Mt Wilson Triple Threat - Part 1 of 2

[2wheel_lee]

Although it has been a few years since I've ridden Mt. Wilson, one of my favorite rides was what several friends and I used to call the Triple Threat.

The Triple Threat is three shuttle rides in one day.
1. Silver Moccasin to Hilyer
2. Red Box to JPL
3. Sturtevant to Chantry Flats

This is an all-day ride, and it covers about 33 miles of downhill. To do this, we need 4 to 6 people.
We also need 4 vehicles, three of which has to each fit the total number of riders and bikes. The fourth can be any vehicle (it's simply to retrieve a shuttle vehicle). If we have more than 6 people the number of vehicles will multiply.

But...as I said, this proposal has two parts. Although I've done the Triple Threat many times during the day, I've always wanted to do it at night. Best of all, the trails will be free of all animals...or at least of the human variety.

My goal is that we do the first Triple Threat during the day to learn the trail conditions, and the second part is a Triple Threat at night within a couple weeks of part 1. Ideally, those who do part 1 are the same as those who do part 2 - for obvious reasons.

What you need:
Lights - bright ones with long-lasting batteries (preferably HID). More than one HID would be nice (especially as a backup) Since there is a fair amount of driving between shuttles, we'd have some time to somewhat recharge the batteries. 12 volt chargers are preferred, but my truck can accommodate A/C chargers.

Bike - most any bike will do. I've done the Triple Threat on my dirt jumping bike as well as a downhill bike, and even an XC bike. However, having a "bigger" bike with more suspension, and larger brakes and tires allows for more mistakes at night.

Skill - I wouldn't expect any beginners to be very interested in this, so I'm not very concerned. If you ride technical stuff and like occasional challenges, then you know if you're capable. I know a majority of you are. In all reality, nothing on this ride is very difficult. Riding it at night adds to the challenge.

So I'd like to open this for comments, questions, or suggestions, as well as to find out who could commit to riding both parts. Next, we'll need to establish a date.

Beer and tequila shots have been a normal tradition of the Triple Threat, but they are strictly optional (especially considering the night portion).

[ShinKen]

wHOOAhh!! when u post rides u really do eHH!! sounds tempting!!! Robert?

[dhshuttlemonkey]

What part of Silver Moccassin will you start on? You can start at 3 points but then you have to climb up to get to Hilyer then back down to Chilao campground. The only problem with the proposed route is the bottom half of Gabrielino after Switzers. There's too many creek crossings with boulder hike a bike sections and it just doesn't flow very well especially if riding a dh bike. Let's see what others think about it after a date is set.

I'd be down to try the triple threat. How does the week after the Fontana race work?

[Pain Freak]

Got to agree with Franky here. I've done all these trails in the daylight a good number of times, but never in the dark. Sturtevant in the dark,whoa, that's a hairy proposition as I have a hard time with this one in the light. Trail is very exposed in a lot of places, still it would be easier if it was ridden slower. The last part of the Gab (Red Box) part below Switzers is almost 30% of hiking in the daylight so it might take a lot longer in the dark.

Still this has now really got my interest. Yeah, I'm game. But I'll have to borrow another light.

[2wheel_lee]

I don't remember the name or how to describe where we start at the top of Silver Moccasin. I do remember that there is a short hike-a-bike section. I always encourage the XC guys to go for it (and let them suddenly discover that we're at 5,900 feet of elevation).

Yes, there are some hike-a-bike sections over the rocks across the rivers down toward JPL, and so it is not very flowy. I still enjoy the adventure and challenges. I think plunking over the rocks at night could be very interesting. The night portion is not just a ride, it's a freakin' adventure! Okay...that doesn't read as well as I was saying it in my mind.

The second weekend of June is a possibility.

[Pain Freak]

I'll be doing my last double on June 16th. Well, really I'm going for the triple. yep, 300 miles in a day. But after that I'll join you if you haven't already have done it.

[Sewellymon]

i can lay claim to a night ride of silver moc; chantry, up trail to newcomb's saddle, and back to sturtevant to chantry. but it was 15 years ago, so i don't recall much. but i survived, eh?

my own goal in this lifetime is to start at devils punchbowl, ride to burkhart saddle, buckhorn, ACH (or perfect cycling trail), then silver moc to chantry. 16 hour cross mt range ride. but not this year..

[ka0t1c07]

Night ride from RedBox to JPL will be a bitch at the streams.