RR: Superman re-opened

[allison]

On a road ride a few weekends ago we noticed that the gate to Superman at Santa Rosa Plateau was *finally* re-opened! We decided to take an evening and do a short ride on the trail to check it out. We'd never ridden it when it was open since it had closed prior to us getting bikes in 05.

It wasn't at all what I expected. I had read or heard that it was sometimes a shuttle ride, though for the most part you do a short climb up, then descend some, then climb, climb, climb, then descend, descend, descend. The DG is extremely loose in spots, partly because of the steepness, and probably also because a lot of it is fill dirt to fill in the water ruts. We didn't descend all the way to the neighborhood because I had to pack for Catalina, and also I didn't want to have to climb back up!

The back side of the hills are all pretty steep. Even Justin had to hike up a few of them. There's a steep hill, with a switchback that has a steep and loose turn.. and on.

There were a few fun sections, but I think the area still needs some help On to the photos...



Token bar shot for Dean



Justin on some rocks (he looks sketched out, but he made it)





Where's Waldo?





Floyd lives somewhere out there!





We definitely need to do some more exploring out here, and maybe I'd enjoy it more with a different route. I think if we had gone straight when we turned right maybe it'd be more rideable!

[CPATCRASH]

Where is it?

[allison]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

Where is it?

Santa Rosa Plateau in Murrieta.

BTW, this is for George!! (Not related to SRP, though)

[OMR]

YOu know, even at 8:45 am in the morning that beer looks good!

OMR

[PacMan]

I rode it with my dad and son the day you guys saw my car. You know, 3 years ago that trail was super-challenging. I rode it a few times and alwas had to walk several parts.

When I rerode it that day, I was amazed at how much easier it was, and dare I say not worth the effort?? I don't know, I was a little disappointed.

[allison]

Originally Posted by PacMan

I rode it with my dad and son the day you guys saw my car. You know, 3 years ago that trail was super-challenging. I rode it a few times and alwas had to walk several parts.

When I rerode it that day, I was amazed at how much easier it was, and dare I say not worth the effort?? I don't know, I was a little disappointed.

What route did you guys take? I'm assuming from the gate you followed the trail. Then took Wiashal instead of the overlook. Where'd you go from there? Straight down the fire road after the peak, or down to the right?

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by allison

What route did you guys take? I'm assuming from the gate you followed the trail. Then took Wiashal instead of the overlook. Where'd you go from there? Straight down the fire road after the peak, or down to the right?

Just up to the overlook and back. I didn't want to get too crazy with my son tagging along. Either way I think the relativey short distance is the key factor.

[allison]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Just up to the overlook and back. I didn't want to get too crazy with my son tagging along. Either way I think the relativey short distance is the key factor.

Yeah, especially since some of the fun sections are contained in that bit. If Justin and I come up with something good I may take photos and put it up for it to become official (which will probably take a year, since the OC guys don't come ride out here much ). I don't think we'll be riding it any time soon, but who knows.

[J_Sims]

I will absolutely not come ride out there... Much

[allison]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

I will absolutely not come ride out there... Much

It's not really worthwhile to drive to ride SRP. It's cool for a short after work loop, but not much else. Decent beginner area. Not much elevation change, and no real challenging spots.

There are a few sections that are technical for beginners, but not much else.

We were hoping Superman would be more worthwhile. I think it may be, just needs to TLC and we need a better loop

[Manchero]

I went there for the first time last year, and after riding all the bike trails, I put the bike in the car and hiked through some of the areas closed to biking. It's a really beautiful place, and the bike trails only cover a small percentage of the total area. It's supposed to be nice in the spring when the wildflowers are everywhere. Probably not so great in the summer.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Manchero

I went there for the first time last year, and after riding all the bike trails, I put the bike in the car and hiked through some of the areas closed to biking. It's a really beautiful place, and the bike trails only cover a small percentage of the total area. It's supposed to be nice in the spring when the wildflowers are everywhere. Probably not so great in the summer.

We always talk about hiking up there, but have yet to do it. I hiked up there once on a college field trip. It rained the entire day, so wasn't really great for sight-seeing.

I think I was up there once as a kid also...

But, you are correct, there are a ton of trails closed to bikes.

[Pain Freak]

I rode this about 6 years ago, and I think back on it fondly. But even then it was such an easy trail and I thought it would be a great place for a family ride, but not much else. It is one of the more nicer spots around though and if you want to check out wildlife, you have a good chance at seeing a lot here.

[Manchero]

Here are some photos from last December:

[mechmann]

Pain Freak...

Superman is not an easy trail. I am super-stoked to have some decent tech this close to home as a legal ride! I really need to see if i can talk the ranger into some re-routes though. Some of the steep chutes they just threw sand in the ruts. Not only are they not ride-able up (not to mention pretty hairy on the way down) but they won't last through even a slight rain. I think we can loop Superman with some of the other trails up there and have a really nice ride....

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by mechmann

Pain Freak...

Superman is not an easy trail. I am super-stoked to have some decent tech this close to home as a legal ride! I really need to see if i can talk the ranger into some re-routes though. Some of the steep chutes they just threw sand in the ruts. Not only are they not ride-able up (not to mention pretty hairy on the way down) but they won't last through even a slight rain. I think we can loop Superman with some of the other trails up there and have a really nice ride....

Keep me in the loop on this if you don't mind. I'm always looking for more techy stuff to practice my skills on, and SRP isn't far from home.