RR: Black Star to the waterfall

[genusmtbkr5]

After 2 solid rides on Friday(HJ to the Peak) and Sat(ITT/Coldwater), I decided I'd do something really different today. I knew some guys were going to ride then hike to the falls in Black Star Canyon and since I've never seen the falls there, I decided to join them.



The ride up Black Star was wet as it lightly drizzled on us. It made a muddy mess of our bikes and pedaling was tough as the mud just loaded up and my wheels would just stop turning.



2008 VQ bike-run-bike finisher Bob R aka killer Bob on STR






Got down into the canyon and it's really nice there. Never knew it was so pretty down into the canyon.



Bob aka Howls at the Moon and killer Bob


Bob aka Howls at the moon



Matt aka Soaring Falcon/ocrider!



Nice place to cool off(in the summer)






Although it was a little cold and our feet were wet and bikes muddy, it was well worth the ride with some good company. Nice way to cap off a weekend of riding. I'll be back there again.

[Jordansrealm]

nice ride gene wish i would have known...

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

nice ride gene wish i would have known...

You should call Sherry and ask her to put you the volunteers email list. I believe you got some volunteer hours for taking the pics during the Pow Wow. This email went out to club members and volunteers, but the weather and the fact it was Sunday gave a low turnout.

[Elisheva]

Gene,

I've seen tons of Indian artifacts out there; especially at the top of Hidden Ranch. Wish I would've known you guys were heading down to the falls... On my last ride there I was tempted to head down that trail but the girls weren't interested in hiking to an unknown destination.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Elisheva

Gene,

I've seen tons of Indian artifacts out there; especially at the top of Hidden Ranch. Wish I would've known you guys were heading down to the falls... On my last ride there I was tempted to head down that trail but the girls weren't interested in hiking to an unknown destination.

Ya, that was our plan, but the weather got to us a bit. I would like to check it out at some point, but I'm sure where it is exactly. The campground site is sacred ground because it was where the last "wild"
Native Americans where massacred by cowboys.

[Elisheva]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

Ya, that was our plan, but the weather got to us a bit. I would like to check it out at some point, but I'm sure where it is exactly. The campground site is sacred ground because it was where the last "wild"
Native Americans where massacred by cowboys.

Yes, it was a huge massacre. According to the story, the Juaneno Indians loved horsemeat and would steal horses in the area. They rounded them up in Santa Ana, and took them up into Black Star (Hidden Ranch) where their settlement was. The Spaniards hired two American fur trappers to go after the Indians and retrieve the horses. The rest is a bloody history. The fur trappers slaughtered the Indians, gathered up the horses and took them back down the trail and into Santa Ana. Legend has it that some of the Indians jumped over the falls where you took the pictures. Tons of grinding holes can be seen right off the fireroad at the top of Hidden Ranch on your right. They are somewhat hidden by trees; but if you look you will find them easily.

And that's my history lesson for the day...

[J_Sims]

Must have missed you guys out there... I headed up this afternoon leaving the lower gate after 1:00 some time on the SS and cranked it all the way up... First ride without the ankle brace and all went well. No Pics but the trail was great... Managed to push it all the way up to the gate without stopping, that is actually a first for me on the SS Ran into some others hiding from the wind up at Beeks, chatted for a bit and hit the trail toward home...

[bighit8]

I want to check out the falls, just was never sure the route to get down.
Hey J simms are you deciding to keep the single speed now?

[station]

Can you post a map to this place? I could try and google it but I would probably get the wrong place. Thanks in advance!

[bighit8]

From the 55 exit Chapman ave east in orange ( not Fullerton) stay on Chapman and it will turn into Santiago canyon rd. Stay on this road till a little past Irvine lake. Take your first left to Silverado/blackstar canyon,On your immediate left you will see a paved road, take this down to the gate and head up the fire road ( watch out for Art) At the top of the first climb when it levels out, the falls are off to you're right.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by bighit8

I want to check out the falls, just was never sure the route to get down.
Hey J simms are you deciding to keep the single speed now?

The best way to go would be at the turn where you see the concrete pipes. From there, you hike up to the falls.

[Rockinthecasbah]

last time i was up there I got the worst case of poison oak i have ever had. Love it up there thats my backyard

[bighit8]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

The best way to go would be at the turn where you see the concrete pipes. From there, you hike up to the falls.

Thanks gene, I always wondered where that trail went.That turn is right where the climb starts if Im not mistaken?

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Thanks gene, I always wondered where that trail went.That turn is right where the climb starts if Im not mistaken?

Yes, that's right before you hit the Tuttle bumps. That hiking trail will lead you to the falls. Bring a lock for your bike. We had someone hang back to watch ours. Watch out for poison oak. Lots of it there.

[station]

How long of a ride is it to the falls? Let me know next time you guys are out. I would love to go! Thanks

[bighit8]

Tuttle bumps, lovely tuttle bumps, my hump ,my hump ,my lovely tuttle bumps.

Originally Posted by station

How long of a ride is it to the falls? Let me know next time you guys are out. I would love to go! Thanks

Will do station, I want to go to the falls. Sometime this week maybe?

[NO GO]

Rode blackstar today...started late 4pm.
It was a bit chilly and windy. In the valley, I ran into a guy riding around on a quad. Also, the gate was open up top

[station]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Tuttle bumps, lovely tuttle bumps, my hump ,my hump ,my lovely tuttle bumps.