It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:31 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 9:09 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:56 pm
Posts: 7789
Location: Vista
Given: 23228 thanks
Received: 17284 thanks
Bike(s): Yes
Favorite Trails: crooked & winding...
I took a two-and-a-half day bikepacking trip last weekend with Valley Boy, aka Dale. It was our first. I pieced together a point-to-point route that I knew well, so didn’t need GPS tracking. So sorry, no stats. Total mileage was just long enough. Elevation gain was a fraction of the loss, but still provided lots of up and down.

We left early Friday morning from Lake Cuyamaca, and it was way colder than expected, so I ended up riding the first few hours in a fleece vest I had meant to leave in the truck. Made a nice pillow the next two nights.

Rode a little pavement to the south shore Minshall trail, which turned out to be mostly under water. So rode a little more pavement, out towards the horse camps to pick up Soapstone, to CRHT to cross Sunrise Hwy at the Pedro **** Monument.

We didn’t see anyone else all morning, and heard meadowlarks the whole way.

Attachment:
7EA6FB70-9945-4BB4-A293-A2389BDAD341.jpeg
7EA6FB70-9945-4BB4-A293-A2389BDAD341.jpeg [ 6.6 MiB | Viewed 12742 times ]


We took the traditional break at the oak trees, but they looked less familiar to me, with no leaves yet.

The CRHT singletrack across that plateau to the Mason Valley Truck Trail doubletrack had water running next to it and in it, but it was shallow and no problem. Rode through it, not around it.

Attachment:
A8C24A8E-F367-44DD-9F52-33E8A409D9CE.jpeg
A8C24A8E-F367-44DD-9F52-33E8A409D9CE.jpeg [ 5.53 MiB | Viewed 12742 times ]


Attachment:
522207A6-2513-423B-AB9F-464D13F592BE.png
522207A6-2513-423B-AB9F-464D13F592BE.png [ 3.29 MiB | Viewed 12736 times ]


The MVTT down to Oriflamme Canyon was smooth and fast. Oriflamme itself was steep and rocky, and real fun, even with full loads. Caught a little air and buzzed the seat pack on the tire a number of times. The bikes took a real beating, but only ejected one water bottle. The temperature climbed steadily as the elevation dropped.

Attachment:
8727D9B3-816E-4DDE-83E2-B27BB0727F85.jpeg
8727D9B3-816E-4DDE-83E2-B27BB0727F85.jpeg [ 4.5 MiB | Viewed 12742 times ]


Attachment:
C9877553-A8E0-423E-A8FB-F9BE2300E39A.jpeg
C9877553-A8E0-423E-A8FB-F9BE2300E39A.jpeg [ 4.59 MiB | Viewed 12742 times ]


Had a restful lunch at the shady creek area, made some iced coffee, and waded in the cold stream.

Attachment:
90C6578B-B711-4EEF-A122-4CDD014EF81A.jpeg
90C6578B-B711-4EEF-A122-4CDD014EF81A.jpeg [ 5.15 MiB | Viewed 12742 times ]

Attachment:
5927C838-1598-4F52-AC22-50728617B5CA.jpeg
5927C838-1598-4F52-AC22-50728617B5CA.jpeg [ 4.47 MiB | Viewed 12742 times ]


The rocky roads turned sandy as we came out on the flats to S2. I had hoped to poach the old stagecoach road through Box Canyon, but I was tired, the sand was soft, and there were hikers. So we took the asphalt ribbon up the pass and then caught the old road into Blair Valley, which was well populated with flower seekers. And flowers. We jogged back onto the asphalt to get over Foot & Walker pass, then doubled back on Little Blair Valley road to find a sheltered campsite out of the wind.

Attachment:
391875EE-E3A7-410B-B4C4-8B96532A190C.jpeg
391875EE-E3A7-410B-B4C4-8B96532A190C.jpeg [ 6.05 MiB | Viewed 12742 times ]


Attachment:
F0D13EF5-378A-4815-A54B-554C46037276.jpeg
F0D13EF5-378A-4815-A54B-554C46037276.jpeg [ 1.79 MiB | Viewed 12742 times ]

Dinner and scotch were good, and the night featured one of the loudest coyote choruses I’ve ever heard. A heavy dew had us dragging out my bivy sack and his tarp in the middle of the night. Dale was second-guessing my advice to leave the tent behind, but the bags dried quickly in the morning sun.

