DEATH MARCH July 1

[SScheetz]

Do any of you remember this “Death March Invite” post from mtbr? I’m going to do this ride on Saturday July 1st. (not the White Mountain ride) I’ve lived here at the foot of Baldy all my life and I’m embarrassed to say that I have never bagged it. This sounds like a nice challenging way to do it. I have a couple of sick endurance freak friends who will probably join me. So the invite is out.

For those of you considering this, here is a brief description:

The “trail” is uninteresting but the view is great. The ride is all fire roads and paved roads, except near the top.
Elevation gain: 10,500 (12,500 with optional Sunset return climb)
Miles: 45
Hours: 9-10

Here is the plan:

Start at 6:00 AM from Oak Mesa Park. Go through the gated community at the top of Wheeler. Ride to the top of Sunset. This will take about 2 hours.

From the top of Sunset we’ll descend down to Glendora Ridge Road. Here we hit the pavement and descend down to Baldy Village. We can get water here and then continue up the road to Manker Flats campground. We should reach the campground by 9:30. Water is available here also.

From the campground we’ll climb up the fire road to the Baldy ski area Notch. This is at the top of the parking lot chair. Here water and food is available. The food service should be open but I wouldn't depend on it. We should be at the Notch by 10:30. This much of the ride I have done many times.

From here we begin new territory for me. From what I hear it becomes a little more adventurous. The Notch is just a little under 8,000’ and Baldy is over 10,000’. The Devil’s Backbone trail is narrow with drops on both sides. With the hike-a-bike involved, I’m guessing it will take 1.5 hours to reach the top. So we should be there by 12:00.

We’ll descend back to the notch at 1:00 1:30ish. The fire road and road descent back to the village is very fast. We should be in the Village by 2:00.

From here we could either descend all the way down for a quick trip back to the start, or climb back up Sunset.

The original “Death March” ride climbed back up Sunset. I would still consider this option if everyone else was up for it. If I’m going solo, I’ll just have to see how I feel.

Are any of you crazies out there up for this?

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

Sounds like a blast if you finish the ride going thru Evey Canyon/ Potato Mountain/ CWP/ Marshall Canyon.

I would defintely want to do this ride, but i got plans for the 1st already.

Have fun and make sure you post some pix!!

[gurp13]

I'd like to do a ride like this one day, but I think it's beyond my abilities today. I could prolly do half of it. Like the Sunset Ridge to Baldy Notch part. After that, err...

One day, though.

[Pain Freak]

Mark, that's a killer ride. I've done the ride to the notch also, but it stops there for me too. A little more notice and I'd have jumped in.

[singleSSpeedster]

i would have loved to join you. i hinted at a long ride for sat to my wife and almost got a smack down...

i opted for a 50 mile solo road gig and got home by 10:30 so not probs with the wifey.

how'd it go???

[kdinger]

I suppose Mark will chime in eventually and post some pictures - he had plenty of time to take a bunch while waiting up for me. I tried to tell myself that it was the 8 extra pounds of water and 4 extra pounds of bike, but mostly I think he was just stronger.

We had a great ride; I'd definitely do it again. Stunning views. From the Notch up to the peak we could ride most of the first mile or so, then it was almost all walking except for a nice 1/2 mile or so section contouring around Mt. Harwood and the last one or two hundred meters to the peak. Overall, I'd say we rode about 40% and walked about 60% of the ~3 miles. Gears would buy you a little more riding but probably not much.

Lots of hikers; none of them seemed to have a problem with the presence of mountain bikes. They all thought we were nuts, even with the assumption that we had taken the ski lift to the Notch. When we told them we had started in La Verne, they just didn't know what to make of it.

On the way up, I was thinking that we might end up having to walk the bikes most of the way down too, but it ended up being mostly rideable. I'd say we rode upwards of 80% of the distance back to the Notch. You can ride off the top for a good ways (though I went over the handlebars once here) then there is a very steep 1/4 or 1/3 of a mile that we walked, then it is almost all rideable except we chose to walk one section of a hundred meters or so where the trail was particularly narrow and slidey and the consequences of a fall were particularly nasty (i.e. death was not out of the question).

