RR: Ramona Exploration Ride, part 2

[PacMan]

Sean/GP Pilot, Evan/Evdog and I decided to do more exploring here in Ramona on the trails in the nearby hills. If you recall, Sean and I did a little exploring not too long ago-- Ramona/San Vicente. Today we wanted to ride a little bit further out and scope out a huge crevice called "Devil's Jump Off".

We decided to set out early so heat wouldn't be a factor. The clouds were socked in at first, but they burned off pretty quick. It's actually nice to do almost all the climbing in the first few miles. It makes the return at the end of the ride much easier.




Another one of the designs painted on the road:



Like I said, we weren't below the clouds for long.

Above the clouds:




We knocked out the climb fairly quick and soon were in the rolling meadow:





The trail forks by this tree. Sean and I had ridden to this point on our last ride.



Last time we went left. This ride, we would go right. From looking at maps and satellite images, we knew there would be an immediate downhill section into the valley below. We could then follow the trail through the valley. We knew at some point there was a pond and a huge meadow. Armed with that, we set out into new territory.

The downhill was short and we entered the valley and the trail was just where the maps said it would be. We picked it up and before too long came upon the pond.




The trail continued on around the pond:



The scenery was pretty cool and we were all pretty stoked with the trail conditions and the fact that our pre-ride navigation and planning was working out.









Before too long, we came upon the vast Meadow we had seen on the satellite maps. There was a trail on either side of it. We took one side out and the other back. It was very beautiful. Pics do not do it justice!!






The trail ended on Hwy 78, about halfway in between Ramona and Santa Isabel. We turned around and headed back. The plan was to go back the way we came, but to throw in the detour out to "Devil's Jump Off."

We also decided to take a short break back at the pond for a short rest and gourmet feast of Clif Bars. Yum!!






While we were there, I noticed Sean had a little wild flower stuck in his crankset, in between the chainring and crank arm. I decided to take a pic as a goof. Unfortunately, I noticed a crack too:



We finished up Snack Time and pressed on to "The Devil's Jump Off." It was pretty cool once we got out to it. It was actually a dry waterfall. The total drop to the bottom had to be close to 500' if I had to guess.










The only downside was to get out to the overlook, we had to walk through about 100 yards of this:



So therefore, when we got back to the rock outcropping where we left the bikes, we spent the next 10 minutes picking stickers out of our socks and shoes:




It was OK though. My Niner stood guard the whole time (insert yet another gratuitous shot of new bike):




We continued on and made it back super fast. Which was easy considering it was almost all downhill. You gotta love knocking out the climbing at the beginning of the ride!!

Initial impressions of the new Niner are good. It climbed very well and handled extremely good too. I could feel the 5 or so pounds I dropped for sure. This new bike is super nimble and flickable. I'm really looking forward to more saddle time.

This trail was nothing technical or anything like that. However, the weather and scenery was awesome and I'm pretty sure Sean and Evan would agree--there's something about exploring new stuff. Not knowing what's coming up next just makes the ride that much better.

Instead of riding right back to my house, we rode to the "Village Store" not too far away, where a group from the local high school was having a fund raiser BBQ. Tri Tip, Pulled Pork sandwiches and hot dogs were on the menu. We were more than happy to partake and relax in the shade for a bit. We then headed back to my pad--albeit at a very leisurely pace. No sense jostling all that Tri-Tip around.

[bjammin]

Sean, I told you not to run those POS cranks...

[mtbchip]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Sean/GP Pilot, Evan/Evdog and I decided to do more exploring here in Ramona on the trails in the nearby hills. If you recall, Sean and I did a little exploring not too long ago--
...snip...
This trail was nothing technical or anything like that. However, the weather and scenery was awesome and I'm pretty sure Sean and Evan would agree--there's something about exploring new stuff. Not knowing what's coming up next just makes the ride that much better.

Next time you go, post the ride!!! I'd like to tag along, looks real cool out there!

I could even go for a bacon basket too........

[Taco Jack]

Nice RR looks like a great ride. How many miles do you think it was? It really looks like a ride I'd enjoy to do sometime.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by mtbchip

Next time you go, post the ride!!! I'd like to tag along, looks real cool out there!

I would have, but it was very last minute. We didn't cement the plans until late last night.

Originally Posted by Taco Jack

Nice RR looks like a great ride. How many miles do you think it was? It really looks like a ride I'd enjoy to do sometime.

I believe the final tally was somewhere close to 20 miles and about 1,900' of climbing--which almost all of it was done in the first half of the ride.

[GP_pilot]

The ride was 7.3 mi from SDCE trailhead to Rt 78 at Witch Creek, 15.2 round trip w/ the side trip to Devil's Jumpoff on the way back. All the way to Tri-tip BBQ and then PacMan's house was 21.15 mi. This is labeled as West Side Rd up through Dye Canyon on the topo map. Most all if it is in the Cleveland N.F. The part that isn't has signs posted on the trees to basically stay on the road.

[OldDogDan]

Very cool exploration! I have been to Mildred Falls & Cedar Creek Falls, but never to the Devil's Jumpoff -- looks well worth the ride. Probably quite a cascade in winter. Thanks for the RR.

[GP_pilot]

The Pyrene mountain shots never get old





Greenery





Lunch



Artistic shot



Canopy of trees



Collier Flat







Snack by the lake



Devil's Dropoff from the top



Side



Afar



Return home

[newpos]

excellent rr. looks like a great place to ride.

[chadster]

Great RR guys, thanks! I've been wondering about that area for a while now as it looks like a good starting point for an epic ride to the Julian area. Now if I can just find a decent way to get across/thru Iron Springs Canyon without risking life and limb.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by chadster

Great RR guys, thanks! I've been wondering about that area for a while now as it looks like a good starting point for an epic ride to the Julian area. Now if I can just find a decent way to get across/thru Iron Springs Canyon without risking life and limb.

Ya, we are slowly riding all that's out there and generally exploring the area. We're not the first to do this, but the end goal is to piece together a ride from the SDCE all the way to Julian with little to no pavement riding.

[OMR]

Seeking out new places to ride to me is what mountain biking is all about... passing it on to others ...is what STR is all about... good job!