Angeles Ride Friday 12/22 Anyone?

[MTBMaven]

I start my first day of vacation on Friday 12/22. Anyone up for a ride in the Angeles? Should be cold and quiet out there?

Any of the usual suspects:
Chilao
Strawberry/Strawberry in reverse
Chantry
Merrill to Sunset

Or something a bit different...

[bananaseat]

fellow bureaucrat... i'm interested. never been. i'll confirm tomorrow.

[Burner]

I would be down, if you could wait until after rush hour to start.

[MTBMaven]

Sounds good bananaseat. Looks like we will be riding from Millard Campground above Altadena, up Chaney Trail to Inspiration Point, down Middle Merrill, to Sunset Ridge.

Directions:
From the 210,
Exit Fair Oaks Ave. go north (towards mountains)
Left Alta Loma Rd.
Right Chaney Trail (Flashing red light)
Park at closed gate before road begins to descend into Millard Campground.

I don't want to discourage you in anyway from joining the ride, but be forewarned the trail we are riding is difficult with a fair amount of exposure in some places. You can easily walk the short sections but just want you to know what you are getting into. The climb to the top is steep but very manageable. If you are a strong intermediate to advanced rider you should not have any problems at all. There are no drop offs or anything like that, just technical singletrack.

Looks like we will be getting a somewhat late start. We might not be able to get started until 12:00. Last time I rode the route I was done in 3 hours, but I was alone and short on time. I would expect to be on the trail for around 4 hours.

Originally Posted by Burner

I would be down, if you could wait until after rush hour to start.

You replied while I was responding to bananaseat. That shouldn't be a problem. I would love to have you along on the ride. If you haven't ridden this trail you will like it. Another very historic area. You get to ride over 80 year old rail road ties!

[bananaseat]

i'm in. looking forward to it, sounds like a great ride. just one limitation, and don't mean to sound like a pain in the ass, i don't have lights, and not interested in riding @night.

[Burner]

Perfect, I'm in.

Brian, is chaney trail the same as the mt lowe railway? if so, I've ridden this loop, I know i've ridden the merrils/sunset.

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by Burner

Brian, is chaney trail the same as the mt lowe railway? if so, I've ridden this loop, I know i've ridden the merrils/sunset.

Basically, Chaney Trail is the paved part and Mt. Lowe Railway is the dirt section. Glad you're coming.

Originally Posted by bananaseat

i'm in. looking forward to it, sounds like a great ride. just one limitation, and don't mean to sound like a pain in the ass, i don't have lights, and not interested in riding @night.

Cool glad you're in. You will enjoy the trail. Prime front side Angeles riding. I don't have lights either. You will not need them. If we start at 12:00 and the ride is 4 hours, sunset is at 4:45 and it gets totally dark about 5:00-5:15. That should be plenty of time. Just thing we will be doing the Sunset Ridge at sunset...how romantic. Actually not sure why they named it Sunset Ridge as you can't really see the sun setting that much on the trail. Now Middle Merrill is pretty hard to ride at sunset due to the sun in your eyes. Nothing like going around turns blind. Good times!

[Pain Freak]

Brian, it's really called Sunset Trail, Sunset Ridge is further east above Claremont.

Do you think I could handle this ride? Sounds scary.

I don't know how long they are going to keep us Friday, but if there's a chance for me to make it over there in time by noon, I'll be there.

[MTBMaven]

You might be able to make it down Mike. Hope you can make it.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Guys, watch out for booby traps along the Merrils. One of the early bird regular shuttlers came down the Mtn on Sat with his arm wrapped up in his jersey, possibly broken. He told us someone put put some wood across the trail and it took out 8 guys like a domino. If you see them sabatoging the trail, politely help them down the side of the cliff.

[gurp13]

I'd be interested in this ride, and I might actually be free to ride finally, by Friday, but I don't think I'd call myself a strong intermediate to advanced rider. Is this tougher than the Zion to Winter Creek stuff?

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by gurp13

I'd be interested in this ride, and I might actually be free to ride finally, by Friday, but I don't think I'd call myself a strong intermediate to advanced rider. Is this tougher than the Zion to Winter Creek stuff?

Not tougher..Singletrack is simular. More fireroad. The first section is a rather ugly pavement climbing for like 2-3 miles...steep. That is if you can find parking near the gate. If you have to park on Alta Loma it is double that climb. If that was the case a would rather climb Lower Merrill at Lake St. Once you get to the dirt (old railroad bed) the grade never gets above 6%.

Go you will like it.

[Pain Freak]

Sir Gurp, this is a good one, and a lot of guys love this trail. I've always felt a little uncomfortable with it and I don't know why. We ride a lot of stuff with more exposure and technical difficulty, but this one used to really get to me. Last couple times I rode it though it didn't seem so bad. The dh guys have widened some of the turns and switchbacks to where they are now almost easy, but like I said "almost". There are only one or two places you might have to walk through and they are very short.
I don't mind climbing that steep asphalt road. There's plenty of scenery to view as you climb along. Very good workout. Last time climbing the road we watched a deer watch us as we rode up behind her. She just stood there looking at us for a minute or two then walked over the side into the brush and was gone. Here's a picture:

[gurp13]

Well, since I've been home all week with the kids and their runny noses, my wife has been talking about me riding all next week. Then, this morning she said I should ride tomorrow (Fri) so I might just get to go to this. I've been enjoying the Angeles rides I've been on. Anyone want to carpool?

[MTBMaven]

Looks like we're going to have a party out there. Last minute ride turning out to be a well attended event. Looking forward to it!

[ApexMan]

I should Christmas shop but I might be there. I hope that pic is not recent because I've pedaled to the top once with snow being the last mile (upper Merril), crusty snow, ack!

[bananaseat]

can anyone provide general directions from 605/10 or 605/210. i can also mapquest this on my own if someone can provide an address and zip code.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by bananaseat

can anyone provide general directions from 605/10 or 605/210. i can also mapquest this on my own if someone can provide an address and zip code.

Aldo, here is my Google Earth file. I know it is getting busy with waypoints but the one you want for parking on this ride is Mt. Lowe Parking. You will need Google Earth installed on your computer to view file. Enjoy it is a good ride. I like reading the the trail side signs that explain the history in the area. You guys have fun.

I am leave for Azizona tomorrow or I would be on this ride for sure. Two days in Wrightwood before I head out to Sedona. Hoping that Blue Ridge Trail is ridable on Saturday...I am thinking that it may be snowbound.

[bananaseat]

Thanks Steppie! Have fun in AZ.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by bananaseat

Thanks Steppie! Have fun in AZ.

Parking can be tight up there but sometimes you can get creative and find a spot.