Trail Update: Strawberry Peak and Colby Trail San Gabriel Mountains

Discussion in 'Trail Conditions' started by dstepper, Mar 16, 2014.

  1. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    August 29, 2009 was the, Station Fire, largest fire ever in California. Many of us lost our primary riding areas. Because of the ruggedness and the type of geology out there these trails have been closed ever since. With Federal Grant money and untold volunteer hours from LA Conservation Corp, CORBA, Mt. Wilson Biking Association, and The Sierra Club the loop will be read for the Feds to lift the closure in May of this year. There are still trails in the burn area that have not been worked on and will not be open but it is nice to get Strawberry Loop back. It has always been one top front range San Gabriel rides.

    Here are some pics of the work I joined CORBA to do today. The trail has never been this wide or smooth before so those that would not ride it due to exposure may want to try it again when it opens.
     

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  2. RustyIron

    RustyIron Rob S.

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    Spectacular! Thanks for your hard work.
     
  3. evdog

    evdog Member

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    +1 Thanks for all involved!
     
  4. Hanzo

    Hanzo .

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    Thank you CORBA, Steve, Dean and the rest! Is that skinny girl in the pic shesmiles?
     
  5. rojomas

    rojomas A.K.A The Oxx

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    That's awesome Dean!! Thanx for your and all that was involved hard work.

    So does this mean it is completely open now? If not, let me know next time when there is a trail day. Strawberry is one of my all time favorite XC trails and have been missing it.
     
  6. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    The trail is still closed until the Forest Service lifts the forest wide closure some time in May. Strawberry Peak Trail North of Colby Trail, Colby Canyon Trail, and Gabrielino Trails below Switzers will probably remain closed a while longer as not much work has been done on those trails. A endangered frog was found down on Strawberry Peak Trail near the green bridge in Upper Big Tujunga Canyon. We all know what happens when that happens...in the past they closed those trails to even hikers. When the found the same frog in Rattlesnake Canyon section of Pacific Crest Trail they made the hikers use Highway 2 to hike around that section.
     
  7. RustyIron

    RustyIron Rob S.

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    Ruh roh. Frogs don't bode well for us.

    Mt. Williamson, between Redbox and Vincent Gap, used to be a great place to climb. It was close to home, the rock was excellent, the scenery was beautiful, the routes were high-quality. Then they discovered the frog. It's now been nine years since the area has been closed. Perhaps this will be the year that the area is reopened.
     
  8. dirtmistress

    dirtmistress AKA Roadiemistress

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    Thank you so much Dean and Lynn and all of you that got out there to work! I'll be so happy to do that trail again and take Binh on an old timers favorite!
     
  9. Varaxis

    Varaxis Trail Ninja

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    Nice work. I like how you include the pic of the rider in it to give a sense of scale, to show just how much work went into it.
     
  10. AKmoney

    AKmoney Member

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    Very nice. What's the Poodle Dog Bush situation like in the San Gabes these days?
     
  11. Rossage

    Rossage Active Member

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    The poodle dog bush is dying out-5 years after the fire. Exactly as predicted by the Native American woman at the Haramonkna (sp?) cultural center at Red Box.
     
  12. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    Kanga is not allergic to poodle dog so he has removed all PD on opened and to be opened trails. Also all Yucca has been removed from the trails, the trails have never been better. Now if you head into areas that have not been worked by CORBA like Pacific Crest Trail up and over Pacifico there is Poodle Dog brush along the trail. Hikers can avoid it has not been removed. A lot of Poodle Dog was removed this weekend on Strawberry.
     
  13. Sprockethead

    Sprockethead S.T.U.P.I.D.A.S.S. Member

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    Thanks Dean, volunteers, and CORBA for workin' on the trail. Hopefully we'll have a flannel ride to kick off the opening!
     
  14. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    You are not the only one that has suggested that. Last flannel ride March 2008. We even got the STR godfather (George) out for that ride.
     

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