Ride Report Redbox to JPL (shuttle) Run

The plan was to ride Chantry at 9:30 with Raul but when we got there we found the gate locked, so we changed plans and decided to head up to JPL and do the Lower Merrill/Sunset/El Prieto loop. When we got to the JPL lot the plans changed once again as Raul recommended a Redbox to JPL shuttle. Yes, I did type shuttle :-$. I was feeling a little guilty shuttling this ride but what the heck, we deserve it and after all, it was the first of the year.
We left Raul's car at JPL and drove up to Redbox on my car and did not start riding until 10:40am. Weather was great - a little cool but somewhat sunny.
Off we went without stopping until the waterfall right before switzer where we stopped to take a few pictures of Raul clearing the rock section. After Switzers we started noticing the sound of water, which was pretty much with us through out the ride. Note to self: don't play in the rocks with wet tires - I almost smashed my huevos on my top tube in the section after switzers 8-[ but the huevos' gods were looking after me. Now they are back on my wife's purse at home for another two weeks....:?:
Our next stop was at Bear Cyn water fall where we noticed even more water and made the water crossings that much more challenging as we kept descending. Staying dry after this point was not an option. The Arroyo Seco was no longer dry for a change, it was a river...The views were awesome with a feel of being somewhere far from SoCal - Very happy to have the San Gabriels so close to home. Many parts of the trail were covered in leaves and there were ferns all over the place...just beautiful! The guilt and shame I was feeling at the beginning of Redbox was soon replaced by a big smile. Could not have asked for a better ride to start the year...yes, even if it was a shuttle. :-k

Here are some of the pictures...not a whole lot as my battery died before we got to Ken Burton...
Raul clearing the switzer waterfall on his hard tail

on the switch backs after Switzers

on Gabrielino


lots of awesome shots. Can't believe this is SoCal and better yet on the San Gabriels...


Raul taking a moment to enjoy the scenery


lots of water crossings with plenty of water...

me...




ML posing...


Raul hitting some steps as we aproach close to Ken Burton...

...can't wait to do it again

 

THX, nice pics Vic

 

Freekin Shuttle Scum!

You ought to be ashamed of yourselfs!!!

 

Some people just can't play nice!!! :lol: Does this mean you don't love me anymore cause I'm a "shuttle monkey" too???

 

Shuttle scum? :?: Hmmm... A few months ago I clearly remember riding a similar route (i.e. Strawberry to JPL) with a few cherished friends. Shuttle scum? Who did I go with.....



Who shuttled with us that day? :-k



I know who...


Vic- Great pics! :clap:
There would have been NO shame had to linked Strawberry to Redbox to Switzer to JPL!
How were trail conditions? Water crossing? Ground dry?
Steppie... Mr. Freak.. StJunkie... Whatta' Ya' Say?

 

Good stuff! The Gab is arguably one of the best and most scenic trails in Southern California. If it wasn't for all the water crossings with the short HAB's that disrupt the "flow" of the ride, it would probably be ranked as the best ride in the area. Still one of my favorite rides. Maybe it's best it is so to detour traffic.
The waterfall shot doesn't due the section justice. Not extremely difficult but far more so then the picture depicts.

 

Steppie- I was trying to GUILT Mr. Freak into doing it again (Strawberry to JPL). :lol:

 

Not hard he says yes to all rides. :steppie:

 

how about in two weeks...Per wife (the one holding my huevos in her purse) I'm on a every other week ride schedule...:?: and would love to do this one again soon. If we post it now I'm sure we'll get a good turn out. The only thing that sucked here was having to go back to get my car.

 

I want to do STRAWBERRY to JPL!

If people want to end the ride at SWITZER- so be it!
Strawberry to Switzer is an epic ride on its own!
Next week I will be in Fontana (Races on Sunday). I am down for SATURDAY!
Keep us posted!

 

The ride looks incredible!! Awesome pic's - thanks

 

Awesome pics, thanks for the RR. That rock garden just before Switzer's is Uber fun. I haven't done that run since the big rains two years ago, but I'd like to do it again.

Oh, BTW, no matter what anybody else tells you:
NEVER, EVER, EVER APOLOGIZE FOR SHUTTLING. People who opposed shuttling are just ding dongs!!!

 

I saw you guys coming down! I was walking at Switzer's with my kids and you guys came by.

 

VTScum, when the Chantry gate is closed, you CLIMB THE PAVEMENT! (that pavement descent is actually pretty fun at the end of your ride too)

Thanks for the pics, looks great out there.

I'd join you in 2 weeks but will be out of town, and now we have a huge storm expected this weekend (calling for up to 10 inches of rain in the San Gabes!)

 

DINO what you need to do is start at Switzers, go up the Gab, do Strawberry backwards, and come down Colby Cyn. That route kicks azz. You could then go all the way to JPL if you felt scummy that day.

 

(sniff) I miss Gabrielino. I really need to make it up there again. however, I aint driving. why? 1st time i assited with the red box shuttle my still new (read: dealer paper plates new) car got sideswiped by a motorcyclist (ask Hugh- he was with me) and the 2nd time I mis-judged the single stall garage and put a awesome scrape in my bumper. so, who's gonna drive my azz?

 

Redbox was a bit dry and loose. I assume the back side of strawberry will be the same. The good thing is that this weekend's rain should pack the trails nicely once again and should be nice for next weekend. How about it?

I'm down for Saturday as well for a strawberry/JPL run... Post it!

Where you the one with the black lab chewing on a deer's leg? We did encounter a few groups nearing Switzers.

Thought about doing the climb as we've done it before but thought we would have more fun (i had to stop before I typed this word) shuttling.

 

Stunning! My heart rate elevated just looking at those pic's.

 

Here's the route we did back in November:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4701580

No shuttles, parked at JPL, and headed up Gould Mesa, up Lukens, Grizzly, Josephine, Strawberry, then all the way back down the gab. Pure fun! I could be talked into doing it again soon...!