RR: Hurkey Creek

[genusmtbkr5]

Well I'll take a page out of Rut's book and say my ride started on The Fully Loop this past Thurs. Only got in 1 lap and then went to Roscoes, I stayed out way too late! I woke up 4 1/2 hours later Friday morning and drove out to San Clemente single tracks were John(KeepsWhatHappens) and I were joined by 7 Trail Angels. That was a blast! We did about 12 miles or so on this ride. After getting some grub at Pizza Port, I headed home to pack up for my weekend campout to Hurkey Creek. It took me forever to get my $h!t together! I didn't get on the road till 5:30pm and finally arrived at Hurkey Creek well after dark. I set up camp made it an early night.

SAT: We got up early and ate some breakfast. 3 of us went out for our first lap. It was mine and John's first time there so we let Tom J. lead. I tell ya, last week Noble and now this, I was loving life. This course is sweet. Just the right amount of climbs and descents and still very fast. We got back to camp and after a short rest, we went out again, this time for a hot lap.

When we got back, there were new arrivals at the camp. They wanted to check out Alvin Meadows/Optimater trail in Idyllwild. We got there about 1pm and it was hot. Some of us were thinking this might be a bad idea since we've already ridden 20+ miles already. We wandered around for about 30-40 min looking for this trailhead till we finally found it. It was short but well worth the trip. Has tight turns and sections similar to Lower HJ, also log rolls and log jump. This was a sweet single track and for those going up for the 24 hr race in 2 weeks, I'll be going to hit it on my way home if you want to join me.

Got back to camp and after relaxing for a few I went out again. The late afternoon ride was nice. The temps were down and a nice breeze was blowing through the meadow. By the time I got back to camp, I was wasted! I just wanted to shower, eat and sleep. A few guys went out for a night run. After dinner, we got to drinking and I stayed up till about 11:30 or so. I wanted to get a predawn ride in, but there were no takers.

SUN: I got up at 4:30 and rolled out at 5:15. it was still dark and cold . I got to the meadow and waited for the sun to come up, but realized it may take a while since it had to make it over the ridge. So I went on and climbed up this trail to get a better view and what a view it was. The sun was just making it's way over the peak and I got my photo shot. I continued on with my morning lap and when I got back to camp the rest of the group was having breakfast.

Once everyone was fed, they decided to get in one more before we start to pack up so I joined them. This was supposed to be a nice mellow pace, but we were join by several along the way and we started to hammer. We got back to camp and we all were spent. After breaking down camp, we relaxed a bit before we hit the long drive back to OC.

On my way home I decided to stop and check out the Path Sale. "I won't stay long" I thought. When I got there, there were several other STR folks on hand. After chatting with several folks, eating some tacos, watching bike stunts, wheelie contest and flat tire contest, somehow I agreed to ride the Oaks. WHAT! well it was a mellow ride and I had good company(Trail Angels Anne & Danielle). By the time I was done with this weekend ride, I logged in 67.1 miles and about 8,452 ft of elevation gain, not counting Thurs Fully Loop and Friday's San Clemente ride. Anyone riding tomorrow? DON'T CALL ME!

Sorry for the long post and lack of pics. Just too busy riding.

Just before day break in the Meadow



Self photo with then help of a fallen tree as my tripod


Sun Rise



The View was nice



Me and my shadow


And of course...,




Trail Angels Anne & Danielle At Santiago Oaks after the Path sale

[mottmcfly]

Thank you for getting up so early and taking such amazing shots.


Mott

[Singletrack Angel]

Gene, I think you you'd better see a doctor - I think you have mountain biking fever!

Great time at Hurkey Creek - we're all ready to go again soon.

[allison]

Nice shots and RR, Gene! Good seeing you yesterday afternoon as well.

I logged 14.5 miles for the weekend. Not including a really short ride at the beach on Saturday afternoon

Love the first shot of the meadow. Hurkey is an awesome place to ride. Next time you're up there (for fun, not racing) there are some more awesome trails in the area. I think someone (Scott, ??) needs to set up an Oct camping weekend for Hurkey, Thomas Mtn/Ramona Trail, and a shuttle ride!

