RR: Iron Mountain/Ellie Lane trail.

[CalEpic]

As I mentioned in the trailhead posting for this ride, if you love rocks and tech this is your kind of place. The ride was only about 10 miles but it sure felt like more. Nearly the entire trail requires technical moves both on the way up and the way down. The ascent is steep enough that I was in my granny ring most of the time. This makes quickly gaining momentum tough for getting up and over rocks and waterbars. Especially since they come one after another. We were pushing our bikes a lot on the way up.

Our first peak - Iron Mountain:


This is the start of the ride on the Iron Mountain trail. from here the fun begins. The trail switchbacks up the mountain rather quickly through some very rocky sections with waterbars at nearly every switchback adding to the fun. Hikers were just shaking their heads at us as they saw these idiot mountain bikers trying to ride their bikes up this gnarly trail. Think of Chiquito on steroids. El Borracho did great finessing his 5 Spot up and over the many obstacles.

A view from about 2/3 of the way up Iron Mountain:


We made good time up to Iron Mountain Peak. Once there we checked out the views, El B signed the book, we told the hikers we did not escape from the mental hospital, and strapped on the armor. I didn't crash but I don't think I'd want to ride this trail down without armor.

View from the Iron Mountain Peak:


About 1/2 way down we peeled off onto the Ellie Lane Trail. I would say this trail is even more technical than Iron Mountain. The trail roller-coasters along with mostly climbs that we mostly hiked. The descents were pretty gnarly. I walked a section or two. I think El B took a digger somewhere along the way.

Yes, this is the trail. Can you say chunkage?


El Borracho coming down:


The ride is East of Poway so it's a long drive for us in the OC, LA or IE but if you like tech riding, it's tough to beat. I'll be going back. It's near Ted Williams so it would be no problem to ride both in the same trip I'm told.

Thanks for setting this up Mike.

C

[Geronimo]

Iron Mountain: The hike a bike up to Iron Mountain peak wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Craig rode about 80% and cleaned many of the swithbacks. I probably rode about 70%. If you enjoy going up the tech then this was paradise. Of course the main dish was the descent and it didn't disappoint. It actually had a good flow with some hairy tech spots littered here and there, not quite as tuff as I thought it would be, which was great because it was a blast. BTW the scenery and views are great. Worth the hike? YES.

Ellie Lane Trail: Now this is were things got interesting. It started out tame enough and quickly turned into a gnarly hike a bike. At this point I was concerned, because I thought Iron Mountain was the main attraction and this hike sucked. Didn't seem to bother Craig though he seemed determined to ride as much as possible 10ft at a time. Turns out Ellie Lane is the main attraction, the descent's are brutal. On more than one occasion my brakes seemed to be ignoring my desire to slow down. Turns out the brakes knew what they were doing because after every roll/drop you need to keep your momentum to plow through toaster sized rocks, so that you can repeeat the process over, and over again. Craig was ahead of me and I saw him save more than a few wipe outs, I wasn't so lucky but nothing serious. Worth the hike? Hell Yeah.

In conclusion: Iron Mountain is fun and Ellie Lane is one scary beyatch.

De nada, thanks for coming with and driving. Yo, George maybe you can reroute my RR por favor. Gracias.

[dstepper]

Nice RR, now I know not to go there unless I am up for a hike.

Pretty but chunky...more tech than I like...good riding boys. One of you guys need to come out to Sedona and keep Scott intertained for a day.

Dean

[bananaseat]

El B, am I mistaken, or are you sporting a new DHX Air on the 5-spot???

I had to remove my DHX Air due to oil leakage, back on the romic for the time being. Climbs better, but overall miss the DHX Air.

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by bananaseat

El B, am I mistaken, or are you sporting a new DHX Air on the 5-spot???

I had to remove my DHX Air due to oil leakage, back on the romic for the time being. Climbs better, but overall miss the DHX Air.

Using the Mac's built in zoom feature I can clearly see that he's still on the coil.

[gurp13]

I agree with Dean. This ride is not my cup of tea. I don't mind the technical, but I won't seek it out. That doesn't even look rideable to me. Big props to you guys for handling that stuff. You have my respect.

[TURNERob]

Yes Mike appears to be on a "new" coil, a DHX if my eyes are correct and no more Romic. So Aldo, you were half correct

You guys gotta stop killing me with all these sweet ride reports.......I'm never gonna spend a week off of work away from a place I can't get some riding in at. And to think a year ago my wife was begging me to move out here to Memphis......I don't think so!!! That trail looks f'in sweet! Did you ride the RFX Craig?

[CalEpic]

I can confirm that he took advantage of the Turner shock sale and is sporting a new DHX Coil.

[spookydave]

Now that's what I'm talking 'bout!

Kinda bummed I had to work but kinda glad too. I know I would have LOVED that trail. But to tell the truth I was still hurting pretty bad from my last crash(s). lol So it prolly is not a bad thing I sat that one out.