We kept a pretty good pace up while we were on the bikes (at least it was a good pace for me) but took rather lengthy breaks to soak in the views and refill water bottles (e.g. 12 minutes at the Village, 30 at the Notch, 20 on top, 20 at the Notch again) and it took us 8.5 hours total elapsed time (note that from the Village we came down the pavement).

Things to do differently next time include returning via Sunset Ridge instead of the pavement and looking into coming down the Bear Cyn. trail to the Village instead of via the Notch.

-Keith Richards-Dinger

[dstepper]

How were the temps from Maniker Flats on up. Much wind at the top?

[kdinger]

Originally Posted by dstepper

How were the temps from Maniker Flats on up. Much wind at the top?

It was warm but not hot at Manker, maybe 80 deg. F. It was very pleasant at the Notch and the top. Gusts would blow through every now and again, but mostly it was pretty calm.

[SScheetz]

Originally Posted by kdinger

I suppose Mark will chime in eventually and post some pictures - he had plenty of time to take a bunch while waiting up for me. I tried to tell myself that it was the 8 extra pounds of water and 4 extra pounds of bike, but mostly I think he was just stronger.

We had a great ride; I'd definitely do it again. Stunning views. From the Notch up to the peak we could ride most of the first mile or so, then it was almost all walking except for a nice 1/2 mile or so section contouring around Mt. Harwood and the last one or two hundred meters to the peak. Overall, I'd say we rode about 40% and walked about 60% of the ~3 miles. Gears would buy you a little more riding but probably not much.

Lots of hikers; none of them seemed to have a problem with the presence of mountain bikes. They all thought we were nuts, even with the assumption that we had taken the ski lift to the Notch. When we told them we had started in La Verne, they just didn't know what to make of it.

On the way up, I was thinking that we might end up having to walk the bikes most of the way down too, but it ended up being mostly rideable. I'd say we rode upwards of 80% of the distance back to the Notch. You can ride off the top for a good ways (though I went over the handlebars once here) then there is a very steep 1/4 or 1/3 of a mile that we walked, then it is almost all rideable except we chose to walk one section of a hundred meters or so where the trail was particularly narrow and slidey and the consequences of a fall were particularly nasty (i.e. death was not out of the question).

We kept a pretty good pace up while we were on the bikes (at least it was a good pace for me) but took rather lengthy breaks to soak in the views and refill water bottles (e.g. 12 minutes at the Village, 30 at the Notch, 20 on top, 20 at the Notch again) and it took us 8.5 hours total elapsed time (note that from the Village we came down the pavement).

Things to do differently next time include returning via Sunset Ridge instead of the pavement and looking into coming down the Bear Cyn. trail to the Village instead of via the Notch.

-Keith Richards-Dinger

Nice report Keith! I'm having some problem with uploading the photos. When I get that sorted out, I'll follow with a photo post.

Originally Posted by dstepper

How were the temps from Maniker Flats on up. Much wind at the top?

From Manker Flats to the notch I would guess the temps were about 90. It felt hotter in spots where there was no breeze at all. The temp at the Notch was 85. The wind at the top was fairly mild. It was very nice up there.

The ride down felt like a blast furnace in the face. Temps at the bottom were >100.

[Pain Freak]

I've got to admit I'm jealous and relieved at the same time. One that I didn't conquer this beast and the other that I didn't conquer this beast.That's still a very fast climb.

How would you rate the trail and experience overall. I know you said you'd do it again, but how does it compare to other local rides (Santa Monica's/San Gabriel's/Santa Ana's)?

[SScheetz]

Originally Posted by kdinger

I suppose Mark will chime in eventually and post some pictures - he had plenty of time to take a bunch while waiting up for me. I tried to tell myself that it was the 8 extra pounds of water and 4 extra pounds of bike, but mostly I think he was just stronger.

We had a great ride; I'd definitely do it again. Stunning views. From the Notch up to the peak we could ride most of the first mile or so, then it was almost all walking except for a nice 1/2 mile or so section contouring around Mt. Harwood and the last one or two hundred meters to the peak. Overall, I'd say we rode about 40% and walked about 60% of the ~3 miles. Gears would buy you a little more riding but probably not much.