Attachment:
BBBE29D6-0FBB-46A5-B7E0-F7D87698B8A2.jpeg
BBBE29D6-0FBB-46A5-B7E0-F7D87698B8A2.jpeg [ 3.04 MiB | Viewed 12742 times ]



The day was warming up quickly, and we got a late start, causing a sense of foreboding as I knew we had a looong sandy uphill grind ahead of us on Pinyon Mtn Road, after restocking our water at the Stagecoach Trails store ( I carried 6 1/2 liters, and Dale had 7 1/2).

I started out pulling third for a few miles, but was tired and into granny gear and frequent rests well before getting up into the hills. It wasn’t too bad if you stayed in the relatively firm tire tracks, but every time a Jeep or buggy overtook us (many), we had to swerve into the unrideable deep sand.

Attachment:
94A3BD21-09AE-4ECA-A66A-4165E8A56A0A.jpeg
94A3BD21-09AE-4ECA-A66A-4165E8A56A0A.jpeg [ 741.08 KiB | Viewed 12736 times ]


It was still mostly uphill for a few miles through Pinyon Valley, but it was firmer with ups & downs, and the scenery was beautiful. I had planned on a break out of the hot sun in the shade of a juniper, and exploring side canyons, but we kept going as there was a cool breeze and I wanted to get towards a campsite in Harper or Hapaha Flat.

Attachment:
D1071ADE-FD37-426A-9030-FAD9A9ACE36B.jpeg
D1071ADE-FD37-426A-9030-FAD9A9ACE36B.jpeg [ 5.42 MiB | Viewed 12736 times ]

Attachment:
FB7A1B57-C85D-4608-BCA3-9B8D901DB75A.jpeg
FB7A1B57-C85D-4608-BCA3-9B8D901DB75A.jpeg [ 5.35 MiB | Viewed 12736 times ]

Attachment:
3AC16738-0A3D-4380-B1FD-5E8EA115D056.jpeg
3AC16738-0A3D-4380-B1FD-5E8EA115D056.jpeg [ 1.28 MiB | Viewed 12736 times ]



There were lots of 4WD’s attempting the Squeeze, or turning around there. The hardcore rigs continued to the Dropoff, then took turns attempting to climb back up. A few rock crawlers made it, but some had to be winched up, including this nice old Land Cruiser with a Chevy 350, which lacked the articulation of the raddest Jeeps. We watched a while before continuing. I had ridden the Dropoff last time on a day ride, but there was NFW with a fully loaded bike. In fact, I could barely control it walking it down, as the DG was so damn slippery and the bike so front-heavy!

The next several miles to the flats were really fun twisty-turny up & down, and a few steep walk-ups. We were having a blast on the flat-out top-gear wash descents, occasionally drifting or fish-tailing as we caught soft sand. This got me worried about the possible soft sand in Fish Creek the next day, so we kept going in order to have a shorter ride Sunday. I’ve done this ride three times before, the first time in the 80’s, and two of three times the sand really sucked, once in upper Fish, and once in lower. But when it’s good, it’s really fun.

Attachment:
E95945C8-5BD2-4A71-91A6-044BE0DAD8BE.jpeg
E95945C8-5BD2-4A71-91A6-044BE0DAD8BE.jpeg [ 5.18 MiB | Viewed 12736 times ]


Attachment:
A45CCFEB-A74A-4874-96A4-8DCACAA59A97.jpeg
A45CCFEB-A74A-4874-96A4-8DCACAA59A97.jpeg [ 4.27 MiB | Viewed 12736 times ]


We ran into these two married bikepackers from Minnesota at Split Rock, doing a one-night lollipop from Borrego Springs, up Fish Creek and out Harper Flat. We were feeling good so pushed on down into upper Fish Creek past the mud cliffs, seeing more flowers as we went. When it widened out above Sandstone Canyon, we played around on the bordering sandstone slabs a little (being careful not to leave tire marks). We pushed our bikes up and over a ridge to a great hidden spot out of the wind and away from the traffic and other campers.

