Black Mtn / Santa Luz Super Loop - Sat 8:00 AM

[Solo]

I need to start increasing my weekend mileage and this is a quick way to do it. Probably not a newb ride and will be a moderate pace. Looking for a few good souls to come share in the pain, tears, and victory.

Proposed route - start up main fire road to Black Mtn, head east (counterclockwise) around the normal loop, down Derailleur (Bushwacker), across the valley, one time around Miners, cross the street, run Santa Luz clockwise (gotta get that last long climb in up the powerlines) back across the street and pick up the fire road connector back to start.

Guessing around 25 miles, +4,000' elevaton gain, and 4-5 hours.

Meeting location up for discussion, thinking one of the cul de sacs near the base of Black Mtn.

I'd like to meet around 7:45 and start riding at 8:00.

Here is a pic of the general route

[atomrat]

Where is Deraileur (Bushwacker) Trail? I ride Black mountain often, but some trails aren't marked.

You could also include Canyon Rim Trail. SDMBA worked on the trail last Saturday.

[Solo]

I know, I don't think there are any trail markers beyond Miners. Derailleur is that steep little trail coming down through the bushes on the west side of Ebony Hill.

I haven't ridden Canyon Rim yet, but can throw it in the mix!

[quaestionis]

I can't make it this Saturday, but this is right in my backyard and I'd be interested in doing it again sometime when I'm free.

I have never ridden Black Mountain starting from the North side, and would like to ride it sometime with someone who knows their way around. I have only come up the paved road off Carmel Valley road and done the Miner's Loop.

JMG

[el_d00der1n0]

up and over leads to derailleur. i had like 5 sticks in my back wheel when i went the one time.

so the santa luz is the connector to lpq?

[quaestionis]

I tried to embed the map I have of a ride similar to this one, but couldn't, so you can see it here: http://jamesmtbblog.blogspot.com/200...ing-black.html

Santa Luz doesn't connect completely to LPQ, but it gets very close via Camino del Sur. You can kind of see it on my map if you follow the link and scroll to the bottom.

[Solo]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

up and over leads to derailleur. i had like 5 sticks in my back wheel when i went the one time.

so the santa luz is the connector to lpq?

Santa Luz itself is somewhat uneventful, around 11 miles or so and +1,700 elevation gain. It also can be connected to LPQ for a super duper loop like 31 miles. I was saving that one for next!

I'll post some route pics when I get home.

[Solo]

MTB Bill has a good page on his website with a map showing Santa Luz in relationship to Black Mtn and LPQ. It also gives a lot of good info on the LPQ/Santa Luz connector.

http://www.mountainbikebill.com/imag...ntaLuzArea.jpg

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by Solo

Santa Luz itself is somewhat uneventful, around 11 miles or so and +1,700 elevation gain. It also can be connected to LPQ for a super duper loop like 31 miles. I was saving that one for next!

I'll post some route pics when I get home.

yeah, i've been thinking that's the lpq epic. maybe throw in sycamore canyon. nappyt did some recon on connecting sycamore to lpq.

i think the epic would just climb black mountain and go down miner's though. up and over is a lot of pushing.

[Solo]

C'mon, no takers?

[el_d00der1n0]

sorry for setting up a competing ride man.

[Solo]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

sorry for setting up a competing ride man.

No worries, I can't compete with the dOOder. I was thinking about cancelling my own ride and ride Sycamore instead... until I thought about the creek crossings! Just save that part for very last, nothing worse than riding with wet shoes.
Were you going to add Tip Top to the ride? Pretty fun stuff.

[el_d00der1n0]

bajafresh made me do it.

Originally Posted by Solo

No worries, I can't compete with the dOOder. I was thinking about cancelling my own ride and ride Sycamore instead... until I thought about the creek crossings! Just save that part for very last, nothing worse than riding with wet shoes.
Were you going to add Tip Top to the ride? Pretty fun stuff.

is tip top the ridge? where you turn left after martha's and climb? if i was geared, i'd do it, but i dunno about that one on the ss. the descent would be rough with the rigid.

[Solo]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

bajafresh made me do it.



is tip top the ridge? where you turn left after martha's and climb? if i was geared, i'd do it, but i dunno about that one on the ss. the descent would be rough with the rigid.

Tip Top is the section directly NE and above the parking area. After you come down Martha's go left up Cardiac to the ridge (fire road) and go left. There is a gate leading to the trails.
Cardiac may suck on a SS.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by Solo

Tip Top is the section directly NE and above the parking area. After you come down Martha's go left up Cardiac to the ridge (fire road) and go left. There is a gate leading to the trails.
Cardiac may suck on a SS.

yeah, prolly not gonna do that.