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by allison

I think someone (Scott, ??) needs to set up an Oct camping weekend for Hurkey, Thomas Mtn/Ramona Trail, and a shuttle ride!

We are talking about it, it fits somewhere into our closing weekend Mammoth trip, Epic Riders Gooseberry/Brainhead weekend, and our Mt. Elden/Flagstaff/Sedona weekend. Can't miss the Aspens turning colors.

Dean

[JustBike]

Nice photos.. Some of them remind me of Inyo Crater @ mammoth.

[OMR]

Certianly looks like you had enough riding... some nice artsy pictures too! I haven't ridden that area very much (twice) but want to go again... We'll miss you at Noble next weekend.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Singletrack Angel

Gene, I think you you'd better see a doctor - I think you have mountain biking fever!

I've had this sickness for a while now, lets hope it's contagious! Not riding today , just relaxing at the pool.

[ezzyride]

Gene,

Thanks for sharing your pics. It's nice to see Hurkey Creek heard about it from the person who told me about mtnbiking.

It's was nice seeing you yesterday.

Enjoy relaxing today.

[Neccros]

Originally Posted by Singletrack Angel

Gene, I think you you'd better see a doctor - I think you have mountain biking fever!

Great time at Hurkey Creek - we're all ready to go again soon.

I got a fever! And the only prescription.. is more cowbell!!!!!!

nice pics Gene!!!

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Good ride report Gene. Awesome trails indeed. STR needs to plan a camping/riding trip up their sooner than later. Maybe just after the 24 hour event?

Now here's some photos to add to your story.

hurkeypano01.jpg
Riders crossing the beautiful meadow section of the 24 hour course
hurkeypano02.jpg
MtnbikeJ hammering up a technical hillblimb section just past Exfoliator on his SS.
hurkeypano03.jpg
MtnbikeJ and Mark W. get survey the valley below as we get ready to head down Tunnel of Love. This trail is like the Luge but more flowing and rocks to jump off of or you can steer around them
IMG_6247.jpg
My 7-year-old daughter Megan cruising in the campground.
IMG_6248.jpg
Family ride time.
IMG_6252.jpg
Megan heading up Hurkey Creek Trail
IMG_6255.jpg
Hurkey Creek Trail getting steeper as it goes.
IMG_6259.jpg
An ad for Camelbak.
IMG_6260.jpg
My son Ryan getting a ride from me around the camp.
IMG_6261.jpg
More riders in the meadow trail section.
IMG_6291.jpg
Gene and the Warriors heading out for another lap.
IMG_6264.jpg
Another shot of riders in the meadow section.
IMG_6287.jpg
Gene and others at the campfire kicking back.

Sorry I didn't take more riding action photos...we were all having too much fun riding!

KeepsWhatHappens

http://www.johnearly.com/rides

[mtnbikej]

Here are some more pics. Sorry, I didn't take any after the first part of the trail. Was having too much fun to stop and take pics.

KeepsWhatHappens & Family




The views in Hurkey Creek




More Views


Mark W. & Howls at the Moon



Starting the ride with the Warrior's....




End of the first climb


The fun will ensue shortly....


Suzanne smiles because she knows downhill is just ahead


Suzanne diggin the g-out......


The other Suzanne...Suzanne W.....not my Suzanne....


Mark W. on the g-out


Howls at the Moon using all his travel.



Trail snakes up the hill on the first climb.



The course is in great shape.

[Pain Freak]

Trail looks great right now. I'd say if we get much rain that section in the last picture will disappear again, but we'll just re do it again. I miss Hurkey, I got to get up there.

[the_un4gvn]

I rode this trail a few weeks ago. Simply amazing! Can't wait to go back for the Exfoliator.

[LncNuvue]

Rode Hurkey Sunday - We did the extended loop, take the course out to the oak tree and turn left up the fireroad to single track down, there is a lot of fun stuff up there. Big boulders to climb over and twisty ST. Tunnel of Love is probably the best high speed section on the course - overall pretty mellow trails but fun.