Santa Ana's trail conditions(BS, Harding/MS/HJ/Trabuco/WHT, etc..,) >Updated 01-18-15

Holy Jim Update.....9-02-12

Two large trees down across the trail. One is before the falls and one is right after the falls. The downed tree after the falls also has some loose dirt build up that blocks the trail. The trail is being eroded by people going around the tree on the downhill side. Needs to be fixed asap. The downed tree before the falls looks like it has been there a while and hikers have made a way around it. Only one section needs to be cut to make it rideable.

I am not sure if someone is already setting up a work day but I thought I would throw it out there. Can someone contact the correct people and notify them that we want to do a work day on HJ??

 

The general store in Silverado Canyon is out of business.

Outside of the snacks at Harding trailhead (Tucker Wildlife store) I don't know of anyplace to get a mid-ride refuel on MD. I was riding light doing a Harding -Motorway- Maple Springs loop and was expecting to get fueled at the store. No such luck. Sucks - two bananas, two gels and water for 5 hrs. There is water at the community park down past the store on Silverado.

 

A friend & I stopped there a little while ago & the owner told us about it. He was pretty unhappy about closing it down, but he said he was forced to by a neighbor who bought the entire property & discontinued his lease. Apparently though from what he said the neighbor is going to open their own store there, but I have no idea when. The guy was pretty upset as the neighbor was his suposed friend, too. :-(

 

I reported it to the FS about a month ago, but they could not get to it so a friend and I hiked up on 9-7 and cleared both trees on LHJ. I filed a trail report to Debra Clark of the USFS as required so they know that the trail is cleared and not send crews ups to clear it.

1st tree before the falls


Jordan chopping it down some, then I finished it off with a handsaw.



Downed tree just after the falls. Viewed as you approached from the bottom.


View from top.


a closer look


The view from the top after the tree was cleared.


as viewed from the bottom. You can see Jordan sitting on the other side.

 

Anyone been down Joplin recently?

 

Recent Joplin conditions, anyone?

 

Dry, dusty, rutted...in a word typical Santa Ana late summer conditions. Still one of the best along with Bell Ridge, Pinos, Yeager...but better to wait for some rain.

 

10/15/12

Upper Joplin: Needs trimming.

Lower Joplin: Good shape, aside from the eroding slope creekside.

Upper Holy Jim: Good shape.

Lower HJ: Thanks, Gene. And thanks to whoever helped pick up the accumulation of summer trash--there was a good bit. No thanks to youever dropping your goo packages. And gouging the brakes before every turn.


Any update on Skinsuit? In spring it was a disaster zone with ruts and tons of trash.

 

HTT, a little muddy at the bottom, dry at the top.
MD to Santiago Peak - dry
UHJ - a good bit of standing water at the top and the bottom, but not muddy.
LHJ - good between MD and the falls, but there's another fallen tree near the 2nd river crossing (close to the start).

 

How big is the tree? I'm going to be gone on vacation til Nov 4th, so I won't be able to go up and clear it. Can someone post up a pic so I can send to the FS. Need to know if a chain saw is required or can it be cut by hand? Thanks.

 

I wish I could take a pic but my phone ran out of battery. I think it was about 12" in diameter.

 

As of 10/21/12:

Maple Springs - dry and mostly smooth. Not very dusty. Lots of fun.
Four Corners to Peak - dry, rocky, loose in sections. The usual it seems. Not bad.

BUT - it's getting colder out there. No biggie on the ascent, when you're working hard. But you reach your turn-around point drenched in sweat and that 55-60° temp that was so nice on the climb now means shivering and numb extremities. Time to be thinking "winter thoughts"...spare gloves, jersey, cap/bandana, and maybe a windbreaker for the descents.

 

HTT, great
MD to Santiago Peak - great
UHJ - great
LHJ - Now there are two trees across the trail. Both are roughly 12" in diameter.

 

I'm coming home from vacation home soon from the east coast this week(stuck in Florida due to "Hurricane Sandy"). I'll send a report to the FS tomorrow.

 

Blackstar to Motorway is PERFECT right now....go get it!!

 

Maple Spings to Santiago Peak was SUPER cold this morning. 30 degrees at 7:00 am. 45 degrees at the top with ice falling from the towers. But if you can brave the cold the conditions are excellent. It seemed like there was less shale from Maple to Santiago as well. Tomorrow should be warmer. Enjoy it.

 

Maple Springs to the Peak is in prime condition. Nice and tacky, no dust, and the gates are closed so no trucks or motos.

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Has anyone been to Blackstar lately? Is it rideable?

 

Rode it Weds. night. Couple of mud puddles in the lower canyon and some mud....all but 1 was unavoidable.

Once out of the canyon trail was good. Moist and tacky most if the way up. Climb back through Hidden Ranch was spungy.

Very little mud on the bike/tires. But it is getting cold out there.

Should be even better on Thursday.

 

Gene, you probably already made your report (assuming the FS works as slowly as I think it does). The trail was cleared last Sunday. Cheers...