RR: Mt. Pinos, the forgotten trails

[Abui]

Today I rode Mt. Pinos to get some cool thin air. I started at McGill campground to avoid the heat that would build up during the day. Above 7000' I had thoughts of wearing two layers.

I arrived at the summit and snapped this.



The far ridge is Mt. Abel. Before the area was declared a wilderness we used to ride to it then circle the base clockwise and end up in Pine Mountain Club. An epic that will never be repeated unless I get a disposable bike.

Instead of the taking the usual well-worn trail down I turned right here (view is of the junction as you climb).




The trail is a double track that has reverted to singletrack. In the winter it's an XC ski trail.

Almost immediately you'll see a 4-log rollover. Hmmm, somebody's been busy.



The trail goes on but with a small interruption.




Further on I noticed that parts of the track were blocked by branches. Somebody is trying to interrupt my flow. I tossed them aside and continued.

Now the payoff, a steep V-shaped descent. STIL, really.



Again more branches placed to block progress. Even rocks. But I can heave rocks downhill easier than someone can haul them up.






I find more blockages by the ***. Where the logging road resumes and is blocked by a tree-fall the sweet single track bypass through the pines is blocked by more man-made obstacles. I got a bit of exercise today.

I took a turn that led to little-used singletrack. No damage, no braking bumps, no ***.




I found my way to the main trails, rode some and then returned to repeat some of the good stuff.

And far into the woods there is a hint of AM riders. A bear didn't setup this log for launching. It looks bigger in real life {and it's steep downhill} (LOL).



The usual story, too good to stop!

[DBD]

Nice photos and looks like a great ride. However you are not looking at the new "features" properly ...

An example, with a very small amount of work you could have this ...

[VTVic]

Nice Pics. I miss Mt Pinos. May just have to get out there sometime soon.

[Nagaredama]

Nice RR but I think something is wrong with your bike...it has shifters.

[EMrider]

Nice pics. I rode Pinos today for the first time and it was amazing. True mountain singletrack with great flow and some fun jumps. Definately worth the drive and camping at Mt. Pinos CG was excellent.
R

[Abui]

Originally Posted by Nagaredama

Nice RR but I think something is wrong with your bike...it has shifters.

Yes, I know but I have to practice (1x9) for the Hellride.

[bigringrider101]

There's got to be a hater for MTBers there.
last time I rode there about 3 weeks ago

I had to get off my bike and move brunches and logs that somebody put there purposely to block the trail at 6 different spots.

Nice Doug! You should live up in mount Pinos.
You're going to Hell....... Remember?

[dirttorpeedo]

i was there a few years ago and camped at mt abel. a friend of mine lives there and says if you do it rite you dont get into trouble doing the trail you mentioned.there are some f/r trails upthere, you gotta know the locals tho. ; )

[Pain Freak]

Leave the junk they put there and add to it. I love those man made obstacles!

[Abui]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Leave the junk they put there and add to it. I love those man made obstacles!

Two parallel suspended logs a wheel size apart, not for me.

[MTBBill]

Nice RR, I was out there as well with my son on that same day. Stuck to the well-worn paths. I got a RR coming as well.

[tgreathead]

Great pics
Reminds me I need to hit Pinos again, maybe when it cools down a bit.

[Sewellymon]

Mt Pinos is God - Head.

I was lucky enuff to live there/ Pine Mt Club in the mid 90's. It was sweet to have cool pine forests as your local terrain..

Not to poke a jab at shuttle riders, but I could see anti-biker feelings develop based on the McGill trail becoming what it is (vs what it was- which was a multi-user trail

and Mt Abel Yea.... classic riding are epic. the BEST was park in Lockwood Valley, take the fire road that climbs to the paved road, Pinos summit to the trail that shoots south back to Lockwood Valley. 5 hours or so? Big ride..

[EMrider]

Originally Posted by Sewellymon

Mt Pinos is God - Head.

I was lucky enuff to live there/ Pine Mt Club in the mid 90's. It was sweet to have cool pine forests as your local terrain..

Not to poke a jab at shuttle riders, but I could see anti-biker feelings develop based on the McGill trail becoming what it is (vs what it was- which was a multi-user trail

and Mt Abel Yea.... classic riding are epic. the BEST was park in Lockwood Valley, take the fire road that climbs to the paved road, Pinos summit to the trail that shoots south back to Lockwood Valley. 5 hours or so? Big ride..

Isn't McGill a multi-use trail now? I don't know what used to be allowed that is no longer today. Thanks for the details.
R