Author |
Message |
Al_lighton
| Posted on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 11:58 pm: |
|
Another fabulous Montecito Oktoberfast. Great roads, weather, friends, accomodations...beer.....couldn't have asked for anything more. We had such a great two day ride up to Sequoias and one day ride back, we only did the morning ride into Kings Canyon on Saturday. We did all the cool roads of the Oktoberfast/All Cali Brag events on the way up, and even added some dirt sections for the Uly Boyz (and Eric on the S3). We did Sherman Pass road over to 395 on the return trip, and that was spectacular. As expected, Eric took some great pictures that I can't wait to see here. Brett, we didn't mean to send you down the dirty forest route...BTW, can you go test out the Ridge Route for us next? What a blast.. Al |
Reindog
| Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 04:03 am: |
|
Boy, we sure dodged a bullet! This is the current Sequoia National Park reading on weather.com: Rain / Snow Rain / Snow High 53° F Precip: 100% Rain and snow in the morning changing to all rain in the afternoon. High 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. (Message edited by reindog on October 14, 2009) |
Lady_asb
| Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 06:22 pm: |
|
Wow, what a weekend… wish it was longer (although that weather reading sure doesn’t make me want to be up there right now). Denise and Jerry – we thought of you often, as well as some other folks that couldn’t make it . But somehow we persevered and managed to have a good time. Met some new folks, saw some old friends, enjoyed absolutely perfect weather, excellent accommodations and food, and beautiful surroundings. Zach and Al even managed to fit in a few rounds of riflery and canoeing. This guy has a nice overview of the lodge: http://www.travel-watch.com/montecito_sequoia.htm I looked up the snowshoeing and cross-country skiing Big Baldy trail that Jen, Debbie and I hiked Saturday morning that joins the Pacific Crest trail. http://nmviewogc.cr.usgs.gov/viewer.htm?CenterPoin t=36.693889,-118.918889&Scale=CITY&Classes=OTHER%2 0IMAGERY . See the lake? That’s at the Lodge. And the nearby peak is about 450’ up from that. We saw the Redwood Mountain Grove from above, which is the largest group of Sequoias in the world. Magnificent views of the valley, but a bit of a hike up at the beginning… One description that I read said: The Alternate Trail Assuming that you choose the luxury option of staying in the US Forest Service's Montecito-Sequoia Lodge (see camping), you may choose to take the "more difficult" but shorter route to the top. This trail begins at the MS Lodge -- simply proceed past the archery range and join the dirt road. Follow the dirt road up the ridge line until you see a sign which indicates "Baldy Ridge" to the right. I can vouch for the “more difficult” comment… Almost to the ridge, I suddenly felt the effects of the altitude. And while Reindog didn’t hurl (at least to my knowledge), there certainly was hurlage this time... Can I blame it on the altitude, not the margaritas? Despite that, I really enjoyed the hike. There was a 800 acre prescribed burn on one side of the trail (Kings Canyon National Park) in July, but not on the other (Sequoia National Forest) – I think “the Dude” said it was the first in more than 40 years. It was interesting to see the changes – the manzanitas already had shoots coming up. BIG THANKS to Cheryl (amazing patience!), Eric (the best photographer I know), the staff at the Lodge, and to ALL the participants for making it such a special weekend!!! Joanne |
Bertman
| Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 02:53 am: |
|
The start of the journey with the pack mule 1125R all ready to go.
After taking my sweet time working my way over east of Bakersfield, I finally get to the Lake Isabella area. I head north out of Kernville when all of a sudden I get transported back in time with the sight of Johnny Mcnally's Fairview Lodge. It looks like something out of Mayberry, but being 15 miles north of Kernville with nothing else around, this is a happening joint for a Thursday night!
After a couple drinks and the arrival of Al, Tom, Eric, and Terminator, things started to get some color back in them again. Mcnally's is evidently the place to go around here for a good dinner, and it did a very nice job at that. Things looked more normal on Friday mourning. Hey, who brought the rice rocket?
The Hurl Bridge?
And Scott's latest ride. Just where does he think we are going to go? I wish I had that bike the next day.
|
Usroute66
| Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 05:50 pm: |
|
Thanks Brett! Nice photos. As usual, great seeing and riding with ya. Scott |
Stevie
| Posted on Friday, October 23, 2009 - 07:37 pm: |
|
Is there going to be a group at Laguna Seca for the Grand Prix. Same Place?Tickets went on sale 10-21-09. Last time Kris and I (Steve) camped at the Archery grounds, it was nice. |
Ebear
| Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 09:42 am: |
|
Yes Steve.....for the ongoing future there will be a presence at Laguna.This year however there will be fewer tent spots since we'll have 2 Motorhomes there.The People whom attend the SCAB meetings will have first choice on sites and soon we will be posting an RSVP list. |
|