Old Man Riding sighting on Coldwater....

[OMR]

Dudes, this trail right now is in awsome condition for a backcountry trail... must be I took my SS 29er on Sat. and had a blast. After the rains, the dirt is in perfect shape. Rode up Indian Truck Trail, which is one of the prettiest fire roads in the Santa Anas to Main Divide. Although not particularly steep, the view east are really special. The ride from Main Divide up to Upper Holy Jim sort of sucks the life out of you... but once on Upper Holy, the real fun begins.

About a 1/4 of a mile down, Coldwater shoots off to the left (right around a hard left on the trail). The top portion is rolling hills as it follows the top of the ridge downwards. There are a couple of steeper sections... but all rideable... with the recent rains, the trails are not as slippery and braking was primo.

There are several VERY steep sections with sharp switchbacks. Watch your speed as coming upon them too quickly sometimes can be challeging as the brush is pretty dense. The good news is that if you have to bail... the bush is pretty dense! (good news, bad news)

There are a couple of hikey bikey sections ... one was particularly steep (really helps to have a good pair of biking shoes). You are basically following the ridge line all the way down... switchbacking on steeper sections. You are in and out of the tree line many times.

A lot of work has been done on this trail to make it rideable. My hat is off to the guys that brought the power tools up in order to clear the heavy brush. It wasn't easy!!!

I now consider Coldwater one of the better backcountry trails to ride... and if you like that sort of stuff... go do it before it turns hot on the eastern side. You really don't need a lot of suspension as it's not a particularly rocky trail... mostly rolling and steep. It does help to have a quick handling bike.

BTW: You can also stop by Tom's Place on the way back (just north on I-15). A great place to carbo load after such a ride.

OMR

[Pain Freak]

I did it late last year a week after it had been cleared (Thanks Warrior Society and friends) and was amazed to say the least I had not heard more about this trail. It was and is a very fun ride. Yeah, there are some VERY steep sections some as steep as "I can't see bottom" but they are very short and in my opinion rideable. I'll jump into any ride that gets posted to go again. Bummer I missed this one.

[Edog]

Been sitting on my list of Trails to Ride for too long, I think you just moved it to the top.

Thanks