El Moro loop suggestions ?

[dirtyjeff]

I haven't ridden at El Moro in about 15 years (I used to ride there alot , including some of the areas that are/were frowned upon by the local authorities), any suggestions for a fun loop , maybe starting from the parking lot ? I don't mind the uphills as long as I can come back down on a fun singletrack or fast fireroad. Thanks for any help !

[dirtvert]

first, start from ridge park rd. (off of newport coast). it eliminates a lot of fireroad climbs--and parking fees and crowds--and you can hit the s/t a lot quicker, including those in laguna coast wilderness. pm me for details or if you want to ride together (maybe tomorrow?).

s'later
doug

[ladera Dave]

I recommend you include rattel snake to Mach 1, Good Luck, Great Park to train in.

[Chewyeti]

do BFI to missing link to redtail ridge and rattlesnake. Good loop, decent climbing and some nice tech downhill singletrack

[Wrecker]

Don't forget BVD or crossing over to Laguna for Erection--fun singletrack down

[newpos]

parking lot - down to the bottom to el moro canyon - i think i can - el moro ridge - missing link - fenceline - rattlesnake - mach one - moro canyon - parking lot


some fireroad climbing, single track, and fast/technical descents

[Bryguy17]

keep in mind, if you do rattlesnake, to keep your speed in check and stay to the right on the fire road after the singletrack ends. otherwise you might go flying off a cliff like I did

[bvader]

Here is one of my favorites off of Ridge Route...4 Single Tracks

http://www.geoladders.com//show_rout...t=1&route=7184

[AKmoney]

Originally Posted by bvader

Here is one of my favorites off of Ridge Route...4 Single Tracks

http://www.geoladders.com//show_rout...t=1&route=7184

This route involves a trail of uhhh.... questionable legality and poison oak exposure certainty.

[jake]

Yeah, check out what vader suggested. Looks fun + free parking. One suggestion, bring a trail bell for that fenceline singletrack. I've almost clobbered a few riders up there.
Hey, not trying to divert this thread or anything but does anyone know why there is a camera at the top of T&A?

[bvader]

Originally Posted by AKmoney

This route involves a trail of uhhh.... questionable legality and poison oak exposure certainty.

Questionable yes...poison oak hadn't had a problem....yet....

[bvader]

Oh...one thing...it is very soft / sandy right now and will be until we get some rain.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by jake

One suggestion, bring a trail bell for that fenceline singletrack. I've almost clobbered a few riders up there.
Hey, not trying to divert this thread or anything but does anyone know why there is a camera at the top of T&A?

2nd the motion on vaders route, just added to 'my to do' list (maybe even tomorrow AM) yeah that section is prone to collisions, always look waaaay ahead and watch out for trail runners too.

I think the camara is for watching wildlife, 'coyotes gone wild'?

Here is the official 'ranger' El Moro route - up No Name, Bommer, and down El Moro ridge to BFI and back. Almost 100% fireroad, have fun?

[AKmoney]

Originally Posted by bvader

Questionable yes...poison oak hadn't had a problem....yet....

I've gotten it more than one on that trail.. One time was bad. Not as bad as that recent post in the "Rider Down" forum but it was in the same ballpark.

BTW, my favorite routes are pretty similar to vader's.

Start at Ridge Park... Red Tail Ridge/Rattlesnake, Mach 1, I Think I Can, BVD, up Emerald Canyon, then back on Fenceline.

Or start at Ridge Park, Fenceline to Bommer, down Old Emerald (aka Erection), up Emerald Canyon, turn left to Moro Ridge, then down BVD and up Old Emerald once again, then left and backtrack Fenceline back to the car.

[hbpedals]

Here is the best 100% legal loop from the bottom (in my opinion). I do this ride 3x per week. Sometimes I will take Old Emerald Singletrack down and climb back up on BVD - but BVD is so much fun to ride down that I usually do it this way instead:
From the main parking lot of Hwy 1:

Take El Moro Cyn fire road to I Think I Can (West Side Cut Across). After the big climb turn left on El Morro Ridge Fireroad and keep climbing past the 2 campgrounds. When you are almost at the top and can see the sign for Missing Link, take the unsigned (but legal) singletrack to the right (BVD) down into Emerald Canyon.

When you get to the bottom of Emerald Canyon, turn left on the Emerald Canyon Fireroad and climb up to Bommer Ridge. Turn left on Bommer and ride back to CCSP. Enter at Gate 12 - El Moro Ridge Fire Road and turn right onto the Missing Link singletrack. That trail becomes Fenceline singletrack and takes you to No Name Ridge. Turn left on No Name Ridge and go down the hill. Veer left and take the Red Tail Ridge/Rattlesnake singletrack. When you get to the bottom of that, take a left and climb up Mach One to the No Name Ridge and take a left and cruise back down to your car.

I also ride this loop from the Ridge Route entrace but I really prefer starting from the bottom and taking I think I Can first . .it gets me all warmed up for everything else. When I start from the top I always feel out of sorts for 3/4 of the ride.

Whichever ride you do - have fun!