Golden Eagle Trail needs some Trimmin'

Discussion in 'Trail Conditions' started by Mikie Watson, Aug 24, 2011.

  1. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    Hey!
    Does anyone know of a group that goes out and does trail maintenance on Golden Eagle Trail? It needs some serious brush clearing. I'm going to do it anyway, I was hoping for some help. I take a commercial Weed Whip with a saw blade attachment and it is Samuri City! Was hoping to set something up. Otherwise, I'll just have at it...
    Thanks!
    Mikie
     
  2. Magna_Graecia

    Magna_Graecia Tapia Bunny Slayer

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    Various groups go out and do it at random times (the group I ride with did a while ago) but GE is so far out in the wilderness that very few people can do regular maintenence on it.

    I'd be down once the temps drop; it's too hot to be toiling in the sun.
     
  3. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    I live literally 21 minutes from GE over in Lebec. Thanks for the offer! I'll let you know. I really appreciate it. It's such an awesome single track. I think I like it even more than (dare I sayI McGill Trail - Mikie
     
  4. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    Just go it thanks in advance...

    Dean
     
  5. FFW

    FFW Member

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    THE Mikie Watson from the old proflex team days? I learned how to ride trying to keep up with Bear and Mike Grace at Ave-P

    I've gone up with a few other folks several times this year and done some minor pruning. The brush grows back incredibly quickly though. I'm up for it every other Friday/Sat/Sun starting next week.
     
  6. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    Yup! It's me Desert Rat. I think I sent you an email. Hopefully you got it. I'm not the best at Forum type stuff. I knocked out a bunch of the TLC on G.E. with Cathy. And, I mean a bunch! I just don't want the Gravity Geeks and the Throttle Jockey's to find out and go tear the trail up again. Let's get together and go for a ride sometime soon. I'm in the High Desert on Friday's, Saturday's, and Sunday's. Just saw Mike G. yesterday. Been emailing Todd Attebery and setting up to go do Slickrock with him in Utah some time in October as well. Where is everbody else? I've been out of it for a long while.
     
  7. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    Hey,
    Is there anyone interested in riding during the week in the Frazier Park, McGill Trail, Golden Eagle Trail area? I have Monday's through Thursdays Free and know the area.

    Mikie
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 14, 2011
  8. riderd

    riderd New Member

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    Rode GE yesterday (9/26/11) for the first time. Was armed with map and ride narrative from MTB Bill's site. I did an out and back staying on the singletrack the entire way. As anticipated from reading a lot of the reviews on this site and others, the first mile or so was mainly loose sand. Climbable but tough non the less. Had to dismount and push through two sections, and take a few short breaks to catch my breath. Riding mid day under the sun didn't help. After the rocky switchback the trail firmed up, but the brush crept in more. After crossing the forest/fire road, the trail flattens out more, but the brush got even worse. Fortunately these brushed in sections were relatively short in length, but there must have been 5 or so of them in a row over a 1/2 mile distance. Once in the oak tree wooded section, the trail was loose with leaves and soil kicked up from the moto's. (On the way down I washed out the front wheel and took a digger - purely rider error. I'm PO'd this happened as this was the 'easiest' section of the whole trail.)

    I crossed the road one more time, kept riding the singletrack, and then stopped at next road crossing where the L shaped trail sign is. Think this point is 'H' on MTB Bill's map. I thik the last section I rode was the PCT, but not sure as no signage stated what it was/wasn't. Headed back down retracing my route up.

    The downhill was okay. Not being able to see the trail too far ahead because of the brush was a buzzkill. The lack of site lines wasn't the only downer, constantly getting scratched up or almost knocked off my bike from the brush blowed as well. Then getting to the bottom part with all the loose sand wasn't the greatest either. Really had to baby it through that section to prevent from washing out, or sliding off the downslope edge of the trail.

    I know guys are trying to make headway on the brush, but that seems like a nitemare task. There is just so much of it, and it's the kind that grows in so fast. I could overlook the loose sandy sections if the trail corridor was more navigatable.

