Finally! I made it up to Idyllwild with friends for a mtn biking week-end. The trails we rode were out of Hurkey Creek, just below Idyllwild actually, but we opted for comfort in a mtn cottage in town, while friends camped out at Hurkey Creek. The camping area is really a wonderful park, and kept clean and well maintained by the rangers. (I'd still choose the cottage; very charming, cozy and a comfy bed works just fine,TUVM!!) Three of us took a Fri afternoon ride on part of the trail to get acclimated to altitude and to give me experience before the longer group ride Sat. Oh, it was everything promised...a fantastic singletrack, gorgeous meadows, trees, trees, trees, wonderful mountain vibe and there just before heading up a hill, the biggest mountain lion prints any of us had ever seen...a big one had passed this way probably early morning! I made some noises, rang my bell and sang a happy song as we headed thattaway! Me, Al and Adam rode to Exfoliator, which was the most fun, supercool , mostly singletrack downhill I've ever ridden. It felt like surfing (I can only imagine ),as we undulated back and forth, side to side across the trail all the way back to the campsite. I hailed it as the THE BEST trail I've ever ridden. Saturday morning was even HOTTER as we returned to the same trail with 15+ friends, all spread out, heading up the trail at various speeds and groups. The start up was tough as the sun beat on us ...until we got to the top ridge and rode into some breeze. It was necessary to stop frequently under the shady pines to recoup and rehydrate ourselves. Pictures are not enough to show, to share the feeling I have as I struggle to ride up tough spots, view the beauty all around and successfully make it to the top of the hill, pedaling past all my whining! Being there, in the middle of those mountains, the scent of pines and the whisper of the wind in each tree as I pedal past, is heaven for me. I would like to have shared more pix but riding was the thing, and I kept thinking, I'll save this all in my mind, as I whizzed by. No time to take pix as I concentrated on making the switchbacks and avoiding death cookies (hidden rocks), and ducking my head from low branches. We all three stopped to allow a big (very big) rattler to make its way across the trail. You go right ahead! We hurried it along with a stone throw....carefully of course! The various size boulders were worth a pit stop and a photo! Adam took a great shot of me riding up and over a big boulder. I hope he sends it to me so I can share it! I had to make three attempts but I did it! I used it all up by the time our Sat ride was done. The best thing about the campsite was being with all our friends as day turned into night and all those amazing stars hung there right over our heads............

Wow, what a great Mem. Weekend. OUT THERE! Bike, hike, bike, bike, bike.....good food, great company!
Our last day out there we headed out on the bike path at 7:30am and headed towards the beach. ALiso Creek bike path , through Laguna Niguel Reg'l Park and lake, cross Crown Valley Pkwy, up Niguel.....thataway..... We got down to Salt Creek in about an hour. We had heavy overcast skies for a bit. But like on cue, 10am rolled in and so did the sun. It was so beautiful! People were out walking, running, riding, kids, pets, everyone heading to the ocean. We rode all the way down to the sand...then rode across the sand at Strands on our skinny tires. We were solo riders on the sand having so much fun. As you can see we had to hike 'em up to the top, then rode back to Salt Creek and back on the bike trail home. Cool breeze kept us smiling as we grunted up a few hills on the return. Whoa, no suspension on these street bikes; gotta watch those bumps on the sidewalk....we NEVER ride in the street, I don't care what they say. Cars are scary! We rewarded our morning trip with a great lunch at Avila's back in Aliso Viejo. I could have ridden all day. But hey, three days in a row, how could I complain? I can't remember last time I rode by a lake and an ocean in the same morning.....

O'Neill Park/Ho CHi Minh Trail

Another beautiful morning ride from RSM into O'Neill Park. Katie joined me and Spain as we headed up Coyote Canyon, down Vista, back up Coyote Canyon, down Live Oak, to Homestead...well, Katie and Spain headed back up CC but my legs said no, not a second time! So I pedaled around the park 'till they came around the bend. It was a very cool morning but sun shone warm. Gorgeous cumulus, piercing blue overhead, fantastic vistas up top. I'm really getting to like this park!
The 3 of us exited into the Arroyo Trabuco Trail, which winds its way through a mostly dry creek bed, some sand, medium boulders, sycamore and oak trees giving us occasional shade. Two spots of NOT DRY creek crossings had us splashing through avoiding slippery boulders. FUN!
Spain's brake pads gave up the ghost midway down the trail..guess you could say his springs sprung! The man is prepared for everything OUT THERE. He had a new brake pad installed in no time. Me and Katie ate and talked. We were no help to the man, but good company!!
We took Katie on down the trail until it became Ho Chi Minh trail, our favorite second half of the trail. Three more stream crossings going and coming.

MOUNTAIN LION YOUNGSTER SIGHTING! I was in the lead and yelled out, "Oh Look! A coyote!" What did I know? Spain was behind and said.."No, Bobcat! NO!! MOUNTAIN LION!! That's a ML youngster!
We all stopped and watched its "longer than a bobcat tail" disappear into the brush in a flash.
OMG. Yes, no coyote, it was a big kitty. WOW, Spain was all excited because he had finally seen a ML up close and personal, sort of, kind of. Well that made all 3 of us experiencing our first sighting of a ML. I was especially happy it was young, and in a hurry to get back to momma wherever SHE was. It was very cool to see the youngin' I must admit. SO glad I wasn't out hiking. Off we road a bit faster and scanning the meadow as we sailed through.
A wonderful morning ride with our special friend Katie.
Saddleback Mountain is always so beautiful. A perfect spring ride.

