STR!! It's Time For The Semi-Annual Hurkey Creek Camp-Out! APRIL 13th,14th & 15th

What would be the bike of choice? 29'r SSHT, 26'r 4" full squish, or should I bring both of them?

 

Whenever I go someplace I've never ridden before, I always bring my 4" FS XC bike. Not that Hurkey Creek has anything technical, but if you plan on doing Log Pile, South Ridge, Missing Link, Bonita Vista or any of the Hombres, you'll have a funner time NOT walking you bike up some of the climbs. Remember, you're also at elevation.

 

When in doubt, always bring full squish and gears.

BTW, would anyone be interested in doing Thomas Mtn./Romona trail across the street? I'm really surprised that no one ever rides that trail when going to Hurkey Creek. It's so close to HC and such a fun trail.

 

me,i love ramona trail

 

I don't think that I'll be camping out but I can come up in the morning.

 

Gene, what do you consider technical? there are plenty of rock features and rolls and logs to ride over. Switchbacks and soft dirt and singletrack jumps and rollers abound. Sort of. Full Sus Brownie! Next time go single. Just my opinion.

Goose, I loved Ramona till someone went in and took out a lot of the tech near the bottom. I may make that my Friday ride but I really dig the abundance of singletrack right from the campground. For now I'll wait to see what happens.

Wizard, that's 10 bucks for the 3rd car, right? Where did you get that info.? I can't find it.

 

How long ago was that? I haven't ridden it in about 2yrs.

 

Hurkey Creek 24 course isn't technical IMHO compared to some of the other trails I've ridden up there, but it's all relative to what they can ride I guess. Those other trails above Hurkey 24 hr course do have some features, but nothing that a HT can't handle, but for no holding back, letting it fly type of riding, I always bring the FS and gears.

 

Stjunkie, Painfreak, Sheclimbs and I started this camp-out many years back and Thomas Mountain has always been the Sunday ride. Last few years we have been riding Ramona Trail as an out and back so we could have singletrack instead of fire road. Historically saturday ride was May Valley to Ernie Maxwell, climb Taquitz fireroad to Southridge Trail and finish on the 24 hours coarse. Since no more Ernie Maxwell we have been riding the spring challenge coarse, then up that horrible fireroad to Southridge. Personally I am a bit burnout on the riding out there and I am done climbing the fireroad because I don't think the climb is worth the down. That said I am looking forward to seeing everyone and hoping to find some new stuff to ride....been many years since I have been in Alvin Meadows and if I have to climb fireroad I would rather it be Black Mountain.

Note: I once shuttled a group to the top of Ramona Trail while Stjunkie, Burner, Liz and some others I forget climbed Ramona Trail and they got there 10 minutes after we drove up. That is why we stopped pedaling or shuttling up the fireroad.

 

Bumpy.

 

Who's going up Friday?

 

I think Steve and I are headed up Friday, and thanks everyone on the bike feedback...PIVOT MACH4 it is!

 

The last couple of times I camped at HC, the sign (and the ranger) said $10 for extra cars. It wouldn't hurt to confirm. Give them a call. The rangers are very nice and bike friendly. I am also looking forward to riding Romona. I planned on Sunday, but Friday is fine. I would also like to hit up Southridge (always fun if we can figure out a shuttle) and Missing Link (haven't done the ML, Rage, Tunnel route for quite a while). Yes, we will be going up on Friday and will get there with plenty of time to get a ride in. I agree about the FS. Hard tails are fine, but SS would be limiting.

I still have room for one more car and plenty of tent space.

 

I'll be there Friday. Sometime around 9:00am or so.

 

Question: I heard that some of the trails (e.g. Missing Link) were closed due to errosion. Can anyone confirm this?

For those who don't know the HC trails, here are most of them (from the Spring Challange Web Site): http://www.idyllwildcycling.com/storage/27 Mile XC Course 2012.pdf The map does not show Missing Link, Rage Through The Sage, and Tunnel of Love. Exfoliator is there, but not highlighted.

 

Nothing is officially closed, but those trails are to be off limits to races and may well be blocked at some point or another, but I doubt it will be in the very near future. Exfoliator is very rutted at the moment too, so beware of getting caught in those wheel-hugging suckers. Otherwise, hero dirt abounds. See you all up here.
P.s. What time are people riding on Friday?

 

I'm going to be up there before noon Simon. Todd and I and whoever will ride Alvin meadows or something, if he waits for me.
I'll try to get up earlier. The advanced forecast is 70's in L.A. so I assume that means gorgeous by you!
Looking forward to seeing you!

 

Of course I'll wait for you Liz. I like to get up there early, but in no hurry to ride. Most likely hit the campground and set up camp if I'm that early and have time.

 

Liz and Todd, I'll try and get the whole weekend off, as I am scheduled to work Friday afternoon and Saturday at the bike shop. There may well also be a party and sale at the bike shop too, so let me know if there is any interest. I believe it is their 1 year anniversary. Look forward to seeing you too, Liz. xx:wave:

 

I'd like to buy a water bag...:lol: I can't remember what they are called but like what Dean has! The low rider one.