RR: Chantry to Mt. Zion

[chupacabra]

Friend and I headed last Sunday morning for Chantry Flats. Arrived at 7:00 and it was a bit chilly. Perfect for riding.


I love how this ride lets you have a nice little warm up for 30' before it starts to climb. Great trail and it was in great shape, except for a few washout areas. The exposure was awful, and I'm talking about the Poison Oak. The best part is most of the leaves were off so it was just branches to avoid. I lathered up in Technu, and so far I am mostly free from rash. There is one red stripe of rash along the lower leg, but this could have been from earlier trips to Marshal Canyon or Monroe Truck Trail.
The trail is such a great trail, I wish I could ride more of the last mile before the saddle. I probably HAB 60% of it. Between the steep switchbacks, obstacles, and my lack of conditioning it is one tough go. I wonder if anyone rides it all (except the washout areas)?

Once to the saddle at zion, this is one sweet flowing ride. My favorite in the area.





The one spot I wished I had tried is the drop on the way to winter creek. (It may be after winter creek I don't recall)



The weather held and it was a great day to ride. Three hours later I struggled past the gate at the top of the asphalt grind, which I think is a great way to end a ride since you know you don't have to save anything for later in the day.

On a side note: Here is some plant porn. Manzanita is one sexy plant.



or if you prefer European style



caio

[davidB]

nice pics of the plants

it's the closest trail to me and I just can't get myself to ride there. The PO is everywhere and i hate hiking. But man if that isn't some of the more fun riding in the neighborhood.

p.s. where's the requisite swing picture?!

[chupacabra]

Originally Posted by davidB

p.s. where's the requisite swing picture?!

Where is it? I've seen the pics. I haven't seen the swing.

[Zippo]

haha! plant porn! classic. nice rr - makes me want to ride there. good luck with the po...that sh*t finds me like a rat to cheese.

[davidB]

At Sturdevant campground which you rode right by

edit: I want to visit the falls someday if they're semi decent

[strobelite]

who were you riding with? was it a short guy named carlos?

[ohyeah89]

Originally Posted by davidB

edit: I want to visit the falls someday if they're semi decent

It's not that far from Robert's camp (the bridge) at all but definately don't go on a weekend since there are SOO many hikers going to the falls it's ridiculous! It's such an easy hike it attracts a lot more than your usual hiker-types.

[Chewyeti]

fun loop!

[1080P]

Added that to my To Do list of rides. Thanks!

[MTBMaven]

Could you report on the condition of the trail up Mt. Zion specifically? That is the section after Upper Winter Creek to the peak where you have a picture of the bikes lying down and a sign near them. We worked that trail a few years ago to open it back up to hikers and bikers. I haven't been on it in quite a while.

I have gotten to the point that I can bike most of that climb after the first initial push past the gully. It's a very tough climb and I'm not sure I could do it now on my 1x9, even with my new 30 tooth ring. As for that rock drop on Upper Winter Creek I finally dropped that a few weeks ago on my HT Niner. I used to ride it all the time on my 575 but it took me a while to build the courage to drop in on the HT.

Great ride, glad you enjoyed.

[chupacabra]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

Could you report on the condition of the trail up Mt. Zion specifically? That is the section after Upper Winter Creek to the peak where you have a picture of the bikes lying down and a sign near them. We worked that trail a few years ago to open it back up to hikers and bikers. I haven't been on it in quite a while.

The trail is in great condition after the gully. The corridor is still open and the tread is great. Next time some work is done maybe they can decrease the grade a bit.

[JoeTruth]

Hey, thanks for the RR. That's a great fun loop. I haven't done it since I took Davidb on it a couple of months back. Since now the heat and smog is slowly decreasing, I'll start putting it back in my pool of weekly/monthly rides. I just hate the drive; it's kind of far from me.
I wish I could ride more of the HAB section but the fact is, I can't. I think I ride about 40-50-60% of it, depending on the day and how I'm feeling. I don't think anyone can ride it 100% (although some get close) as there's too many loose steep sections, not to mention the off camber & loose switch backs. 1.25 miles and 1000 feet ain't no joke. Hell, hiking it makes me more tired then trying to ride it.

Tom Brady (MTBMaven) and gang saved that trail from virtual extinction. From what I remember, him, big Mike and some other die hards busted their butts and did some awesome work on the HAB section up to the Zion summit a couple of three years ago. I think we all owe them some gratitude and a beer and or a soda, at the very least. Thanks again, boys!

[hoovermd]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

Hey, thanks for the RR. That's a great fun loop. I haven't done it since I took Davidb on it a couple of months back. Since now the heat and smog is slowly decreasing, I'll start putting it back in my pool of weekly/monthly rides. I just hate the drive; it's kind of far from me.

My sentiments exactly.
Does anyone know about the lifecycle of the Poison Oak?
I'm curious to know if there is any time up there where the PO isn't too bad?

[chupacabra]

MTBMaven and others.
Thanks so much for the work. It has really paid off. This really is a great ride: nice views, tough climb, and not too many people on the upper parts.

[Sewellymon]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

Tom Brady (MTBMaven) and gang saved that trail from virtual extinction. From what I remember, him, big Mike and some other die hards busted their butts and did some awesome work on the HAB section up to the Zion summit a couple of three years ago. I think we all owe them some gratitude and a beer and or a soda, at the very least. Thanks again, boys!

Ain’t that the truth! Maven and Co. did a hellalotta work to make the HAB portion passable/ rideable/ hikeable.

I don’t mind having to jump off my bike 30 times on the HAB portion. Just exercises different muscles.

And like many of the San Gab front range trails, lots of serious exposure throughout. But bottom line is the Zion Loop is a world class trail. One of the best, most fun, most aesthetic rides in the San Gabs, in CA, in the USA, in the world.

[KBL]

Last time I rode between Upper Winter Creek and that sign on Mt. Zion, there was quite a bit of growth overhanging the trail. I had the poison oak marks to prove it! The trail tread itself was in great shape.

I still love Chantry, poison oak notwithstanding.