RR: New Park (for me), New Friends and New Record (for me!)

[jschwart73]

Had a hall pass today with the wife and kids off to the kiddie symphony. Headed into work around 8 AM to get some off-hours work taken care of and then blasted up to Annadel State Park in Santa Rosa. From what I’d heard, there is lots of long trails, singletrack riding and an overall great place to ride…

Since I had all day, I took food, the DSLR and packed it all into my new Camelback Havoc, along with a couple Clif Bars and some Uncrustables.

Pulled into the parking lot, the welcome wagon was in full force:



And off I went! Soon, I found another new friend:


Since I was already off the bike making friends, I did a little photo session with Stumpy – Sexy!



Back on the bike and kept climbing:


Did a little more climbing and came across this BAMF, working the meadow like he owned it:


Headed down Lawndale, one of the best downhill singletrack rides I’ve done to date:



And from there, I got my ass in gear and started back up Schultz trail, stopping for some lunch at the Schultz/Ridge intersection… No pics, I was on a mission to get done in time to take my broken cable box to Comcast by 5 and I had an hour and a half drive left!
Made my way along ridge and on to Marsh, where there was this drop to switchback:



From there, I made my way back up to Richardson and back to the car. I went into this ride determined to do at least 20 miles, and turns out I did just a skosh over 20 miles and 3000’. My longest ride to date for sure, what a fun one.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5270515

Annadel isn’t for beginners and I'm glad I waited a few months to go ride there, it’s rocky and technical in quite a few spots, but it rewards you with long singletrack trails that flow. Never were there “super steep” climbs, but more steady leg burners for a mile or two at a time.

This place would be a blast with a group, I now understand why everyone speaks so highly of the place!

[foofighter]

great photos and the wildlife is cool i know where to get my turkey this year LOL

[Pain Freak]

Man, Now I'm bummed. Last year we went up there and I read about this place but passed on riding it. I ended up in the pool with the kids. Now I see what I missed and I want to scream. I love the looks of the place.

Thanks

[dstepper]

There are some canyons in Annadell with some pretty good sized Redwoods. Last week some county water employee forgot to turn off the water value on Lake Isanjo draining the Lake...so the Lake will be dry this summer unless they get a bunch more rain.

Before Annadell was a State Park in was a private ranch owned by a girls family I went to high school with. Spent many days riding my Schwinn Varsity on those cow trails and ranch roads.

Dean

[art23rockpile]

Nice RR... the trails and wilderness look beautiful! If i'm ever in that general area, i'll make sure my trusy steed is along and go for a ride.

[jschwart73]

Originally Posted by dstepper

There are some canyons in Annadell with some pretty good sized Redwoods. Last week some county water employee forgot to turn off the water value on Lake Isanjo draining the Lake...so the Lake will be dry this summer unless they get a bunch more rain.

Before Annadell was a State Park in was a private ranch owned by a girls family I went to high school with. Spent many days riding my Schwinn Varsity on those cow trails and ranch roads.

Dean

Apparently the lake drainage is a big problem:

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/articl...&template=kart

[faded1004]

omg, no wonder it looks so nice, it is in the area above SF... i went hiking there a few times before! very nice place...

[allison]

Nice shots!!