Palo Commado/ Cheeseboro/Sheep Corral (merged threads)

My wife and I just couldn't believe our eyes !
The whole Sheep Corral, almost to the Middle section (#14 on the map below) has been brutally graded this week (probably in the last 2-3 days).

Natural boulders were removed, ruts were filled and IMO we lost forever its uniqueness.
When I asked the workers what's the reason for destroying this gem, I was told that its due to the "Great Agoura Race" that supposed to happen next weekend.
They are making it more accessible to the runners.

WTF !!!
If the runners cannot run in a natural untouched area, have them run on Asphalt or fire roads.

When we rode it today after the fact,The dirt was really un-compacted and we had to walk our bikes in a few sections.
I even crashed at one of the switchbacks due to the loose dirt
I was told that they will recompact it and between the rain this weekend and the thousand (???) runners, the trail will be much more accessible.
I believe that the trail will look/feel now more like a fire road/dirt road than the beautiful single track that it was.

What a shame !!!
I wonder who gave the orders and on what authority.

 

Thats not good. Any pics as I can't picture where you mean as there is 2 x '14's on the map you posted and thats a long stretch.

 

wtf!!! destroy natural terrain for an FN foot race?

 

Pictures please. NPS needs a call.

Course is HERE.

Hmmm, looks like there could be a clustering effect through the narrows of Sulfur Springs.

 

Sorry I didn't have a camera with me
Here is the exact area that was impacted till today Noon time

Here's the ride log

http://connect.garmin.com/player/73603829

 

The trail used to go straight at the switch back and over the saddle as a cattle trail. The NPS brought in the short blade dozer and made the switch back and new trail to the top of Dead Cow saddle. You could not tell that was a dozer trail could you. It will look the same in no time, don't worry. From the switchback to sheep corral is on the old cattle trail just neutered by the blade. Guadalajasca was made the same way, never know it now.

 

I'm an avid trail runner (when I'm not riding) and I do this race, the Chesebro Half-Marathon (aka The Great Race), every year. I do a lot of other trail running races during the year too and I have never seen or heard of anyone grading or otherwise "improving" the trails for a running race. It's just not necessary... especially at Chesebro. Trail races almost always include some difficult, challenging terrain. Chesebro has by FAR the easiest terrain and smoothest trail of the trail races I do. That particular section needs no improvement to facilitate running and besides;that section is after mile 7, everyone will be spread out by then.
I suspect that this project was in the pipeline already and they just decided to get it done in time for the race. Aside from that, the work probably has nothing to do with the running race.

By the way, the race is next Sat morning (March 26), starts at 7am and runs up the canyon then over to and down Palo Comado. You wouldn't want to get caught-up in all those runners.

 

Shepard's Flat west to the Overlook. Day-um! That section has gotten really good. It's a shame it was 'graded' for a foot race. Seriously?!?!?! I was gonna ride a few folks up there this weekend or next to show them some new dirt.

At least Gaspipe is okay (the other side of Sheep Corral)...

- shud

 

I was just thinking about Guadalasca. It didn't need it, but they graded it anyway. Screwed it up for a few months, but it returned to it's natural state fairly quickly.

 

The problem is that they removed a lot of boulders and rocks that made this trail a bit more challenging and fun.

 

Yup, I was there today as well. I saw you and your wife today. We were the 2 going toward Dead Cow.

From the creek switchback going toward the top of Dead Cow and down toward Palo Comado was bladed. Dirt is loose and ruts filled. I I had my camera with me, but didn't take any pics.

 

I rode Cheseboro Canyon yesterday and found that trail crews have been busy completely f'ing up the trail. The work starts at the palo comado FR to Shepherd Flats ST and runs all the way to the steep switchback nearing the intersection of shepherd flats and cheseboro. Whoever authorized this massive Clusterfvck should be identified and reprimanded, this didn't do anything except make the trail nearly un-rideable.











Moral of the story is to always ride with a trail shovel in case you need to build a berm during a ride.

 

Thanks Genusmtbkr5 for warning us about the bulldozer.
I almost ran into it as it was hiding in one of the switchbacks.
There is a new thread with pictures from the crime scene.
http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/ride-reports/57005-cheseboro-trail-damage.html

 

If we get a lot of rain this weekend, the trail will be back to its original shape..

 

All they care about is fixing the erosion, not how rideable it is. In a few months it will be back in shape.

 

Unreal!

 

Guess what, now that you left MTB tracks on it we get the blame from everyone else

 

Unridable? Don't you have a modern mountain bike?

 

Guess what, now that you left MTB tracks on it we get the blame from everyone else

Unridable? Don't you have a modern mountain bike?


WTF do these even mean?

 

My comment is not directed towards you, I am just saying the next hiker or equestrian that will see those MTB tracks will most likely blame us mountainbikers for messing up their trail - you know....