RR: Revisiting Chantry 10/13/07

[Dino Brown]

Wow- Yet another EPIC RIDE in the San Gabriel's.

Saturday morning, Coleko, KBL, Mt Dew, Tedroy and "Yours Truly" set out to add another notch to our SG belts. To be honest, I am surprised the ride even happened. For starters, the ride was not made final until 8pm Friday evening. By 9pm it was raining. At 3:45am, the rain was so intense- it woke me up!!! Once the clock hit 6:30am- all hell broke loose (i.e. pm's/phone calls). "... It's pouring at my house.... you think we should go... will the road be open.... will the trail be muddy... I can't see the mountains from my house."

Thankfully, we decided to take a chance. What we were treated to were TRULY amazing ride conditions. The drainage in the SG's is unbelievable. Trees shielded us from any (and all) water droplets. The (normally sandy) soil was tacky. My ride buddies couldn't have been cooler. Best part was watching the expression on people's faces. Mt Dew hadn't been to the SG's for a while. Coleko had NEVER visited before.

Our Loop- Started at the Chantry parking lot. Rode Winter Creek.... Hike-A-Biked for (30 minutes) up the steep Mt. Zion Trail... Followed the Gabrielino Trail past Spruce Grove.... Cascade Picnic Area..... Rode past Sturnevant..... Climbed First Water... Back to the parking lot. Note: If mistakes were made- correct me.

Ride stats: Around 11 miles (felt like 20 miles) ..... Total climb (TBA- I would say ALOT) Total Elevation Change (TBA)

What's it Like? Tree lined. Very narrow singletrack. Very steep dropoffs. Beautiful views. Stream crossings. The Zion hike-a-bike may be a deal breaker for some. The final steep climb (another potential deal breaker) is a fireroad called "Heart Attack Hill." KBL (Kevin) decided we were worthy of a different route.... First Water... (aka Heart Attack Singletrack). Quite challenging! I will most definitely climb it again though. The pictures...

Our crew: KBL, Mt Dew, Coleko and Tedroy

The perfect day.....

Coleko "grinning" from ear to ear

A (NOT) so steep section

Honestly Dino, enough with the pictures

I think I'll walk...

The Man... The Myth... The Tedroy!

This Bike helped me to lose 50 pounds!

Broken chain.... Thanks for the support

Dude, STOP with the pictures already


More to come...

[Tedroy]

I am now officially known as "Gramps with the Cramps"
Call me GooGooMock! Awesome day with great folks!

[KBL]

More pics! More pics!

Dino: Thanks for posting this up, and thanks for taking the time to snap the photos on the trail.

Hopefully we'll get some more O.C. riders to make the drive and sample the oh-so-tasty San Gabriels.

It's significant to note the rain the night before our ride. We were still able to ride despite the wet weather. By contrast, as soon as it even gets foggy the Fullerton Loop, Chino Hills, and many trails (not all) in the Santa Anas turn to mush. The San Gabs are rocky and sandy, so a little rain is no problem. Some of those rock faces do get a little slick when they're wet...

[guero]

nice DB, lemme know when the next one of these go's down, im in!!!

[Dino Brown]

Tedroy and Dino sharing a "PRIVATE" moment

Finally, a place WE (my bike and I) feel WELCOMED

You think that's rideable?

A picture is worth 1,000 words

The amazing Tedroy NARROWLY avoiding a HUGE rock drop

Mt Dew- Cool Dude... XC monster.... Future singlespeeder?

Tedroy... Trust me- The guy should be racing DH at Fontana

BORING: Still haven't found a trail my Iron Horse couldn't handle

How GREAT was the "Heart Attack Singletrack?"

The Heart Attack Singletrack? Tedroy Ain't Gonna Be Happy!

Alright... who the F#%K chose that trail?

KBL- It was you... wasn't it? How would you like to die?


Note: KBL was not harmed in any way. Interestingly, he has NOT answered his phone for two days. Hmmm... I am sure he is busy!

[dstepper]

Nice pics...got to love that area. I like the swing shots at Camp Sturtevant.

Next Sunday, Stjunkie and I are starting at Chantry but at Hoegees instead of up over Zion we are going up Upper Winter Creek on to the top of Wilson. From there we have not made up our mind, I am wanting to go down Mt. Wilson Trail because I have not been on it, but our routes seem to change as we ride. All we know is that it will intail some hike-a-biking up Upper Winter Creek...steep....but new dirt so I got to do it.

