RR: Whiting trail conditions cont'd

[xhuskr]

Many have ridden Whiting since the reopening, but I've not seen any photos. I went for a solo ride on Saturday with my camera to take photos. It has gotten better since opening weekend and should continue with more riding and moisture? (we hope) The whole gallery can be found at;
http://www.socaltrailriders.org/gall...t=1683&ppuser=

Here is a sample ride from Borrego-Cattle Pond-Mustard-4 Corners-Mark Reynolds Bench - Cactus - Sage Scrub - Sleepy Hollow...I'll try and keep them in order

Borrego


Cattle Pond (u can see the burn line and where machinery came in)

The tree (RIP) near the park bench before the climb


Mustard...so open now..u can see so much



looking down from 4 corners

Road to the bench

near the bench at the top

the bench...untouched!!

views from Cactus trail

remember the pond? good to see it again or for the first time

sandy s/b on Cactus

re-route for Sage Scrub (was told by a ranger the old one will not be reopened )

Sleepy Hollow


Live Oak (Ewok Village)


the last turn that used to be covered by trees now you can see the whole trail WAY in advance

I hope the helps some of you who have not had the chance to ride it. Yes it's sandy, but getting better and very doable. I only had to walk one short section due to being in the wrong gear. I look forward to watching the park grow and change in the coming years! See ya on the trails!!

[Jutty]

gah soft sand! scares me everytime...

Sweet pics, thanks for sharing!

[madridg]

great pics. Rides great for a short ride- ride it before it get too easy (and boring)...

[kwest10]

i've been there 4 times since the opening. Get's better every but some spots won't until big rain. Would it be at all possible to go remove the deep sand layer or would a ranger bust me for F'in with the trail?

[genusmtbkr5]

All trail work should go through the Ranger of that park. They get very upset when trail work gets done without their consent.

[maxwell]

I've ridden it three times in the last two week's, and I'll say I'm glad to have it back!

If you'll remember a few years back, when we had all the big rains, and some of the trails had flooded out. It was sandy, with a few re-routes done back then.
It all came back, just as fun as ever.
The same will happen this time around too!

I did notice a couple of spots on Borrego where riders are going off the trail, around the sand.

They have to knock that crap off!

Stay ON THE TRAIL!

PLEASE, if you can't pedal through it, simply walk it until you can.

To me, the new re-routes are pretty fun. With some good rain, and more riding, it'll pack down, and be REAL FUN!

Thanks for posting your pics!

[tbowren]

Originally Posted by kwest10

i've been there 4 times since the opening. Get's better every but some spots won't until big rain. Would it be at all possible to go remove the deep sand layer or would a ranger bust me for F'in with the trail?

Nothing says you can't dump out a camelbak of water on there. Do that a few times a week and it might make a difference. Maybe.

[bluzrider]

definitely have to ride it soon. thanks for the update!

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by tbowren

Nothing says you can't dump out a camelbak of water on there. Do that a few times a week and it might make a difference. Maybe.

Don't really think so. Sand is not like dirt. Like at the beach when the tide comes up, the sand is wet and when it dries, it's just as sandy as before.

[xhuskr]

Originally Posted by tbowren

Nothing says you can't dump out a camelbak of water on there. Do that a few times a week and it might make a difference. Maybe.

Like Gene said it wouldn't make a difference There was another thread about that and you'd need a few thousand gallons of water to make a difference...but good wishful thinking......in the meantime just to enjoy it!

Maxwell.....you're right...I did see some new "lines" off to the sides of the sand. Keep it a challenge and ride the sand!!

[DirtObsession]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

Don't really think so. Sand is not like dirt. Like at the beach when the tide comes up, the sand is wet and when it dries, it's just as sandy as before.

I wish we could just go out there with some shovels and cut a small line through the sand. I definitly miss the old whiting. Even cactus sux now.

[vandeec5]

My friend was going downhill on cactus and came through a patch of sand, her tires sunk in and she pressed on the front brakes and did a front flip over the handlebar. The bike also did a front flip and landed on her back. She's ok, she said she can't wait to do it again. What a tropper

[Danimal]

Rode Whiting today.
A little loose in places, and sandy in others
Nothing riding and a little rain wont cure.
I'm glad it's open, and enjoy the challenge of not "snow plowing" the front end where loose.

[billy goat]

Thanks for the Fotos, Can we all just shut up over the sand already, It ain't that bad, Get over it and ride through it. If you don't like it go somewhere else. It will get better overtime, It's a new Whiting, nothing stays the same!
Thanx to all that worked on her!!!

[Rivet]

I rode Whiting recently and think the new trails are great, it's not whistler but the previous incarnation of the trails was really tame too, at least now they are longer and more intereresting. Now they have to try and keep jackasses from cutting them

[Royster71]

Nice pics thanks for your post on geoladders I think its cool makes it a different place to ride. Once it gets wet it will be neat to see what happens.

[genusmtbkr5]

Since this is about Whiting's trail conditions, just thought I'd add more pics of Whiting's trail conditions I took on my ride through there today.

Borrego is getting better in some spots, but the sand in the creeks will remain that way until the water starts to flow after some rains.

I decided to go up to Vista Outlook to see how that faired. The climb up that portion of Mustard is steeper and looser than "Little Mustard"
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The trees in the middle of the picture is where Borrego and Mustard meet
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There is some relief as the trail levels out just before you get to Vista Outlook
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Although very hazy today, the views are still nice. Here is one of Sinks over in Limestone.
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Looking back towards 4 corners, you can see Mustard on the left and Water Tank and Dreaded on the right.
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Another view of Water Tank and Dreaded Hill
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I found a branch to hold my camera.
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Another shot of Sinks during my descent.
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Like I said during the climb, it is steeper than the other Mustard and also loose in some spots, so watch your speed or you'll end up in mustard.
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From there you can veer left and take Cattle Pond, then up "Little Mustard" as usual. Since I was following a Geoladder's route, my route took me down Whiting Rd instead of Cactus. Here are shots of Cactus from Whiting Rd.
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...and a pic of Whiting Rd itself which have pockets of loose dirt as well.
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After my descent, I headed over to Dreaded Hill to see how that is for climbing. I went down it last week and noticed some loose spots.
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Still as steep as ever.