Change of Plans: Black Mountain Black Friday

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

Hmmm... you ever ridden Black Mountain?

I've been around there, but I couldn't figure out the route. I couldn't find the Miner's Loop.

It would be nice to get a tour of the place.

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

I've been around there, but I couldn't figure out the route. I couldn't find the Miner's Loop.

It would be nice to get a tour of the place.

Lets do it! Its pretty sweet, alot more fun than Sycamore IMO.

[Evil Chocula]

I'd change that description a little:

I woudn't park at the Carmel Valley P-Lot; I'd park by the fireroad on Maler Rd.
Hit this on Google Maps:
Maler Rd, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States

The route I take (which rocks) is basically up and over the mountain, so there will be a slow, gradual, 1000' climb/hike-a-bike at the beginning. Its over quick. There's also 1-2 sections that newbies will want to walk down; but the ride is still Newbie friendly (IMO!).

[nappyt]

Here's a map. Let me know how it goes. I've been meaning to check that trail out but it would be to much hike-a-bike for me.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by nappyt

Here's a map. Let me know how it goes. I've been meaning to check that trail out but it would be to much hike-a-bike for me.

From what I've read (somewhere?), there's a way to spin a loop or an out and back or something.

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

From what I've read (somewhere?), there's a way to spin a loop or an out and back or something.

The Miners Loop is a loop (duh), but its short. The loop from above is much longer, and better IMO, but if you want some easier, the Black Mountain Park parking lot of Carmel Valley Rd might be better. You might be like "Um, thats it?" though. I"m cool with either; jsut FYI, there isn't really much hike-a-bike, just a gradual fire road climb (on my loop).

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

The Miners Loop is a loop (duh), but its short. The loop from above is much longer, and better IMO, but if you want some easier, the Black Mountain Park parking lot of Carmel Valley Rd might be better. You might be like "Um, thats it?" though. I"m cool with either; jsut FYI, there isn't really much hike-a-bike, just a gradual fire road climb (on my loop).

Whatever it was I read had you going up the back I think, but I don't care. I just want to check the place out. You have a route. Works for me.

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

Whatever it was I read had you going up the back I think, but I don't care. I just want to check the place out. You have a route. Works for me.

Cool, this loop'll show most of the cool stuff up there, inlcuding Miners Loop.

[JOx2]

Originally Posted by .8down

but I need to get my 50 dolloar LCD screen hahaha

where? what store?

[GP_pilot]

Originally Posted by JOx2

where? what store?

Someone's off their rocker again & posting in the wrong forum.

[GP_pilot]

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

Cool, this loop'll show most of the cool stuff up there, inlcuding Miners Loop.

Which loop big loop are you thinking?

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by GP_pilot

Someone's off their rocker again & posting in the wrong forum.

It was a joke about Black Friday.

[el_d00der1n0]

I have climbed the mountain. And it was good. Surprisingly, the Ridge @ Sycamore is a tougher climb. I guess it's just that much steeper.

You can follow along if you like using MTBBill's map.

We spun up the fireroad (1) that meanders around the mountain all the way to the top. I think I could do most of it in my middle ring. I didn't know how long it would be, so I didn't try it. There were some nice views. You can see that there is a lot of trail there. You could easily blow a day or so there exploring.

EC took us down some "hella steep fireroad" (4) that I would hardly call fireroad. It has about 2 lines of single track skipping and bouncing down. I'm still a little gun shy, so I walked it. It's do-able though. Kinda like the 5#!7s.

Next we took the Miner's Ridge Loop (5) to the right. That was pretty fun. I'm looking forward to doing that one again. It has some tough (for me), ledgy spots that reminded me of Elfin's Way Up going down sans switchbacks. Maybe it was more like Martha's Grove then.

Next was the little blue line which is just some gravel fireroad.

Next EC showed me what not to do with the Canyon Trail. It's probably do-able for some, but I don't have any aspirations. It was loose, rutty, switchbacky, and had a suicide run at a bridge that, if you didn't make it, you would certainly be plastered against some rock face.

Then we took road and fireroad back to the parking area on Maler.

Fun ride overall. Thanks for showing me around EC.

[GP_pilot]

Canyon Trail is in pretty bad shape w/ pretty much unrideable ruttage. It's gotten progressively worse since the beginning of the year. About once/mo or so we ride it at lunch, but now we just skip it altogether. I still haven't made it down w/ out a ground sampling.

It's also too bad there isn't a trail between Miner's loop & the East side cutover on Bill's map.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it this morning w/ a very stiff back and a headache. Otherwise there's some more terrain I'd show.

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by GP_pilot

Canyon Trail is in pretty bad shape w/ pretty much unrideable ruttage. It's gotten progressively worse since the beginning of the year. About once/mo or so we ride it at lunch, but now we just skip it altogether. I still haven't made it down w/ out a ground sampling.

It's also too bad there isn't a trail between Miner's loop & the East side cutover on Bill's map.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it this morning w/ a very stiff back and a headache. Otherwise there's some more terrain I'd show.

I think that Canyon Trail should be closed to MTBers. There's really no way to take those steep switchbacks without dragging your rear brake and destroying the trail, and the whole things only a 10 minute ride anyways. I know a guy broke his neck there last year too.