Josephine Saddle/Strawberry Peak - Sat. Dec. 17th

[DtEW]

Me and some friends are doing the Josephine Saddle/Strawberry Peak loop this Saturday (12/17). It's a 16.6 mile loop (or 17.9 miles w/spur up to Josephine Peak) w/2500ft of climbing. Temperatures will be cold, probably in the 50's. Anyone game?

Guidebook comments:

"A single-track feast on some of the most challenging but fun paths in the area - definitely not for beginners or the squeamish."

"Aerobic difficulty: Difficult; a strenuous climb up to Josephine Saddle with intermittent, ateep single-track climbs."

"Technical difficulty: Very Difficult; an exceedingly narrow trail with steep drop-offs."

Some other info and GPS track can be found here:

http://www.singletrackmind.com/Trail...ia%20Index.htm

We're gonna meet at 8:00AM Saturday at the "JPL" parking lot (from 210 Fwy, exit Windsor, head north and look for a parking lot on left at 1/5 mile). From there we'll carpool up the Angeles Crest Hwy to Switzer's Picnic Area. From there we will start and end.

If you need to contact me, I can be reached at (909)223-2873 David.

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

I would have joined you if you would have posted the ride earlier

[RidetheRAAM4]

guess we will just have to plan the ride some other time right armando?

[pshloss]

The guidebook rating is a little out of date. Two years ago, a ton of trail work was done which made the singletrack section much more rideable. It's still definitely got some exposed (cliffside) sections, but they are much wider than they used to be. Still, it's a great loop that I highly recommend. I've done it twice recently. Definitely recommend the Josephine Peak spur. It actually adds about 3 miles, but it has a 360 degree view that can be really spectacular on a clear day.

[RidetheRAAM4]

we need to go on another ride....and since you are a ski expert you should go to aspen....im going dec 27 through either jan 1 or jan 2..if you go then i can get you on slope lodging for free!

[pshloss]

I have family obligations during that time, but I'm for rides before you go. Let me know if you want to meet somewhere. Did a pretty cool ride/hike today to check out some of the VQ course: Started at Live Oak and Trabuco Creek. Rode up Trabuco Creek & Trabuco Trail to West Horsethief. Hiked up West Horsethief to Main Divide. Then across Main Divide to Upper Holy Jim (gettin cold: 37 degrees!). Down Upper Holy Jim and Lower Holy Jim then back to the car. I think it was about 27 miles and 5200 vertical feet. The hike-a-bike on West Horsethief is going to be pretty tough after doing almost 9000 feet of climbing. But the good thing is that it is after the last checkpoint.

[DtEW]

Ended up ditching the Josephine Peak ride and instead rode Inspiration Point.

Great ride, Sam Merrill trail is as people say: demands caution. Inspiration Point is currently very cold (low 40's).

[Tom Cosgrove]

What happended Dave?
How did you ride up and down to inspiration pt.?
Tom