RR: ITT/Coldwater

[genusmtbkr5]

Several of us decided it would be good day to do a ITT/Coldwater ride. Riders were Debbie(db250f) and Erik, Vickie, Donna(CaDownhilldoll), Ned, Jason(mtnbikej), and myself.

Debbie, Donna and Ned


The climb was nice as the temps were very cool in the morning.



We got lucky as the sun stayed hidden most of the day which kept the temps down. ITT is always a nice climb to the Main Divide.





We got the the top of upper HJ and regrouped before heading down Coldwater.

Coldwater was in great shape although it was just the top half. The lower half was steep and vey loose. All you could do is lock up the rear and come to a sliding stop at some point on your butt. Traction was so loose, even hiking down was tough. Didn't go OTB as I was ready for this time around. Only 1 flat today although I broke the carbon bottle cage off the bike on the last steep as I came to sliding stop.

All in all it was good ride. We met up with 2 other WS members Suzanne and Mark(freewheeler on STR) on the last steep descent and went for some much needed grub after. I would really love to hit this trail after some good rain. Maybe next time.

Here are the rest of the pics.

Vickie!


Ned


Regroup at The Main Divide


Continuing on




Upper HJ with Erik and Deb


At the turn




Coldwater



Hike-A-Bike

[BrewMaster]

Nice RR Gene. I was hoping to see pics of the slip and slide.

[dstepper]

Gene tell me if I am wrong but I have never read a report that said Coldwater was ever in good shape. That trail does not get much traffic and we have had a bunch on rain, it should be in OK shape now. I am beginning to think that just will always be a loose tough decent.

But you need to know I am a trail snob of the worse order. By the time I drive to that side of the mountain I can hit the San Gabs and be delivered the goods.

Dean

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

Nice RR Gene. I was hoping to see pics of the slip and slide.

Ya I put my camera away so I didn't damage it or lose it like I did my cell phone the last time I was there.

Originally Posted by dstepper

Gene tell me if I am wrong but I have never read a report that said Coldwater was ever in good shape. That trail does not get much traffic and we have had a bunch on rain, it should be in OK shape now. I am beginning to think that just will always be a loose tough decent.

The top portion was in good shape, the rest of it is what it is, loose, steep and tough. I'm going by what others have said that after a good rain, those tough loose descents will be a little more ridable. With that said, I rode more of it this time than last time which was last summer. As it is now, I had both brakes locked up and way back behind my back tire and still couldn't control my "slide". Once I got sideways, I just let go of the bars and slide on my butt till I stopped. Vicki heard me coming down and thought I was riding till she saw me sliding on my butt and couldn't stop laughing.

Originally Posted by dstepper

But you need to know I am a trail snob of the worse order. By the time I drive to that side of the mountain I can hit the San Gabs and be delivered the goods.

Dean

Still haven't ridden there. I would love to get out there and ride at some point. With all the riding that's going on, I won't get time till summer.

[dft]

we saw your cars i think. we got the the bottom of ITT around 8:45 and started climbing at 9. the top of coldwater had a lot of work done on it (reinforced chicken wire on some switchbacks). the bottom was pretty loose this time, but NO ruts, its been alot worse at times. good stuff. one awesome backcountry trail.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by dft

we saw your cars i think. we got the the bottom of ITT around 8:45 and started climbing at 9. the top of coldwater had a lot of work done on it (reinforced chicken wire on some switchbacks). the bottom was pretty loose this time, but NO ruts, its been alot worse at times. good stuff. one awesome backcountry trail.

Ya, we were the group of 4 cars parked just off the bottom of ITT. I really want to get back up there and ride it when it's not so loose(if that condition even exist).

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Gene tell me if I am wrong but I have never read a report that said Coldwater was ever in good shape. That trail does not get much traffic and we have had a bunch on rain, it should be in OK shape now. I am beginning to think that just will always be a loose tough decent.

But you need to know I am a trail snob of the worse order. By the time I drive to that side of the mountain I can hit the San Gabs and be delivered the goods.

Dean

The trail needs some rerouting. It does the trail no good to have descents like this and with any substancial rain we will probably lose this part of the trail as it will just be a rut. It needs to be recut at an angle with water bars thrown in to make it viable.

