Chantry-Wilson-Chantry 1/15, early

[Rossage]

I'm doing UWC to the Mt Wilson Toll Rd then up to the towers. Snow, or lack of, will dictate which route down: Rim trail-'Gabe or Sturdevant-'Gabe, back to Chantry. Not easy, intermediate-expert with steep climbs and exposure.
Sturdevant option is about 14 miles, 2 on fireroad, the rest singletrack. Rimtrail bumps it up to about 17.5 miles.
6:30 am #-o meeting in order to get a parking space in the Chantry lot. Bring your pass.
The trails are in great condition right now-you don't want to miss this one...
Coffee/hot chocolate at the grill on Mt Wilson.

 

[Pain Freak]

It's better to consolidate in vehicles below and shuttle up together. I'm amazed at how many hikers drive up alone. This place will be packed though with the limited places open and the forecasted nice weather.

 

[Rossage]

Good idea. I can meet riders at the Arcadia REI or Helen's parking lot. Both are fairly close and are good places to park.

 

[Piranha]

Ross, FYI.....The Cosmic Cafe at Mt Wilson closed for the season on 12/11 and will not reopen until spring

 

[Rossage]

Bummer. Thanks for the info. It will be nice and warm up there anyways. And I always bring my own sandwich!

 

[Soc Eye]

Fvckin Ross.

 

[Rossage]

Yeah. Fvcking Ross!
Finished UWC/Wilson/Sturdevant/Zion/UWC by 11:00am. I'll post some pics later-the sunrise was awesome!

 

[Rossage]

Mini RR

Did this ride today. Just me and a few others: Michael (Mike) Hunt, Harold (Harry) Balls, the twins-Eileen and Ben Dover, and Hugh G Rection. Hugh never made it out of the house. Eileen and ben dover gave up on the uphill to Mt Wilson. Mike Hunt was hurting so he pussed out at the top. All that was left was for me and Harry to go balls out down Sturdevant.
The trails were in great shape. Sturdevant is chunky and challenging. Never saw another person until I hit Zion-then I saw forty Korean hikers along the trail-many more people were on the trail back to the parking lot. Parking was a zoo when I left-people were walking up the road almost from the entrance to the dam!
Here's a few pics.

 

[Tom the Bomb]

Great ride ross, i would like to join you for that one sometime , had a studio hike sat .

 

[rojomas]

What about Richard (Dick) Hertz and Jack M. Hoff, did they go?

Ohh... Wait. Your pulling our legs. Michael Hunt is the name of a street in South El Monte

 

[Rossage]

Dick Hertz showed up at the end of the ride. Jack M Hoff stayed home with Hugh G. Rection.

Planning another good one for Wed., 1/19. PM for details.

 

[JoeTruth]

Nice! At least you had good company along. :lol:

 

[mpmffitz]

Great RR Rossage. If I'm on the summit of Wilson how do I find my way down to Chantry Flats?? Is it Sturevant or Zion I drop into??

Thanks.

I have not been up there in awhile!!

 

[Rossage]

If you take the Rim trail off the top, you will hit the Gabrielino at Newcombs. Right now its snowed in but it's techy,exposed and fun. If you take the Sturdevant trail you will meet up with the Gabrielino an Sturdevant Camp. At sturdevant you can either take the Gabe' down to Chantry or (my fav) climb up and over Zion to Upper Winter Creek. At UWC you can climb/roll back to the parking lot or you can take the trail down, crossing the stream numerous times until you meet the Gabe' and climb back out to the parking lot. Go very early on a weekend if you want a parking spot.

 

[rojomas]

Hey Ross, I believe the rim trail is technically closed. I guess that's why it's in such bad shape. IMHO the Sturdevant is a much better trail anyways. Better soil, more flowy and no crazy exposure on the trail that is washed out. Another good option is the Mt Wilson trail down to Sierra Madre. But be careful because any trail that you do out there has a ton of hikers.

 

[Rossage]

The Rim trail is open-though may be impassable due to snow. Mtbs are not recommended most of the time but as you, I, and Todd know, it is rideable. Sturdivant is definitely more rideable and the rock garden at the bottom is a blast! Watch out for hikers approaching the half-way point and the campground.

 

[rojomas]

I don't know you might be the right but I'm getting conflicting status of the Rim Trail on if it's open or not.
I was told just last weekend that because of the Station Fire, even though there is no trail closure sign at the top, there is one at the bottom so it is technically closed and that is why it is unmaintained.

 

[Rossage]

Last time I was there,(2 weeks ago) there was no signage, no sign-no foul! Same as the infamous "middle merrill" trail-officially inside the "burn closure area" but being ridden AND HIKED by trail users without problem. If You have definite trail closure info let us know....pm if you want to ride

 

[rojomas]

Nah, it's all hearsay.