Harding-Main Divide-Joplin/STT/Luge

[Ladd Jasper]

FXRob mentioned this route in another thread, thought it deserved its own.

I've developed a recent phobia for shuttles, so would prefer Harding over Maple Springs for this outing.

This should be a really good ride. I've been up Harding before, but never down Joplin. I understand it can get rather technical, but is usually completely rideable.

Could definitely be done as a long loop, though the final climb up Modjeska Grade Rd. might be a killer. Skipping the Luge and continuing to the STT trailhead would make for much less road riding at the end, but no Luge. Tough choice, I know, but might be a no-brainer at the Luge turnoff. Can take stock and make that choice when the time comes.

Next Sunday sounds good to me. Anyone else?

[CalEpic]

I'd be in for either. Personally, I would rather leave vehicles at Cooks and shuttle. I think the parking situation on Modjeska is pretty sketchy.

Shall we make a checklist for you Dell?

C

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

How much distance and elevation gain for a loop??

My vote goes for doing a loop, I'd like to avoid a shuttle.

[Von-Diggity]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

I'd be in for either. Personally, I would rather leave vehicles at Cooks and shuttle. I think the parking situation on Modjeska is pretty sketchy.

Shall we make a checklist for you Dell?

C

I would rather climb up Maple Springs, than climb up Harding. The climb up Harding is about 10 miles, while the climb up Silverado is about 7 miles. Both are fireroads, but I like the climb up Silverado better. This would make for a nice shuttle.

[TURNERob]

I'd vote for the shuttle also and go up MS. That way we get to do the Luge also instead of climbing that section of STT after the Luge on the way out. I guess for those of you who want more mileage you could always go up to the Peak and come back down to Joplin.

I guess for those totally against shuttling we can just have our seperate groups and maybe we'll see each other up on Main Divide somewhere

I'm in, lets shuttle, we'll have my truck to work into the equation too.

I was thinking of driving up Maple Springs to the peaks on saturday, anyone else with a truck or 4x4 wanna join me?

[TURNERob]

Dell, you not wanting to shuttle is just a reflection of how much you enjoyed your road ride on Sunday ins't it? Let's just all take a vote and then figure it out....either way it should be a fun ride.

[JamR]

Another option is to stage at Cooks, then take the Road warm-up to the bottom of Harding.

That way at the end you get the Luge, and a quick downhill roll to some beer

[Von-Skipp]

Heres a pic of the start of Joplin from the MainDivide.




I like JamR's idea of starting at Cooks. *This way there is no shuttle, lots of parking, road warmup, ride the LUGE and once were done with the LUGE were back at the cars for drinks and burgers. *

Anyone else agree

I rode Joplin last summer... *expect overgrown bushes, a stream crossing, and a couple boulder drops that could qualify for 5ft hucks.

Hey DINO: Lance and I were thinking of driving up there. Or maybe start at Silverado and cruise to Ortega. But I might be tempted to ride on Sat now that my bike is rolling.

[TURNERob]

Perhaps we can just set a meeting time at the bottom of Harding and for those of us that want to shuttle we can still do that. First of all we have to determine if everyone is cool with climbing Harding instead of Maple Springs??? I have never climbed Harding, so I'm fine with climbing it but I'd like to skip the road ride from Cook's personally.

[ECOdork]

That sounds like a great ride! All sorts of possibilities!

I'll have to bow out of this one as my pops is coming to town this weekend. I'm looking forward to showing him the Santa Ana's but we'll be doing it on foot.

And you say we pass Joplin between the peaks???
That's what I thought I have heard, but I've never seen it myself

I hope you guys work the kinks out of this ride so we can do it again before too long!

[Ladd Jasper]

If we're going to shuttle, let's make it worth the effort and climb Maple Springs. Pretty sure I can conquer that phobia in time...

If we decide on Harding, let's skip the shuttle and just meet at that trailhead--there's usually ample parking right there at the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. Again, that would mean either a climb up Modjeska Grade at the end or skip the Luge. Neither are going anywhere, and will be there next time.

Staging at Cook's is another good option. Gets the uphill road bit out of the way right off.

Any combination of these is acceptable as well, as long as I eventually, by car or bike, parachute or snowboard, wind up at Cook's w/ a cold mug of Newcastle in my hand.


Craig: A checklist just might be in order, as long as someone else holds it--I'd probably just forget the damn thing.

Bret: I'm off Saturday (so far) and think I might join you.

[JamR]

Sounds like a great ride, and I need to get in a long one.....but I'll need to do it on Saturday. Have some trail work happening on Sunday.

You guy's have fun on Sunday

[dstepper]

It has been awhile, but my recollection is, climbing the pavement section of Maple Springs is worse than climbing Harding. Yes Harding is longer but I don’t remember it being that much steeper.

Dell/Kippie, lets drive on Saturday! Should be fun, and we can still hit Cooks after that tough drive!

I'm up for a Maple Springs starting point on Sunday. Every time i ride STT and see Harding across the way it just looks very uninviting to me.

[dstepper]

To me things aways look steeper from a distance. Some of those roads you see from STT are not Harding.

[Von-Skipp]

Originally Posted by DINO

Dell/Kippie, lets drive on Saturday! Should be fun, and we can still hit Cooks after that tough drive!

I'm up for a Maple Springs starting point on Sunday. Every time i ride STT and see Harding across the way it just looks very uninviting to me.

We'll see DINO. Maybe I or US could combine the drive with a short ride (like you drop me off at the peaks and I cruise down \/ )


I dont remember Harding being that steep, just the very beginning starts immediately climbing.

I still vote for parking at Cooks and climb Harding. This ride wont nearly have as much climbing and distance than last weekends.

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by IntenseKipp

We'll see DINO. Maybe I or US could combine the drive with a short ride (like you drop me off at the peaks and I cruise down \/ )

Shit, I'll call in sick to work and bring my AS-X and Bret can drop us off at the peak \/ Sounds good to me!

D'oh

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by DINO

D'oh

What I'll give you gas money