RR: Blackstar to Seirra Peak

[maxwell]

Well, since I'm getting ready for the Bend Big Fat Tour in Oregon, I've been doing some fireroad climbing on Wenesday mornings, after work.

It was nice and COOL for a change!

Last week I started at the end of Silverado Canyon Rd. and went up Maple springs to Four Corners. Ended up with just under 24 miles, and somewhere around 3000 ft of climbing.

I was checking out Egoladders for routes, and saw Blackstar to Seirra Peak. http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=2916
Inertesting.
I'd always thought Seirra Peak was one of the antenna covered peaks that you pass riding towards the Motorway.

Wrong!

It's in the other direction!

I thought that going that way took you straight down Skyline into Corona. But, just before you make the right turn that keeps going down, you keep left, head towards the green building, and keep following the fireroad. At this point though, make sure NOT to keep going downhill to the left! That's what I did!
It takes you up, and down, along a ridge that all of a sudden comes to an end. It added about a mile to my ride, with a little more climbing, so I can't complain about that. It actually looks like a cool, rideable trail heading down, but since I was by myself, there was no exploring.
There are quite a few gates that have what look to be roads, that turn into trails, all along this side of Main Divide.
The fireroad is typical Main Divide, with some good climbing, and short downhill sections to gain some speed for the next climb.

I ended up with 24.5 miles, and somewhere around 3300 ft of climbing.

Here's a few pictures;

My destination in the distance......



looking back down at the "wrong way ridge"



an interesting "future" ride........





Seirra Peak, up close and personal......



And looking back at Beak's Place and "the golfball" in the distance.



All and all, a pretty cool fireroad ride!

[CPATCRASH]

Still sounds fun. Even with the detour.

[dstepper]

Maxwell THX for the RR. On my Franko Map there is a area over there called Little Moab. I have been wating to do over there and check it out. Did you find any slickrock playground?

[maxwell]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Maxwell THX for the RR. On my Franko Map there is a area over there called Little Moab. I have been wating to do over there and check it out. Did you find any slickrock playground?

I had the same map in my pocket durring the ride.
One of the "off shoot" gates looks like it leads down to that area.

When it get's cooler, I'm all for a exploring ride.

[jcampbell]

That would be an interesting ride. I flew over that area and landed a heli in that canyon a while back and it looks awersome back there. If you need someone to go with I am down.

Last year I rode a few of those trails that connect to blackstar after I too bought that Franco Map. I saw hunters up near Sierra last year and the beginning of this year when I was training for CC. They were in that valley to the left of Sierra Peak. Be careful with those guys around.

That Franco Map shows this road called MWD, I did the whole thing and also explored back in the canyons and back out to Irvine lake. There are some gnarly climbs on some of those roads. Then I saw a ranger one day on the way out and figured out that most if not all of those trails between Blackstar and Weir are illegal. That was a lot of talking and I am now supposedly on the list, good thing I gave them a bum name.

[OMR]

Originally Posted by jcampbell

I am now supposedly on the list, good thing I gave them a bum name.

So that's how Chris Vargas' name got on the list... (JK)

Seriously, I'd be down for more exploring back there. Might check with Keith E. as he knows the area back there fairly well.

OMR

[Schecky]

Pfunk and I climbed up to the Tecate cypress/Mini Moab area from Coal Canyon a while back.
It was an OK climb, but we never got to the Moab area, due to time.
I'd be up for checking it out.
Nice RR!

[maxwell]

In the book Mountain Biking Orange County by Randy Vogel, he mentions a Wardlow Ridge trail.

"Wardlow Ridge Trail: This little known trail is an old firebreak trail that dives off the Main Divde. From the junction of Skyline and Main Divide, turn right and ride about 1.9 miles toward Seirra Peak. Look for this trail on your right. It descends directly down the ridgeline between Wardlow and Fresno Canyons. Near the bottom, the trail splits, joining various horse trails. These trails lead to the Serfas Club Drive area of western Corona.
This trail has the potential of being one of the best "extreme" trails in the area."

This trail was a little closer to Seirra Peak, and it shot down at an angle, so I couldn't see how far down it went. But it sure looked like a lot of FUN!

[OMR]

Originally Posted by maxwell

This trail has the potential of being one of the best "extreme" trails in the area."

Just await'n to be explored... and cooler weather...

OMR

[donkey]

The area on the map labeled "mini moab" is a bit of a let down. To my knowledge there isn't any riding to be had...just good scenery. It's located right where the Coal Canyon Truck Trail meets the fire road that utimately crosses under the 241 and leads into the Irvine Land below Santiago Oaks.

It's a good spot for a trailside party or campout but that's about it:-)

B

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by donkey

The area on the map labeled "mini moab" is a bit of a let down. To my knowledge there isn't any riding to be had...just good scenery. It's located right where the Coal Canyon Truck Trail meets the fire road that utimately crosses under the 241 and leads into the Irvine Land below Santiago Oaks.

It's a good spot for a trailside party or campout but that's about it:-)

B

Disappointing, but thanks Brian.

[kentonn]

Originally Posted by maxwell

Egoladders

Nice!