Access to Mt Pinos via Forest Route 9N04

[mtntraveler]

Preamble
I recently did a ride where I started at the junction of Mt Pinos road and Mill Portero Hwy riding thru Pine Mtn club and going up Mt Able.  There is a trail head about 1/4 from the top that goes thru the wilderness area.  At this point I disassembled my S&S equipped Fargo and carried it to Sheep Camp campsite where there is water(2.5 miles)  The next day hiking to Mt Pinos and reassembling the bike for a ride on dirt roads and trails all the way back to my truck.  While hiking I kept wondering about other routs on Mt Pinos.  This brings me to my question.

My question is does anyone know the status of Forest road 9N04.  I have a Mtn bike guide (copyright 1990)  The Saugus District of Angeles National Forest with Mt Pinos and it show 9N04 as well as 8N05 going up to Mt Pinos.  Around 2000 I meet a local who was try to promote a mtn bike century in the area and he had his route going thru 9N04, I asked about this, he said he had no problems going thru.  The road is there I've driven at least the upper half and its in good condition.  You could probably ride down the road and shoot out thru the private property without attracting any/little attention not so going up.  Having this road open would sure open up new loops.  Anyone got the scoop on this dirt road.

[evdog]

I would try to find the Forest Service motor vehicle use map for the area.  Sometimes roads passing through private property are passable, and if so they will be shown on the map.  Those that are not open to the public are not shown.  I have had mucho problems with private property while trying to put together routes near San Diego.  Some property owners are really aggro about people passing through.  Some don't seem to care, and if there are no residences adjacent to the road they may never know unless they see your tracks.  For a one time route it may be doable, but I would not want to publish a route and send others through there.  Just because one person does not have trouble does not mean others will get through.  On the other hand, you could ask permission of the land owner to pass, sometimes when you explain what you're up to and that you will let them know of any illegal uses/issues they may be ok with you passing through. 

Sorry I can't help with specifics here.  Good luck....

[ec_duz_it]

9N04 is not open to mountain bikers if you try to start from Lockwood Valley Road. If you want to go up 9N04, you have to take a singletrack that starts in Cuddy Valley. I was just out there a few weeks ago, so this info is up to date.  Here is an awesome "underground" Mt. Pinos loop. The beginning of this ride is not well known, but its pretty fun, flat single track that connects you to 9N04. You can download the GPX right off this link:

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=582668

This is going to be part of a new 300 mile tour/ race that I have planned for next spring.  I have about 85% of the 300 mile route ridden and mapped out, but I am not going to release the final GPX route for the 300 miler until I have it 100% ridden, which will be sometime this fall.  Hope you can join us in spring of 2014, the website is already partially up!   www.tourdelospadres.com

-Erin

[evdog]

The bikepack route looks awesome so far, keep us up to date!

[trebor]

I've been so remiss in researching and exploring the los padres forest. Thanks Erin for the work you're putting in.

[sijames]

Erin
just rode this route on tuesday night. Left LA at 3 after leaving work early. Parked at the start and rode up with the gear, camped overnight and then did the rest of the ride back to the car. great little midweek adventure. Loved the new route up to Mount Pinos, only done the road up and McGill trail before. Looking forward to the route for the Tour Of Los Padres, would love to do it!
Do you know if there is access from Lockwood Valley road to Seymour Canyon road??
cheers for the route, look forward to seeing more if you want to release some!
Simon

[ec_duz_it]

Hey simon, good to hear people actually do some of the rides i have posted. I have a few moremore moreposted on tourdelospadres.com, and also i will release a more finalized route for tourdelospadres very soon.

[ec_duz_it]

I forgot to answer your question about Seymour Canyon Road-  There is absolutely no access via Lockwood Valley Road.  I rode my bike up to a point on that road until I saw at least 5 no trespassing signs and turned around. 

Its pretty lame to have these public forest roads that would make great connections for longer routes to not be open to through traffic, but it is what it is. 

-Erin

[sijames]

Erin
thanks for the info. Guessed it would be too good to be true to get access from Seymour Canyon road, it would make a great connection. Really looking forward to you releasing more of the Los Padres Tour. 2 of us plan on doing that next year. We have also just signed up for this little thing in Arizona, not sure if you have seen it. Looks an amazing 4 day stage tour in early october.
http://rockyroad5050.wordpress.com/5-coconino-250-and-350/
http://www.topofusion.com/diary/2009/06/29/coco-ming-o-bob/
cheers
Simon

[ec_duz_it]

haha funny you are doing the coconino!  You will have a great time.  I did it back in April (not racing).  Water will be hard to find this time of year.  Ride fast between water sources!   Mingus Mountain pretty much sucks ass going up, but it is fun on the backside of Mingus going down.   Here is my blog I did:

http://erincarrolllandscapearchitect.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/coconino-loop-april-22-27-2013-2/

[sijames]

Erin

I was wondering about the water situation. I just bought a 3 liter platypus bladder and will get a frame bag for that to go in. Hoping October will be a little cooler? But like you said, end of the summer may not be much water source. Any tips would be helpful, and how often there is town for dedicated water

Simon

[ec_duz_it]

Water sources:

-when you start in Flagstaff
-lodge near mormon lake (only use as emergency, as it is off route)
-ADOT hose bib just after you pass the first hwy
-Sedona
-Oak Creek just outside Sedona
-Cottonwood
This is where it could get a bit sketchy- between cottonwood and the verde river there probably wont be jack for water.  There is a spot called "coyote spring". the water is gross at the first metal reservior, but some guy said if you go farther uphill there is flowing water.  I can't confirm this.  Carry a shitload of water up mingus.  Riding between mingus and and the verde river is a good section to ride at night once you pass the highway (use less water and its not technical riding). 

-After the verde, I can't tell you of any natural water sources. I did not do stage 4 because of 3 broken spokes coming down Bill Williams mountain.  Williams has plenty of services.  Have fun!

PS- private email me and I will send you tentative routes for the TDLP.  erincarroll_land_arch@yahoo.com

[ec_duz_it]

For those of you who were previously interested on this thread, gpx and cue sheets are now up on the Tour De Los Padres website.