Tour de los Padres 2017

[TimWilder]

Thanks Erin!  I will tell our group about getting a SPOT before next Wednesday.   

[xcracer]

Is this route doable in the summer? It looks awesome, but im doing aztr the week before

[TimWilder]

I've only ridden the part from Santa Barbara Canyon Rd to Santa Barbara.  It's frickin' H O T back there in the summer.  The white(ish) rocks/sand reflect the heat right back into your face and a lot of the Big Pine and Cameusa fireroad is exposed.  If you can tolerate heat, then you just have to worry about water.  Chokecherry spring and Bluff Camp springs are year round sources, especially after our good rains.  There "should" be water in San Ynez River at Mono camp if you go in June/July.  Check http://www.hikelospadres.com/ before you go to make sure the springs and streams are flowing.  Have fun!   

[RunRig]

Thanks, Tim, I didn't know about that link...useful info if reports are recent. That said, the latest report for Mono camp (2017-02-25) says that the camp is filled with silt/mud/ash from the creek overflowing, and there are no tables or firepits. Anyone know if this is still the case? Also says that Little Caliente is filled with stones and mud, and flowing cold. I was looking forward to this part on the Tour route...I am still going though

[TimWilder]

I haven't checked out Mono camp, but we did do a trip to Big Calente 2 weekends ago and we talked with the Ranger back there.  Both Hot Springs are non-operational and filled in with silt.    :thumbsdown:

[ec_duz_it]

Sign up is up and running: 

http://trackleaders.com/lospadres-signup

I went to Big Caliente Hot Springs in January and the first spring was nice.  The two in the creek were broken due to a broken pipe, but I thought my friend Ted fixed it.  But I guess he did not.  This was before the monster storm in February. 

[TimWilder]

It was the big storm on Friday that killed the springs.  :-(
For the SPOT rentals, it says we can pick them up from the event organizer.  Are we going to be able to get these from you on or before April 8th when we head out?

[ec_duz_it]

I think they will send them to you, but if Trackleaders wants to send them to me that is fine. I can meet up with you guys and give them to you since you live in SB right?

[TimWilder]

SB?!?!?!  Everything south of Patterson is SOOOOO LA!  I live in the Goodland!   
Thanks Erin!

[ec_duz_it]

Photos from a friend from last weekend at the Carrizo Plain National Monument.  The wildflowers are not quite peaking yet, but they are just starting to come on.  Late March to mid/late April this year should be the best wildflower displays for the Carrizo Plain since 2010.   

[roadhouse]

Sad to be missing the official TDLP this year but let me derail a little

I'm heading down to Socal next week to take some time off and ride before heading out to do AZT 300 and figured that I would try and do an ITT of at least some part of the tour route on the way as a shakedown for arizona. My question for those of you whom have done this route or are familiar with the area is this..

If you had a day or two on this route from Fraizer Park where you had to return (car is there) would you shoot for the full, or are there other options (perhaps cutting north onto the long course and back through cuyama) that would you would recommend. If I commit to the full I can get a ride back from to the car and take the train or bus into LA, but of course would rather have the extra time to hang with friends and such. Really trying not to be in a hurry, at least when not on the bike.

Thanks and looking forward to all of this!

Cheers!
E

[ec_duz_it]

You could use Bates Canyon Road,  Soda Lake Road or Aliso Trail (I hear this trail is not in great shape right now, but might be ok downhill) to create some sort of loop using the long and the short courses.  Or you could do the Ojai Rim Loop or the Front to Back Country Loop if you are looking for a pure loop--tourdelospadres.weebly.com/other-bikepacking-routes.html

Gregg D. just did a loop in the Ojai and SB backcountry.  Maybe he has a trip report and route he can share.   

[greggd]

Hey there. I just did a 2 day, 1 night in the Ojai and SB backcountry and had a blast. I started in Ventura, climbed up and over Ojai, down to Rose valley, went up the 33, over to camp at Potrero Seco, then south to Matilija, west to Romero, Down Romero to Carpinteria, then back to Ventura. 

Lots of water, green, and flowers. I have attached a link to a GPX of my route.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hjqs8sgsylt0ya6/Ojai%20%26%20SB%20Backcountry%20Loop.GPX?dl=0

[roadhouse]

You guys are awesome!!! Thanks so much for the insight and advice. 2 day 1 night is the kind of jam I'm looking for so I'll take a look at all this and try and get something together. Definitely will snap some pics and post an update before shoving off for AZ to help up the recon and stoke factor!

[sportsmd]

Hello-
I've been recently following the 2017 thread and am seriously contemplating participating. Would be coming from Idaho so I am totally unfamiliar with the area. I have a Garmin 35T. Just curious if the course is otherwise tough to follow. I have been in circumstances with using the Garmin where having a consolidated GPX file and/or riding in a deep forested valley, the tracks have gone array which isn't a problem if you are familiar with the trails but quite concerning/anxiety provoking (at least for me) if you are not.
I also tried to download the file from the site and was unsuccessful...I will admit that I am not the most computer savvy...Thanks and am excited to hopefully join...

[TimWilder]

DUDE!  This is our first year doing the trip and it looks amazing!  My buddies and I Google Mapped/Earth ed the trail and it's pretty easy to follow.  The signs in the SB backcountry are good too.  I've attached GPS and google Earth KLM files

[TimWilder]

Here's the KLM file (for google Earth)...

[roadhouse]

Looks like things are all coming together.... I have a buddy that has agreed to give me a ride back to Frazier park next tuesday, so looks like I'm in for a monday ITT of the tour course. Regardless of how things are going I'll be camping on the ridge somewhere since I wanna test new lights and sleep setup. Can't wait to get out there! Let me know if theres anything you guys want me to keep an eye out for..... lots of advisories on the los padres ranger page.

Thanks Tim for the KLM files!

[RunRig]

Eric, I'm curious about the state of the last few campgrounds (if you happen to notice)...as I said above, the last report for Mono says it is covered with 3-4 (feet?) of mud. I know at your pace you probably won't be staying around there, but I'm wondering whether to aim for the couple of camps before that or after that if Mono is still out. Have a great ride!

[roadhouse]

Hey RunRig - I'm going to try and setup before then, most likely at big pine to have water, cell reception, and a full night of sleep. I know I'm going to be tired from the drive & all the riding.. I'll try and have updates on all the camps that are close to the trail for you guys. The carnage at mono looks pretty severe so hopefully they have started working on clearing it out by now.