[KBL]

Ummm...climbing the Heart Attack Singletrack was its own death wish...and somehow I think I'll do it again.

Please...no KBL voodoo dolls!

[Tedroy]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Next Sunday, Stjunkie and I are starting at Chantry but instead of up over Zion we are going up Upper Winter Creek on to the top of Wilson. From there we have not made up our mind, I am waiting to go Mt. Wilson Trail but our routes seem to change as we ride. All we know is that it will intail some hike-a-biking.

You is in for some STEPPIN' Steppie! Better done the other way, (AKA shuttle from Wilson). Good luck and bring food! There are bars in Sierra Madre (at the bottom of the Mt.Wilson trail) that will fix you up on your way back to Chantry. Hit the Buccaneer!

KBL... You is a monster boy! Climb anything! Wow

[Schecky]

My first ride at Chantry was in pouring rain. So great!
I questioned the rain the whole drive there, and then apologized the whole drive back 'cause it was so amazing.
Great RR! Bret, lets get there soon.

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Next Sunday, Stjunkie and I..... are starting at Chantry but at Hoegees instead of up over Zion we are going up Upper Winter Creek on to the top of Wilson. From there we have not made up our mind, I am waiting to go down Mt. Wilson Trail because I have not been on it, but our routes seem to change as we ride. All we know is that it will intail some hike-a-biking up Upper Winter Creek...steep....but new dirt so I got to do it.

Steppie... Stjunkie... Sunday... The San Gabriel's- I'm In!!!!

1) I am not 100% sure... I do believe Upper Winter Creek to Wilson is 5...6...7 miles. Starting at the Wilson fork, they will be UPHILL miles!!! Just want people to know!

2) Chantry and JPL (presumably, the end of our ride) are many miles apart! Vehicles in two locations will require a bit of coordination. Not a problem.

3) The Loop you are considering (WILL) have plenty of exposure (i.e. dropoffs, cliffs, narrow trails etc.). Note to STR members: please consider this before joining the ride.

4) The Loop Steppie is considering will require a bit of cardiovascular fitness. If you don't have your biking lungs....

Not trying to scare anyone off- Just want everyone to know what is in store for them. Once we start, it's not that easy to turn around and ride (DOWN) to your car!

[ka0t1c07]

Damn Dean, I always wanted to go that way but never had the time or riders with me. Sucks for me, im going to be out of town.

Tin

[KBL]

The trail between Upper Winter Creek and the Mt. Wilson Toll Road is freakin' nasty...it does, however, connect to the Mt. Wilson trail that goes up Little Santa Anita Canyon.

Tedroy: I've never been up or down the whole Mt. Wilson trail. I've hiked the first mile or so from the bottom. What's the rest of it like?

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

2) Chantry and JPL (presumably, the end of our ride) are many miles apart! Vehicles in two locations will require a bit of coordination. Not a problem

No JPL. Thinking about a big loop ending back at Chantry or down Mt. Wilson Trail.

[KBL]

Tedroy has a good suggestion about Sierra Madre. Even if you're not a drinker (I'm not) Sierra Madre's downtown section is a pretty cool place. There's a free parking lot with 48-hour parking and several eateries. This is all off of Sierra Madre Blvd. which connects to Santa Anita Ave. (the road up to Chantry Flat).

[COLEKO]

Thanks Dino for the RR and pictures. Man what can I say. That ride was the first time I did anything like that and lets not talk about the slick rocks. I scared Dino a few times on that ride. I can still hear him saying "Your not going to make it!" The hike a bike was rough but the views and single track to come made it worth while. Im sure everyone enjoyed my squeaky brakes on the way down.

Dino,KBL,MtDew,Tedroy it was a pleasure doing this ride together. Great group to ride with. Hopefully no one got poison oak.

[KBL]

Originally Posted by COLEKO

Thanks Dino for the RR and pictures. Man what can I say. That ride was the first time I did anything like that and lets not talk about the slick rocks. I scared Dino a few times on that ride. I can still hear him saying "Your not going to make it!" The hike a bike was rough but the views and single track to come made it worth while. Im sure everyone enjoyed my squeaky brakes on the way down.

Dino,KBL,MtDew,Tedroy it was a pleasure doing this ride together. Great group to ride with. Hopefully no one got poison oak.

Squeaky brakes scare the mountain lions away. No poison oak here. My skin is still as pinkish ghostly white as ever.

Way to handle the trails, sir! You've now boldly pedaled where many fear to tread.