Attachment:
89216C25-33E9-4307-B5C7-6DE61759D582.jpeg
89216C25-33E9-4307-B5C7-6DE61759D582.jpeg [ 2.85 MiB | Viewed 12736 times ]
Attachment:
7431E344-8C56-444C-BE9D-DD4334EE4252.jpeg
7431E344-8C56-444C-BE9D-DD4334EE4252.jpeg [ 4.3 MiB | Viewed 12736 times ]



We made camp and finished dinner just before dark. Dale lubed his chain by headlamp.
Attachment:
EE7FBD2F-CA3C-43B6-8109-D8332C593C7C.jpeg
EE7FBD2F-CA3C-43B6-8109-D8332C593C7C.jpeg [ 3.82 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]

Attachment:
5620B588-594A-4EF9-805E-AF9D6371B353.jpeg
5620B588-594A-4EF9-805E-AF9D6371B353.jpeg [ 3.29 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]

Sunset was nice, the just-past-full moon flooded the desert with light starting about midnight, and the dawn was gorgeous.

Attachment:
4E6E216D-09BD-4A77-A9A8-766B6A63D479.jpeg
4E6E216D-09BD-4A77-A9A8-766B6A63D479.jpeg [ 846.54 KiB | Viewed 12736 times ]

Attachment:
67D56CA7-0B6A-4768-A118-11CAAD907EED.jpeg
67D56CA7-0B6A-4768-A118-11CAAD907EED.jpeg [ 4.4 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]

Attachment:
4F9F0B8D-F1CD-4524-B33D-32A90A42418A.jpeg
4F9F0B8D-F1CD-4524-B33D-32A90A42418A.jpeg [ 3.18 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]

Attachment:
5C7D8A3E-3AA8-4515-B41D-2FFE410BEAA6.jpeg
5C7D8A3E-3AA8-4515-B41D-2FFE410BEAA6.jpeg [ 4.81 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]


We packed up and hit the trail on time, serenaded by canyon wrens, and made great time on the remaining eleven miles out through Split Mountain. We met only one more mountain biker, this young woman from Illinois out just cruising around.

Attachment:
2F35B7A1-17A5-43B9-9FEB-314FE91752B7.jpeg
2F35B7A1-17A5-43B9-9FEB-314FE91752B7.jpeg [ 4.34 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]

Attachment:
2D30DAFC-203E-4F39-986A-4AD911EA03FB.jpeg
2D30DAFC-203E-4F39-986A-4AD911EA03FB.jpeg [ 3.19 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]

Attachment:
ACCC7861-2122-434C-B2AC-A324D07D3D91.jpeg
ACCC7861-2122-434C-B2AC-A324D07D3D91.jpeg [ 3.13 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]

Attachment:
2983B195-86AE-4667-AE9F-CEC98BCA3409.jpeg
2983B195-86AE-4667-AE9F-CEC98BCA3409.jpeg [ 4.71 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]

Attachment:
1529BD68-B944-4CAB-AD94-FA207350985B.jpeg
1529BD68-B944-4CAB-AD94-FA207350985B.jpeg [ 2.97 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]


It was pretty hot when we arrived an hour early at noon to our pickup spot at Fish Creek Primitive Camp, just short of the pavement to Ocotillo Wells. We were down to a liter or so of water each. Just right. Some nice folks stopped to talk, and gave us a red Solo cup full of cold pineapple chunks. Damn, that was good!

Attachment:
D9CF5D8F-1928-49CA-891D-AD600C0DC15A.jpeg
D9CF5D8F-1928-49CA-891D-AD600C0DC15A.jpeg [ 4.68 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]


Exactly on time, my wife and ninety-two year old mom (she loves the desert) showed up with huge sandwiches, and a cooler with ice-cold cans of IPA for all. No crashes, no mechanicals, a great three-day weekend.

