]

So, I'd heard from a few riding buddies that there's this trail that drops along a ridge from Main Divide. It's supposed to drop you out back along Blackstar near the Hidden Ranch area.
Since I was planning on doing a decent length ride yesterday morning after work, I thought "why not, I'll go check it out".

The climb up Blackstar was plain ol' normal. It was nice and cool, and I only saw one rider heading down. Well, it was only around 7'ish so I didn't expect to see too many people out. As I passed where the trail was "supposed' to empty out onto the fireroad, I scouted around a bit while pedaling by. I didn't see much of anything that looked like a trail comming down.

Once I reached my drop in point I checked things out, lowered my seat, (I love my Gravity Dropper) and down I went.

Drop in to the ridge..


Looking back up..


The trail was there, but it was pretty overgrown.




I thought this was a pretty good view!




The trail continued to be faint, but fun. It actually had a little flow to it in some spots.





You didn't want to get too close to the edge in some spot's though.





Here it starts to lose a little elevation fairly quick.





As I was descending the steeper part of the ridge, I was quickly reminded why I should have put on my full leg armor while exploring new trails.
I'm guessing that I hit a stump, but I'm not really sure.
I didn't crash, but I did come to a stop awfully quick.
My shin felt like it had ripped wide open. Lucky for me it didn't. I just got scraped a bit, but swelled up a lot.



OUCH!



This shot is looking back up, and what I'd just ridden down.....


More ridge to decsend. Where'd that trail go?



I'll just pedal up this way and see where it goes....



Bad move!

After going down a bit, and deciding I didn't want to hike back up this stuff, I plowed my way on down.

Looking back up. This was ugly!


But relief was in sight!



After getting back out onto the road, a couple of riders rolled up. They looked a little puzzled on where I'd just came down from. I told them about my little addventure, and I think they thought I was a little crazy for doing such a ride by myself.
After thinking about it, they may be right. I may be just a "little" crazy. I may be going back, and making a right, insted of going left like I did this time.
I think this could be a cool trail with a little ride time.

Here's a link to MotionBased for some ride stats;
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/i...kValue=5148618

[DeeZee]

Doing sheeet like that by yourself is nuttier than a squirrels turd

Need to check that trail out!

[CalEpic]

Very nice. New dirt is always good.

C

[ericfoltz]

Most of that ridgeline and all of Hidden Valley is on private property.

As much as I like finding and riding new trails, I don't think developing ST (or riding those that are already there) on PP in the Blackstar area is a good idea with the attitudes of some of the property owners.

The forest service map and topos of the area show the parcels that are still privately owned.

[dstepper]

Last time I talked to Adam I believe that Irvine Company has bought Hidden Valley Ranch. Thanks for the RR you will not get a poaching is bad lecture from me.

Dean

[CalEpic]

Biting my tongue...

[OMR]

It's always great to "discover" new trails... that's one of the lures of mountain biking. I would just reconsider when attempting this alone. If something should happen unexpectly (like a bad crash) back there, they might not find you for a very long time.

see you Sat.

[ocrider]

I think that may be called the stick trail...
The sate conservancy bought the Hidden Ranch Property. They tore down the ranch buildings and are trying to restore the property to its precolumbian state. The hope is that it will eventually be anexed to the national forest.

[dft]

hey crash

me and craig did almost the exact same thing like 9 years ago or so with the same amount of luck. ended back on blackstar with bloody legs. that failed attemp made friends not too likely to follow me on any future exploration juants!! when i saw your post, i was hoping it was a smashface or ladd ridge trail summary. good to know though the trail still doesn't exist!!