RR: Hurkey to Ernie or bust

[mr.hobbs]

Sunday I set out for an epic ride. I started on Apple canyon rd. near The Hurkey camp ground (cause I'm a bum and didn't have $2 for parking).
My intension for the day was to make it to the Ernie Maxwell trail to see what all the hub-bub was about. I was on the SS, so I wasn't sure if my legs would make it.

I started off at 7:30am. rode the 24 hr. course till it hit May valley rd. I then did all the single tracks that run to the right of the road all the way to the top. From there, I took May valley into Idyllwild.

(at this point I didn't know which way to head to catch the trail head for Ernies, so I stopped at the local coffee shop and got directions)

The guy at the coffee shop mentioned that it might be a little uphill via the highway.
I'm glad he "mentioned" that, or I would have not realized it was like a wall after 15 or so miles just getting to that point.

So I did Ernies and made my way uphill again to the southridge trail. (again, i had idea how far it was, I just knew where I was parked and had to get back there)
Southridge trail was the highlight of the day. Fun and flowee!

Once at the bottom of that trail I crossed May valley again and did a nice little loop down to the water tower (I thing lower southridge?) and back up to the top to meet up with Expholiator. But I when wandering from the top of that trail on the bast little 1 mile trail that hit May valley rd. again. I then It was at this time I was out of water and legs and headed straight to camp and didn't do the last section of the 24hr course.

Got back to the car at 11:30am ready for the pool. Ha Ha , I beat the heat!!!

To summerize the day: Ernie Maxwell is not worth the pedal up and I don't see what all the rave reveiws of it are all about. It was fairly boring at times. Southridge trail would be worth the shuttle up if you tied in all the May valley single track trails on the way down.

[JOx2]

i miss Exfoliator Trail. I hope to hit Hurkey Creek again, soon. Where is the pics?

[schleppp]

E Max is not worth a ride up from Hurkey, but it is an awesome start to the ride down. I really love that trail, especially at night! Props to you on what is a pretty good loop as far as miles and gain as far as I am concerned.

[mr.hobbs]

Originally Posted by JOx2

Where is the pics?

My phone ran out of juice just as I got there. made for a nice drive home without my wife calling to asked where I was. "sorry, battery was dead"