El Moro or San Juan Trails after the Rain?

I am trying make a decision for a new trail on Saturday for me and some friends. I have never ridden El Moro or San Juan Trails. How well do they holdup after the rains? If nether of those choices work, I might ride Aliso Wood. How is Aliso Wood after a heavy rain?

My starting time will be at about 9 AM... Sat.

 

Good question Im thinking about doing the same trails

 

Not sure about El Moro, but San Juan rocks after a rain. It gets really loose when dry, but this amount of rain makes it nice and tacky without being muddy. You can rail the corners much better without sliding off into the abyss. In fact I may have to ride there this weekend!

 

+1 for san juan post rain. looks like it is going to warm up to 90 degrees this saturday...conditions should be great, but get out there early.

 

el moro usually closes for 3 days after a substantial rain. but this was the first rain of the season, and it's supposed to warm up the next few days. i'd call tomorrow and see if they have an idea when they'll reopen.

if you're starting san juan from the bottom, start early to beat the heat and the shuttlers. have fun.

 

El Moro is NOT a good place to ride after rain. I got stuck in a downpour there once at the end of Rattlesnake and pretty much had to walk back to my car at the main parking lot because the mud packed up so bad the wheels would not spin anymore.

 

+1 on San Juan for post-rain riding, although once you get to Cocktail Rock it can get confusing. And, watch for the occasional downhill shuttle rider. Another place that has been OK after rains is Santiago Truck Trail off of Modjeska Grade. You can go all the way up to Old Camp, or cut off at the Luge and not hit too much mud on either route. The Luge can be interesting, but STT doesn't have anything really tough on it and would compare well with the others.

 

Seriously? Every single San Juan thread I've read on here always mention "watch out for the shuttler's", "go early to avoid the shuttler's". Do you guys who type these messages just go up to Blue Jay and take the 74 back to the bottom? I'm pretty sure all you shuttle haters also take the trail back down, which makes you as much of a hazard to those climbing up it. Trail etiquette is all that's needed, and even the lycra wearing xc peeps need a reminder every now and again.

 

El Morro and Aliso blow after rains. San Juan is good and is probably your best bet. Have fun!

 

the luge gets slick as snot when it's wet from what i recall... i'd ride sjt, although those switchbacks aren't much fun w/they're slick & mucky either! but once you get passed those it gets better.

 

AMEN! :bang:

 

What will be a good starting point at San Juan Trails?

 

Unless you go with somebody who knows the trails, I would recommend climbing from the bottom up to coctail rock. It's 5-6 miles up, then down. Great vews, not super difficult or technical, and you're rewarded with an awesome decent back to the car!

Check out this route:
http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=105

 

watch out for sensitive people on the trail

first of all...no hate towards the shuttlers (i've done it a few times). it's just a simple fact: if you start from the bottom mid-morning you'll run into people shuttling because it's faster for them to go down than it is for you to climb up. i guess you could also run into a few people who started from the bottom early, rode fast, only went to cocktail rock, and then turned around. but that's the minority. either way, it's a lot more pleasant to start early so you don't have to worry about...whoever is coming at you around the corner. anyway...

berringer- do a search and you should be able to get good directions. if you're climbing from the bottom the trailhead is off of a parking lot 1 mile down hot springs rd., which is north off the 74 about 12 east of san juan cap (right next to a fire station). an adventure pass is "required". have fun.

 

Sound Easy to find. Is Hot springs Canyon rd identified with a sign and or paved?

 

1. yes

2. more or less. it's narrow, but easy to drive--any car can make it. even mine.

it's gonna be hot out there on sat. (another reason to start early).

:beers:

 

Check geoladders. San Juan shuttle or climb is still a good ride it ends too soon. If no takers for Simpson on Sunday I may ride San Juan but shuttled due to time constraints.

 

If Ramona doesn't work, I might join you for this.

 

We are Starting at 8:00 AM - At the Parking lot, welcome to join. We need a guide that knows the area.

 

The entrance to the top of Meadows and West Ridge (from the top of Laguna) both had signs posten the AM that the trails were closed. Bummer.