Attachment:
E64DEDC6-8C66-40EE-9915-E6A0E97D4F4A.png
E64DEDC6-8C66-40EE-9915-E6A0E97D4F4A.png [ 4.45 MiB | Viewed 12735 times ]

(Pavement is red, dirt is orange)

_________________
Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 16 users would like to thank OldDogDan for his or her post:
24v, ajdonner, avidtest, Belizean, Big Clyde, Dirtrider, evdog, GForce, his highness, J.A.M., Kimba, Ld00d, OhNooo, OldAndSlow, oldskool, tfitz
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 4:19 am 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:37 pm
Posts: 2577
Location: Past. Future. Present.
Given: 9030 thanks
Received: 5482 thanks
Bike(s): Enduro Trophy Truck
Favorite Trails: I'll know it when I find it.
Very cool Dan and Dale. Life-affirming! :cheers:

_________________
_______________________________
Image

"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank avidtest for his or her post:
OldDogDan
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 9:19 am 
Offline
Active Participant
Active Participant
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:20 pm
Posts: 234
Given: 282 thanks
Received: 490 thanks
Favorite Trails: ???
Awesome TR! Overall, did you like bikepacking? It's something I've been thinking about for a while now, but I've never gotten around to getting organized for it. It looks like you invested in some actual bikepacking gear. Also, 6.5 to 7.5 liters of water?! Wow... you guys are BEASTS! Must have been some pretty heavy bikes.

_________________
I do not think it means what you think it means.


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank Inconceivable for his or her post:
OldDogDan
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 11:48 am 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:39 pm
Posts: 3407
Location: Ocean Beach
Given: 2423 thanks
Received: 7322 thanks
Bike(s): Revel Rail, Spur, Carver Ti,
Favorite Trails: Hmm........
Nice work Dan! Looks like a great time out there.


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank evdog for his or her post:
OldDogDan
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 12:18 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:56 pm
Posts: 7789
Location: Vista
Given: 23228 thanks
Received: 17284 thanks
Bike(s): Yes
Favorite Trails: crooked & winding...
Inconceivable wrote:
Awesome TR! Overall, did you like bikepacking? It's something I've been thinking about for a while now, but I've never gotten around to getting organized for it. It looks like you invested in some actual bikepacking gear. Also, 6.5 to 7.5 liters of water?! Wow... you guys are BEASTS! Must have been some pretty heavy bikes.


Yes, we both liked it and will definitely do more. I thought I was toast after the first long day, but oddly felt great the second & third days. My friend Andy (aka farfield) mailed us custom frame bags for the triangle, done from cardboard templates. He also made us “feed bags” which are like bottle sacks for the handlebars. I splurged on the seat pack, and it was well worth it. Those things are great! I think Valley Boy will buy one, as he had stuff lashed all over and a too-big backpack. Neither of us bought commercial handlebar “rolls” for our sleeping gear. We just strapped them on and had zero issues with controls or cables. Really all our gear worked great. For water, you need a lot to ride all day and cook breakfast & dinner too. Ideally you can filter a natural source or refill along the way, but that wasn’t an option for us after the second morning. Some folks cache water ahead of time too. So, my bike including the tool pouch is just under 29 lbs. It was over 60 fully loaded. I wore a Camelbak Mule which was 12 lbs with completely full 3L bladder, and a little emergency gear and extra layer. Same as I carry on any long remote day trip, although rarely a full bladder. We added air to tires and suspension to compensate, but yeah, the weight was an eye-opener, but they rode surprisingly well. If you’re interested, I encourage giving it a try.

_________________
Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 3 users would like to thank OldDogDan for his or her post:
Belizean, Inconceivable, Kimba
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 12:35 pm 
Offline
Participant
Participant
User avatar

Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 1:20 pm
Posts: 74
Location: Valley Center
Given: 189 thanks
Received: 89 thanks
Bike(s): Something in Electric Blue! SL
Favorite Trails: Calavera, Daley, Gooseberry
All true! I'll definitely do it again soon. On the second day I was carrying 10.5 liters, 6 in my back pack and 4.5 on the bike, knowing it would have to last 2 days. My legs just today stopped being sore after the pinion Mt uphill sand shlog with all that water. But soooo worth it!


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 6 users would like to thank Valley Boy for his or her post:
avidtest, Belizean, Dirtrider, Inconceivable, Kimba, OldDogDan
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 12:58 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:56 pm
Posts: 7789
Location: Vista
Given: 23228 thanks
Received: 17284 thanks
Bike(s): Yes
Favorite Trails: crooked & winding...
^^^ Well, I didn’t want to scare anyone off with your second-day water stat. But then you like to take a bath and wash your bike every day too...

