Lower Sam Merrill/Sunset Ridge/El Prieto Loop: 12-22-2007

[davidB]

can't go, but i've only been up there twice. How do you get from the JPL lot to LSM? I've only ever gone up the fireroad to Brown Mtn

nevermind, think you guys are just riding east over to LSM?

[MotoRider]

I'm gonna hit midnight ridazz friday night and ride EP saturday afternoon. Hope to see you on the trails!

http://www.midnightridazz.com/viewStory.php?storyId=274

[Pain Freak]

Vic,Are you going to the dinner tonight?

[VTVic]

Originally Posted by davidB

...there twice. How do you get from the JPL lot to LSM? I've only ever gone up the fireroad to Brown Mtn

Instead of riding through the gate into El Prieto, we take a right on the street (can't remember the name) right from the lot and ride to Lincoln where we make a left up to Alta Loma. On Alto Loma we make a right till it ends. This is where Lake Ave ends as well, which is where the LSM trail head is...

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Vic,Are you going to the dinner tonight?

I'll be there...

[chanca]

JPL Lot: Windsor Ave & Ventura St, Altadena, CA
Start of Lower Sam Merrill Trail: E Loma Alta Dr & Lake Ave, Altadena, CA

Use Google Maps and you can see the road portion. It takes about 20-30 minutes because there is an elevation gain on the road portion. When we ride it, we usually like to save our legs by shuttling the road portion, then adding in an additional section up Mt. Lowe road to Inspiration Point to come down Middle Sam Merrill Trail back to the White City ruins.

One of my favorite and most humbling trails out there. Pads suggested.

[Sprockethead]

Vic,

I'm seriously thinking about this ride, I might head up further though to Mt. Lowe Campground and add in Middle Merrill. Just thinking about it right now, but if you guys are up for it, I can be easily talked into it.

[VTVic]

Originally Posted by chanca

JPL Lot: Windsor Ave & Ventura St, Altadena, CA
Start of Lower Sam Merrill Trail: E Loma Alta Dr & Lake Ave, Altadena, CA

Thanks on the correction.

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

Vic,
I'm seriously thinking about this ride, I might head up further though to Mt. Lowe Campground and add in Middle Merrill. Just thinking about it right now, but if you guys are up for it, I can be easily talked into it.

Depending on timing and how everyone is doing we can definitely throw Inspiration Pt/Middle Merrill into the mix. It'll be about another 3 mile climb on fire road and not to mention the nice single track downhill on MSM back down to White City ruins. Hope to see you out there

One more thing, parking on JPL is limited on the weekends so the earlier you get there the better. I live in Glendora off the 210 just west of the 57. If anyone wants to carpool PM me and I'll respond sometime tonight

[mullarks]

Andy, let me know if you want to do this ride, I am looking to do a longer ride on Saturday.

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

Vic,

I'm seriously thinking about this ride, I might head up further though to Mt. Lowe Campground and add in Middle Merrill. Just thinking about it right now, but if you guys are up for it, I can be easily talked into it.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

Vic,

I'm seriously thinking about this ride, I might head up further though to Mt. Lowe Campground and add in Middle Merrill. Just thinking about it right now, but if you guys are up for it, I can be easily talked into it.

2 weeks in a row??? You must of really like it.

[mazer75]

Hey, may not be able to do this ride, but I was wondering what you guys think the trail conditions will be in the San Gabes tomorrow. Too soon after the rains? Or will things have dried out after today? Thanks for the advice--

[MotoRider]

Originally Posted by mazer75

Hey, may not be able to do this ride, but I was wondering what you guys think the trail conditions will be in the San Gabes tomorrow. Too soon after the rains? Or will things have dried out after today? Thanks for the advice--

It should be ok.

[tkblazer]

i'll be some where in those mountains... not sure where though

[EMrider]

I rode Brown/El Prieto today. Dirt conditions and temps were perfect.
R

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by mazer75

Hey, may not be able to do this ride, but I was wondering what you guys think the trail conditions will be in the San Gabes tomorrow. Too soon after the rains? Or will things have dried out after today? Thanks for the advice--

Pretty much all decomposed granite does well after the rains. San Gabes, Sycamore etc.

[VTVic]

Originally Posted by mazer75

Hey, may not be able to do this ride, but I was wondering what you guys think the trail conditions will be in the San Gabes tomorrow. Too soon after the rains? Or will things have dried out after today? Thanks for the advice--

My best time to ride the San Gabriels is a day or two after the rains. It drains pretty well and its usually nicely packed. Tough climbs that are usually hard to make when dry are pretty easy to own around this time.
So far about six of us (ermtb.com) will be doing the ride tomorrow...see you there if you can make it.

[Endo Verendo]

Since I'm about to go out for some drinks now, I thought I'd ask if anyone is interested in joining me at a later start time?