I took another trip now that the forest has dried out from our Monsoon Rains a little. I went back to Oak Flats ( part of an 85 mile trial system) a tried several of the popular trails starting with one called Mahogany. Not that there is such wood here, just a name the Rangers gave it decades ago.
It starts at 7,500 feet ASL and goes up to 9,000 feet ASL and has just about every terrain you could ask for. Nice "smooth" pine needle trail,to loose gravel, to rocks then boulders and a vertical 24" rock shelf that you cannot drive around. You either jump it ( not in a Baja your not) or carry the bike over the shelf,which I had to do.
There is even two mud bogs just for giggles.
With several other trails intersecting Mahogany Trail you can really get in some miles in the forest.
Here is the nice start. It's 0730 and about 55 degrees F. A nice pine needle and dirt trail
As you start to climb, the trees are a little closer together in places and the killer tree roots start to sprout up keeping one on his toes.
And of course, the inevitable rocks are in bloom as well.
The trail starts to wind through the pine trees which is fun. The smell of the trees is really very nice.
As you climb higher the rocks become boulders and there are always many more out-cropping s of them.
The trail then meanders through the forest going up and down rises. Within 100 yards the scenery can change dramatically.
The trail can become quite fun to navigate with these guys popping up just when you get comfortable riding.
It was about this time I noticed that the front end felt a little "mushy" so I stopped at one of the trail markers just to find the spring tension-er had back completely off of the threaded shaft. I got it back to normal for my body weight, and continued down the trail.
This portion of the trail weaved in and out of the trees. It was fun to kick-it-up to about 20 MPH and do the gambit.
and as you climbed higher yet, more loose rocks. The Baja really does a very nice job of going through these patches of loose rocks. It is rare to get any rear well slippage.
And then you come to the 24" shelf. As you can see you cannot drive around on either side. And the slope is quite steep,the camera does not do this shelf justice.
I did pick the bikes frame up and over the rocks.
And jusy after the shelf, 1/4 mile of this to play with. The ride really is much better at 4 PSI tire pressure even than 5 PSI pressure. There is a little bit of sidewall roll on steep banks but if your aware of it, its no big deal.
Back into the trees and coconut sized loose rocks to keep you busy.
Which turns into this. I an so glad I have both tires flat-proofed.
And just after that is a closed and locked gate. The trail ends for this half of the trail. But the trail goes in the other direction for a long way. This used to be the start of the trail but is not closed and no parking is allowed, so you end up starting 1/3 the way West of this gate. The good news is the Rangers have cut some fun trails to get you back to the starting point, and then continue on the Mahogany Trail even father west.
It starts at 7,500 feet ASL and goes up to 9,000 feet ASL and has just about every terrain you could ask for. Nice "smooth" pine needle trail,to loose gravel, to rocks then boulders and a vertical 24" rock shelf that you cannot drive around. You either jump it ( not in a Baja your not) or carry the bike over the shelf,which I had to do.
There is even two mud bogs just for giggles.
With several other trails intersecting Mahogany Trail you can really get in some miles in the forest.
Here is the nice start. It's 0730 and about 55 degrees F. A nice pine needle and dirt trail
As you start to climb, the trees are a little closer together in places and the killer tree roots start to sprout up keeping one on his toes.
And of course, the inevitable rocks are in bloom as well.
The trail starts to wind through the pine trees which is fun. The smell of the trees is really very nice.
As you climb higher the rocks become boulders and there are always many more out-cropping s of them.
The trail then meanders through the forest going up and down rises. Within 100 yards the scenery can change dramatically.
The trail can become quite fun to navigate with these guys popping up just when you get comfortable riding.
It was about this time I noticed that the front end felt a little "mushy" so I stopped at one of the trail markers just to find the spring tension-er had back completely off of the threaded shaft. I got it back to normal for my body weight, and continued down the trail.
This portion of the trail weaved in and out of the trees. It was fun to kick-it-up to about 20 MPH and do the gambit.
and as you climbed higher yet, more loose rocks. The Baja really does a very nice job of going through these patches of loose rocks. It is rare to get any rear well slippage.
And then you come to the 24" shelf. As you can see you cannot drive around on either side. And the slope is quite steep,the camera does not do this shelf justice.
I did pick the bikes frame up and over the rocks.
And jusy after the shelf, 1/4 mile of this to play with. The ride really is much better at 4 PSI tire pressure even than 5 PSI pressure. There is a little bit of sidewall roll on steep banks but if your aware of it, its no big deal.
Back into the trees and coconut sized loose rocks to keep you busy.
Which turns into this. I an so glad I have both tires flat-proofed.
And just after that is a closed and locked gate. The trail ends for this half of the trail. But the trail goes in the other direction for a long way. This used to be the start of the trail but is not closed and no parking is allowed, so you end up starting 1/3 the way West of this gate. The good news is the Rangers have cut some fun trails to get you back to the starting point, and then continue on the Mahogany Trail even father west.