_________________
Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 2 users would like to thank OldDogDan for his or her post:
avidtest, Inconceivable
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 2:51 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:42 pm
Posts: 3724
Location: Poway
Given: 10484 thanks
Received: 7541 thanks
Bike(s): Specialized Levo Expert
Favorite Trails: Snipers Point, Doggo DH
Great TR guys and so glad it all worked out for you :cheers:

_________________
You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank Dirtrider for his or her post:
OldDogDan
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 3:46 pm 
Offline
Participant
Participant

Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:11 pm
Posts: 27
Location: Oxnard
Given: 54 thanks
Received: 46 thanks
Bike(s): Trance, Niner, Tough Road
Favorite Trails: TwoFoxes, Sin Nombre, Encinal
Thanks for sharing. I'll make the next one. >andy

_________________
It only hurts when I am not in the saddle.


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank OldAndSlow for his or her post:
OldDogDan
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 7:19 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:56 pm
Posts: 7789
Location: Vista
Given: 23228 thanks
Received: 17284 thanks
Bike(s): Yes
Favorite Trails: crooked & winding...
BTW, if anyone is interested in a basic but bombproof custom-fitted frame bag at a reasonable price, send a PM to farfield [edit: farfield changed his name to OldAndSlow] for details.

_________________
Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 9:23 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:35 pm
Posts: 3769
Location: Variable
Given: 5013 thanks
Received: 5052 thanks
Bike(s): Carbine
Favorite Trails: The Googliest
Dan thanks for posting. It is inspiring. I want!

_________________
"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank Kimba for his or her post:
OldDogDan
PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:53 am 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed

Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:44 am
Posts: 596
Location: North County SD
Given: 149 thanks
Received: 986 thanks
Bike(s): Ibis HD5 & Ripley
Favorite Trails: North Umpqua, OR
Wow...thats a very thorough TR with some great photos. You have also reaffirmed my absolute lack of desire to bikepack :cheers:

_________________
If you don't go this year, you'll only be a year older when you do - Warren Miller


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank k2rider for his or her post:
OldDogDan
PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 11:52 am 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:39 pm
Posts: 3407
Location: Ocean Beach
Given: 2423 thanks
Received: 7322 thanks
Bike(s): Revel Rail, Spur, Carver Ti,
Favorite Trails: Hmm........
Don't knock it til you've tried it! Sure its a different style of riding but bikepacking is one of the best ways to explore new areas and connect cool stuff together that you'd normally never check out on a day ride.


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 3 users would like to thank evdog for his or her post:
ajdonner, Dirtrider, OldDogDan
PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:32 pm 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed

Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:44 am
Posts: 596
Location: North County SD
Given: 149 thanks
Received: 986 thanks
Bike(s): Ibis HD5 & Ripley
Favorite Trails: North Umpqua, OR
evdog wrote:
Don't knock it til you've tried it!


That's what one of my buddies, who's a very good rider by the way and well travelled, says all the time to me about fly fishing. He will swear to you that "hooking up a big trout on a drifting dry fly" is a better rush that any day on a mountain bike. I think he's cuckoo and I'm not buying ANY of it. The same guy is going out turkey hunting tomorrow in east County and went out a day early today to set up his blind. He told me I should come with him because it's "so much fun...even if don't shoot anything". Once again, I'll pass.

_________________
If you don't go this year, you'll only be a year older when you do - Warren Miller


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank k2rider for his or her post:
OldDogDan
PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 8:33 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:39 pm
Posts: 3407
Location: Ocean Beach
Given: 2423 thanks
Received: 7322 thanks
Bike(s): Revel Rail, Spur, Carver Ti,
Favorite Trails: Hmm........
Stream fishing for trout is pretty fun especially on light gear. It's one of the few things I'd do a lot more of if there were good streams down here. Don't care so much for fly fishing as I spend a lot more time untangling from bushes than I do actually casting for fish.


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank evdog for his or her post:
OldDogDan
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group