Hike-A-Bike!

Yes, it's true, there are many spots I CANNOT RIDE! This rock garden heading up Rock-It in Aliso Woods certainly is one spot. But I talked Adam, Al and Russell into riding up Rock-It this past Sunday because it was cool, a bit cloudy and much more comfortable heading up Rock-It before summer's heat. So off we went!

We stopped a few times and Adam Maywhort of Irvine Ranch Conservancy and our good buddy, gave the 3 of us valuable riding tips on approaching rock steps like these and how to ride over them.

We had watched him climb the rocks just minutes before; looking like a mountain goat, climbing with ease. Adam is truly ONE with his bike, a sight to see, so smooth! We all put it to practice on the next grind up. It helped! I had ridden up this spot once before about a year and a half ago. Today I had improved much and felt more confidence. Views were great.

As we climbed this spot, here comes this 8 year old boy, riding down the rock garden next to his Dad. OMG! Put us 3 to shame. He was smiling all the way down...........amazing!

Geez....I'm sittin' there taking a break under my favorite sycamore grove in ALiso Woods....not enough riding lately...more hiking...so I'm tired already! A gorgeous spring morning yesterday; warmer than expected but we were rewarded with a lovely breeze on the ride back.

We have been hiking 3-4 mornings a week up on West Ridge here at Aliso.....but I've been riding only once a week up until now.....Work has made it's demands.

I am making changes at work so I can have more time OUT THERE!

The trail at O'Neill park was a big surprise for me. I had no idea how beautiful it was up on the ridgeline. It was no easy Easter morning ride up that grind but well worth the view ....and the speedy and easy single track down the other side. Clouds cover the peaks of Saddleback.....

Next week we have a docent ride lined up through the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at Weir Canyon. Then the following Thurs eve., my first group night ride at Limestone Canyon. The IRC promises an easy "get to know" night ride...and it will be a full moon. Coooool!!

Back To West Ridge! Trails opened after a "rain fest" these past three weeks. Hikers, runners, bikers, kids, grandparents, they were all out having a wonderful Sunday visit to Aliso Woods as was myself and daughter Leah. Weather was just gorgeous; cool breeze, warm sun.

Ryan McGarrity (6)and his Dad Jim, were at the top of Mathis, ready to descend back down the fire trail on West Ridge. How could I resist a picture of this kid? He was so sure of himself and happy to offer his best smile. His Dad was saying he'd taken a face plant the day before in a rock garden, without a problem. Check out that helmet, those pads, that determination......no wonder he's back on the trail next day.

He asked me.."Do you wanna see me ride down the hill?" Off he goes, full speed ahead, dodging ruts, cornering the trail edge nicely, heading on up the next run, like he'd been at this his whole life....well, I guess he has! Go Ryan! It was sure nice meeting you!

Daughter Leah and I hiked 6+ miles to Top of The World and back.........meeting my biking buddies along the way! It's rather obvious we sure enjoyed ourselves........................

Chantry Flats- Angeles Nat'l Forest

Oh Glory, another hike out there....this time I discovered Chantry Flats above Alta Dena in the Angeles Nat'l Forest. It was a very cool 50+ degree start but sunshine prevailed, that along with a strenous uphill begin and we warmed up enough to remove my jacket before long.

Chantry Flats is a very popular hiking destination for the locals. It is just below Mt Wilson, which can be reached if you just continue climbing up and following the signs.

We chose Upper Winter Creek to begin our hike and followed through to Lower Winter Creek to return to parking.

The trail was a constant beauty. Winding up and over and down and around and up and down; I wondered; why did they name it Chantry FLAT? There was no flat to be found!

But I must rate this hike as the MOST BEAUTIFUL place I have traveled in my hiking shoes. The dappled sunlight provided gorgeous moments around the turns laid out with giant boulders and dramatic scenes of drop downs below; way down below. The creek winds around and down and through and over there again. We crossed over the creek 's stepping stones and big rocks at least a dozen times. The water was clear and at just the perfect height to enjoy it's sounds and not impede an easy crossing. Shoes stayed dried if you chose your stepping stones correctly!! The rock cliffs, the yellow and orange leaves, the fallen trees, the scent of earthy forest; we looked right, then left , then right to soak in the beauty at every turn.

There were intersections along the trail that direct the hiker to Mt Wilson, just a couple more miles thataway. Next time.
The 6 -7 mile hike took us 3 hours and included a few contemplative rest stops. My almond butter and grape jelly sandwiches I hiked in with never made it out. Nothing like a lunch under giant magic pine trees alongside a bubbling brook with a good friend.

Mountain biking is allowed here but the single track would leave me scared silly. The width of the trail is very narrow in many spots and the penalty for a misstep or misplacement of a knobby tire is a looonnng way down into creek beds.

The trail had a steady flow of hikers on this Sunday morning. The parking lot was just about full when we arrived. Best to get there by 7am on those warmer days to grab a spot.

The final 1/2 mile out was an UP. I had wanted to investigate another 1 1/2 mile trail to a hikers lodge but was advised we'd try it next time. Smart advice. The paved UP, out, had us breathing hard, sweating more than the previous 3 hours and happy to see the parking area again.