    It was nice to ride it just to see it firsthand. The views are pretty good to the south. Can't really recommend it to anyone as it's not that great of a ride with so many other options in the area. If more of the trail was brushed back, and the tread was tighter it woudl be a solid ride. If I knew what I know now, I would have ridden the road up past the first section, then jumped on the singletrack from there on up. I'm a earn your downhill type of rider, so that's why I rode the singletrack all the way up.
     
  9. hill^billy

    hill^billy KICK YOUR OWN A$$!.......

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    I know how you feel about the GE trail. Awesome trail, people who ride it know that, and love it. You live close and hate to not have such a great trail right there, but it is overgrown,getting worse by the second and overwhelming.
    I am in the same boat here in Acton with a potential epic, existing trail of about 15 miles, which I believe is a decommissioned leg of the PCT, but not sure. Anyway I have been working on it for about two months mostly by myself, I have a few people helping, I have about half done. I refuse to let such a great tail die.
    I am one of the peeps who have spent some hours on GE but now my energy is on this Aliso trail. Hey I will help you if you help me. Aliso is not as dense. Both trails will take a big group of dedicated people to revitalize. I just wish the stuff didn't fricken grow back. By the way Dave W is helping me with that one too. It is hard to get people to give back, but they are sure happy to ride it when you are finished. Although I understand I live real close and it is more convenient for me.
     
  10. jeffj

    jeffj Bloated Mountain B'hiker

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    Those that ride GE know about the brush issues. But, if I am being honest, I would not be in favor of cutting the brush back too far because it would make it that much more attractive to the motos if were wide enough for them to hit it at speed. My preference would be to keep it trimmed back enough for bikes to be able to pass OK, but not six feet wide. It will grow back faster, but it it keeps the trail surface in better shape by having the motos find other more passable trails, it's worth it. JMHO.
     
  11. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    Hey Un-clipped,
    I'm in! But guys, don't get depressed about Golden Eagle. The reason it's so soft is cuz nobody is riding it due to the brush. It needs to be rode on a regular basis to keep it firm. If I can get a couple of guys, we could knock most all of the issues out in one full day. I have . . . . . "THE BEAST"!

    I used to live in Palmdale and rode the trails your talking about. I rode it a bunch with Mike Grace, owner of Bicycle Johns in Santa Clarita, and my old wrecking crew the Proflex Kooka Bell Western Regional Race Team. I don't know if it is leagal (and I really don't care), but I use a commercial Weed Whip with a Skil Saw Blade attachment on it. I call it "THE BEAST". Two, maybe three serious guys could get "MILES" done in a day. My race team used to take care of Five Deer Trail in Bouquet Canyon and I would bring The Beast and knock it out of the Park! The problem is like you said Un-Clipped, The Moto Turds find a path of least resistance and tear it up! They destroyed Five Deer Trail.

    The only challenge is, I work Friday thru Sunday, but I do work in Palmdale. We could get together after work on Saturday but daylight is beginning to wane. We need a full day. I'll help you with Aliso. I sincerely believe that you got to give back as a Mountain Biker. The Moto Turds and Gravity Geeks are some of the laziest people in existance. Although there are some exceptions (no offense to the ones that get out there and do trail maintenance, but let's face it, there are a lot of slackers in those two groups).

    We can easily get Aliso and Golden Eagle back into shape in only a couple of days. With THE BEAST, shrub schrapnel will fly! It's just a matter of someone keeping up with getting the branches off the trail.

    What do you say . . . .

    ~Mikie
     
  12. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    Hey Riderd,
    Golden Eagle really is a great trail. Like JeffJ stated above it would get destroyed if we open it up too far. However, the narrow trail does make for some great singletrack if you like that type of ride. I love it! It's like a rabbit getting chased by a Fox through the brush kinda thing. I have ridden the trail several times this year and I know it is going to sound sick to some, but I get back to the trail head with both my arms bloody from repeat scratches from brush. And, I still go back for more. It is soft, but only cuz it aint getting ridden'. I've put in about 12 hours of maintenance by myself into it. If I could get some help we could knock it out in a day. People would ride, and the trail would become stiffer. Let me know next time you go and I will go with . . .

    ~Mikie
     
  13. hill^billy

    hill^billy KICK YOUR OWN A$$!.......