Lots of hikers; none of them seemed to have a problem with the presence of mountain bikes. They all thought we were nuts, even with the assumption that we had taken the ski lift to the Notch. When we told them we had started in La Verne, they just didn't know what to make of it.

On the way up, I was thinking that we might end up having to walk the bikes most of the way down too, but it ended up being mostly rideable. I'd say we rode upwards of 80% of the distance back to the Notch. You can ride off the top for a good ways (though I went over the handlebars once here) then there is a very steep 1/4 or 1/3 of a mile that we walked, then it is almost all rideable except we chose to walk one section of a hundred meters or so where the trail was particularly narrow and slidey and the consequences of a fall were particularly nasty (i.e. death was not out of the question).

We kept a pretty good pace up while we were on the bikes (at least it was a good pace for me) but took rather lengthy breaks to soak in the views and refill water bottles (e.g. 12 minutes at the Village, 30 at the Notch, 20 on top, 20 at the Notch again) and it took us 8.5 hours total elapsed time (note that from the Village we came down the pavement).

Things to do differently next time include returning via Sunset Ridge instead of the pavement and looking into coming down the Bear Cyn. trail to the Village instead of via the Notch.

-Keith Richards-Dinger

I was hoping a few more friends could have joined us, but they’re still recovering from the Cascade Cream Puff. Some of you were just unavailable on short notice. So it was just me and Keith.

I had only met Keith once before up at the Keyesville Classic 8 hour endurance race. I knew Keith was easily up to the task being an ultra marathoner and one of the finishers of this year’s Kokopelli Trail Race. He showed up well prepared with proper food, water, maps etc. Contrary to Keith’s report, I’m not a stronger rider, he’s smarter rider; keeping plenty of fuel in the tank for the long run. (And yes, I was carrying less weight, it does make a difference)

The ride was perfect. No bad crashes, bonking, injuries or mechanicals. We got started at 6:25 and made the top by 1:00. This was probably one of the hottest days of the year but the weather wasn’t too much of a factor since we gained elevation early and quickly. This route stacks up the numbers pretty high:

Miles: 50
Elevation gain: 11,000

Here is the ride in pictures (I’m behind the camera so Keith is in most of the shots):



Nice view of Marshall Canyon


View of Potato Mt


View of Sunset, Mt. Baldy, and Baldy Village down in the canyon


Starting up the switchbacks from Ice House Canyon


San Antonio Falls, for scale, notice the folks at the bottom


Fueling up at the notch for the final ascent on Baldy


Devil’s Backbone trailhead


Nice view of Cajon Pass from the trailhead


Hike-a-bike up the Backbone


Typical of the Backbone hike-a-bike


Nearing the final ascent


Yes, that's snow back there


Just a few more turns on the crank


Party at the top


Finally me, looking rather anorexic

[Pain Freak]

Man, that is freekin impressive.

Mark what ratio did you use for this killa climb?

And what did Keith use?

And where are those people bikes?

Did you notice them all looking at you?

[SScheetz]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Man, that is freekin impressive.

Thanks Mike, you're next!

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Mark what ratio did you use for this killa climb?

And what did Keith use?

I was running 34:21, 47 gear inches. I think Keith was running 32:22, 42 gear inches. Keith?

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

And where are those people bikes?

Where those people on bikes? If that's the question, no they were all hikers who began to congregate around us taking pictures and video.

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Did you notice them all looking at you?

We bacame 5 minute celebrities. It was kind of funny.

Speaking of funny, do not use a hammer flask when gaining lots of elevation. I had one in my jersey pocket and it basically ejaculated all over my jersey, butt, and leg. That, my friend, is what they were looking at.

[Pain Freak]

Speaking of funny, do not use a hammer flask when gaining lots of elevation. I had one in my jersey pocket and it basically ejaculated all over my jersey, butt, and leg. That, my friend, is what they were looking at.

Oh man, that is so wrong, LMAO!

[dstepper]

Thanks for the pictures, you guys were lucky to get a fairly clear day. I have been waiting to ride up to Baldy for a while now...thanks for the extra encouragement.

[ArrrKelly]

What great pics! That is a true death march. Very impressive.