[mouse jockey]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

The trail needs some rerouting. It does the trail no good to have descents like this and with any substancial rain we will probably lose this part of the trail as it will just be a rut. It needs to be recut at an angle with water bars thrown in to make it viable.

No, no, no, no, no....if you can't ride the descent or don't like the descent, don't ride it. Or if you want to reclaim the older Coldwater trail go ahead and do that, but don't go and change one of the few steep, loose trails around for those of us who can actually ride the thing. Get bigger tires, a slacker head angle and learn to slide the steeps.

[Pain Freak]

Didn't say I couldn't ride it, I have and enjoyed it, but it won't last a season of heavy rain or for that matter even a season slightly above normal and then we will have nothing but a scar to look at. I like the descent, but I know a trail like that can't last, that's why there are none out there like it.

There was talk of reclaiming the old trail, but I believe Roy moved away and he was the only one I knew that knew where the old trail was.

BTW, you need to see my front tire...

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Nice shots with the new camera Gene!

[mouse jockey]

PF, no disrespect intended, just my opinion.

I know you have rode it PF. In fact you were with DFT when he broke his hand riding "the wave" at the top. And as you said, "there are none out there like it" so why would you want to change your statement to "there are none out there"? Because it gets rutty after rains? Again, if you don't like it don't ride it. Those who ride it, if the ruts get bad enough, then they'll work on it. If they don't, the land will reclaim it just like the FS intended when they abandoned the trail which happended to the old coldwater. It's up to the trail users to keep up the trail. I hope as is.

P.S. You should see my front tire I changed out to ride coldwater: Michy 2.8 fatty, looks like a moto tire!

BTW, really enjoyed the pics guys. You XC gals and guys kick my butt. I remember a post about you gals riding some 50 miles in the Santa Anas?? Here's to you!

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Didn't say I couldn't ride it, I have and enjoyed it, but it won't last a season of heavy rain or for that matter even a season slightly above normal and then we will have nothing but a scar to look at. I like the descent, but I know a trail like that can't last, that's why there are none out there like it.

There was talk of reclaiming the old trail, but I believe Roy moved away and he was the only one I knew that knew where the old trail was.

BTW, you need to see my front tire...

[dft]

pain freak.

having the old route reclaimed would be nice, but i do think the steep route can also be maintained ok. yes, there might be some ruts, but nothing that isn't fixable. its so remote, it wouldn't be much of an eye sore. there are trails at the shore (BC) that have sections this steep and are maintained. its a true backcountry trail that requires a decent amount of skill to ride, i hope it stays. (the switchback work is awesome to whoever did it, thanks)

[Pain Freak]

Sorry, what I meant was to keep both. The old and the new, but I seriously don't think it could stand the test of time. I personally would always try the steeper rutted route, but eventually it would become to deep and unrideable even by DFT.

[Dirty D]

Half the fun IS navigating the lower part of the trail IMO, plus it probably keeps most of the masses away (good thing) since the lower portion really looses elevation quickly, and feels like you're rolling on marbles.

As mentioned above it probably isn't very sustainable in the long haul but half the beauty is the fact that the section changes everytime we come out here which is about every 3mos. or so. The section works, and it can be ridden.

It would almost be like rerouting Can't See Bottom on Bell Ridge because 90% probably walk it.

D

Some shots from this weekend...

DT, Terry, and NomadSteve workin' the CW...

[dft]

lock and load baby!!!! love it! there is now a better exit out of the rock quary also.

dt(if you like the bottom of this trail, try "old mans" at south mountian, slightly more intense

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by dft

pain freak.

having the old route reclaimed would be nice, but i do think the steep route can also be maintained ok. yes, there might be some ruts, but nothing that isn't fixable. its so remote, it wouldn't be much of an eye sore. there are trails at the shore (BC) that have sections this steep and are maintained. its a true backcountry trail that requires a decent amount of skill to ride, i hope it stays. (the switchback work is awesome to whoever did it, thanks)

Totally agree that having the old route reclaimed would be awesome. While riding steep falline trails can be fun, calling the current lower half of that trail Coldwater is pretty silly as far as I'm concerned. The new route does not even drop into Coldwater Canyon.

If the trailhead access/easements can be obtained at the bottom, I'm in for a few full weekends of debrushing and treadwork for reopening the orginal route.