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    Hey Mikie,
    There is a Facebook group that I belong to that about a month or so ago tried to organize some yard work on GE but it flamed out and did not happen, I know I was busy that day. So I know there are people interested. The timing has to be right, with weather and schedules it is so hard to get it to gel. And yes Jeffj does have a valid point about opening GE to wide.
    I am not sure how much time is left before snow and real cold temps, becomes a factor.
    Anyway I am not afraid of a little work. I am not trying to take away from this thread but I am sure glad to hear you used to ride and help maintain this Acton trail. I know Mike G also and I am going to see if he is willing to put in a day, and will tell him you said hi. I am pretty sure there will be two of us working the trail tomorrow. A friend and I rode it today and until I cut it I did not know it has a nice flow to it. BTW I am armed with a cordless black and decker hedge trimmer, and 4 batteries I ride with that bitch on my back. I'm not doing this for the masses. I do it for my enjoyment of quality ST.
     
  14. hill^billy

    hill^billy KICK YOUR OWN A$$!.......

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    Also, have you ever been lucky enough to ride the whole trail all the way up to Mt. Gleason?
     
  15. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    I have done the whole enchilada to the top of Gleason. We just called it the Mt. Gleason Loop. As well as Pacifico and all the Fantastic Rides you have over there. I miss those rides. I haven't done them in years! I would love to do it with you, I bet I could not remember how!?!?!?

    I went and did McGill Trail today. Man is that trail beat to pieces by the Gravity Geeks. It's all rutted and chatter bumped out. Makes for a real technical climb in some places.

    I would be happy to bring THE BEAST and do some TM on Aliso. I have to go to work tomorrow (commited to some OT :-( ) How about next week (Monday thru Wednesday)? Let me know . . .

    ~Mikie
     
  16. hill^billy

    hill^billy KICK YOUR OWN A$$!.......

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    I just rode up MaGill a couple of weeks ago, you are soooo lucky to live by it, definitely one of my favorite rides, you get to soak it up when the conditions a prime. I will surely take you up on your offer for you and the beast next week. Mike Said hey, he gave out a kind of sick or evil chuckle when I mentioned your name, and he is stoked to do some work and is looking into getting us set up with some Polanski or McCould tools for the upper half. And don't worry I will be up there to give back and try to bring some help. Let's keep in touch.
     
  17. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    Sick or Evil Chuckle . . . . . . . . . . Hmmmmmmmmmm.
     
  18. riderd

    riderd New Member

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    I'll give you guys mad props for manning up and doing trailwork on GE. I'm still on the fence if it's worth it. I agree the corridor shouldn't be brushed back too far. It's just so tight right now. My rig has 25" wide bars (pretty narrow by today's standards), and I was having to choke in on them to help minimize the beating on the forearms. If I had knee/shin guards I would have worn those, as my legs took a beating too.

    What's the solution for the loose sandy downhill section? That section needed some brushing, but it wasn't too bad. I realize this is probably the worst time of the year as it's so dry, and with rain things will tighten up some, but how much better can it really get? Won't more traffic just loosen it back up?

    I did hear at least one moto in the area when I was riding on Monday. I thought it was on the trail downslope of me, so I got off the trail, but it turned out it was just on the road. Curious if the rider was on the road because he knew the trail was soo tight, or was just a road rider.
     
  19. Casper

    Casper New Member

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    I'm off for two weeks starting Sunday and I would love to lend a hand. Never done GE, but what better way to get to know the trail than by cleaning it up! I live in Santa Clarita so the drive won't be an issue. Keep me looped in on any efforts. I have tools or can buy some if we need them. All good!
     
  20. Mikie Watson

    Mikie Watson Member

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    Riderd,
    I used to be part of a large group of racers and we used to do GE on a regular basis. It was smooth, it was fast and we kept it maintained. That was 15 years ago. I think what happen was as the group got older or dispanded, new people were not introduced to Golden Eagle (it is out of the way). But I would like to breath new life into the trail with a new group of entusiast. We get it back in shape and you will love it lines and it's speed. We'll ride it together once it is back and you will love it!

    ~Mikie
     

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