RR: Chantry Flats - Winter Creek Trail

[Sprockethead]

After yesterday's training ride, Ann and I were looking to do something fun. Noel took us out to Chantry Flats. I've never ridden there, only hiked so I remember it being very scenic. The views didn't disappoint, nor did the trail (mostly singletrack). Total distance was 5 something miles with a little over 1000 ft of elevation gain for those of you who keep track. The weather was cool and clear. Winter Creek offered a lot of semi technical climbing over rocks with exposure up the ying yang. The rock sections were short so it was easy to keep momentum up, not like climbing up Chiquito. There was a 3ft rock wall which was fun to drop and lot's of creek crossings. One thing that did annoy me is, people in LA aren't very friendly. I pulled out of my parking spot early for a couple who circled the lot. I know how it feels to be frustrated when parking, but c'mon man, a simple thanks would be nice. I was only halfway loaded when I decided to pull out early. Oh yeah, I burped my tire for the first time today jumping off a 2 ft ledge onto an off piste landing. Anyways, here are some pics

Winter Creek Trail






Checking out which line to take


Noel


Me




I dare you to go wake him


Ann's behind the tree

[Keith B]

Looks like a sweet trail Andy! Nice pics too. I hit the gym today for the 1st time this year and I ache all over already

[dstepper]

Glad you enjoyed it, we have spent alot of time out there getting Chantry back in shape.

If you get Poison Oak ride Winter Creek now that we have it brushed back. I think going down Lower Winter Creek does not have the flow as going up Mt. Zion and back down to the Gaberlino, plus it is a longer loop.

Nice job on that drop guys.

Dean

[tkblazer]

nice pics and sweet nomad

[Sprockethead]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Glad you enjoyed it, we have spent alot of time out there getting Chantry back in shape.

Dean

Thanks for the trail maintenace. Yeah, the trail is in great shape!

[Keith B]

Bring on the 'mad Andy! LOL!
You up for a night training ride this week? I fancy that Maple/Motorway again - only with lights that work this time LOL!

[Sewellymon]

[FONT=Arial]Upper Winter Creek to Hogee Camp/ Lower Winter Creek is god-head.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I like it so much, I sometimes do 2 laps on it.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]The one good thing about this being a drought year- the water level is fairly low. For me, ½ the 10 creek crossings are rideable. I’m too lazy, but I’ve often pondered moving a couple rocks aside in the un-rideable (for me) crossings. Would this be considered cheating?[/FONT]

[tkblazer]

if you can't ride through the crossing then please do not sanitize it so you can ride through. just walk over or get your skill/confidence level up so you can clean it.

[dstepper]

Every time there is a decent rain those creek crossings change. Many of the crossing have mutiple lines.

Dean

[Sewellymon]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Every time there is a decent rain those creek crossings change. Many of the crossing have mutiple lines.

Dean

i hear you. i've been riding this trail since '85. those crossings are SOOO different than 10, 20 years ago (some harder, some easier....

and Blazker. relax, man. as I said, i am too lazy to do anything but pedal, push or carry. except for trail re-habs

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by Sewellymon

and Blazker. relax, man. as I said, i am too lazy to do anything but pedal, push or carry. except for trail re-habs

Well, you *did* ask, bro.

[sauce]

Andy and Noel ... awesome job on the 3 foot rock drop. It looks like a killer. Great pics. I gotta get out there!

[guero]

Originally Posted by Sewellymon

I’m too lazy, but I’ve often pondered moving a couple rocks aside in the un-rideable (for me) crossings. Would this be considered cheating?

it would be considered trail sanitation. please dont move trail obstacles to make up for one's lack of ability to clean a section. just think, if every noobie, beginner, incompetent rider moved a few rocks to accomodate a section of trail to match their own needs the technical sections of trails would dwindle and no longer exist.

just walk the section until you obtain the bike handling skills to negotiate a section.

thanks for sharing the pix and ride report andy. looked like good times out there!

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by Sewellymon

and Blazker. relax, man. as I said, i am too lazy to do anything but pedal, push or carry. except for trail re-habs

i wasn't trying to sound like an a-hole, you asked and i stated my opinion. there is no shame in walking a section that you can't ride. i've done it before many times and i'm sure there will be more in the future. its all part of biking to me. one day you'll just fly right through the section and the exciting from cleaning it will surely make your day.

[Sewellymon]

[FONT=Arial]Shame on me for asking a rhetorical question that I knew the answer to.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Same thing applies to rockclimbing. Never ever is it kosher to alter the rock to make it easier for free climbing. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]So now I gots to ask- what’s YOUR batting average on that thing, guys? Some of you 8 for 10 ish? Anybody roll a perfect 300? That is a proud no-dabs ride those stream crossings………
[/FONT]

p.s. great ride report/ fab photos
[FONT=Arial][/FONT]

[dstepper]

I followed Nam down a trail yesterday and he must have "sanitized" the trail a couple of dozen times with his rear wheel. He does not even try to find a line, it made it interesting to follow him, lots of moving obstacles.

We are talking loose rock here, it comes and goes on trails. Now if someone is out there with a pick and shovel that is a different thing.

If I removed the rocks in the pic below did I sanitize or do maintance. Pic: Upper Bear Creek Trail...I removed dozens of these on the way up. That trail is a screaming fast buff downhill...do you want to stop a dozen times?

Dean

[Schecky]

Originally Posted by Sewellymon

[FONT=Arial]So now I gots to ask- what’s YOUR batting average on that thing, guys? Some of you 8 for 10 ish? Anybody roll a perfect 300?[/FONT]

That thing? The rock ledge? I'm a perfect 100 on it!





I've walked it 100% of the time I've gone on that trail....

Great RR!

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by dstepper

I followed Nam down a trail yesterday and he must have "sanitized" the trail a couple of dozen times with his rear wheel. He does not even try to find a line, it made it interesting to follow him, lots of moving obstacles.

Dean

ouch, i know i'm not the greatest rider but to advertise it ... so rude


jk doood, i can't help it you know how sticky nevegals are. shoot, i almost got decapitated by a flying branch that scott's back tire shot up

[sauce]

another thing: many people ride hardtail bikes or rigids. many other people ride big, downhill rigs. what is maintenance for one bike is sanitization for another.

[tkblazer]

what if you ride an all mountain bike? everyone is messing up the trails for us!