Southern California - Horseshoe Meadows Friday 7/20

I'm meeting a group in Lone Pine to climb up to Horseshoe Meadows. This is one that has been on my wanna do list for some time. I guess it's a 25 mile climb and I've heard different stories on the grade. The last report was average 8% with some 12%. I'm not sure but I think this is one of the climbs on the Everest Challenge. I'm planning to stay the weekend and do a couple of other climbs that I have been wanting to do, namely Rock Creek , and Bristle Cone Pines. The guy putting on the ride says all are welcome as he will provide some supplys, but only serious riders need apply.:) We plan to leave at sun up from the Best Western Motel at the south end of town and it's a 3 hour drive from the Valley but I think it will be worth it. jpconrad posted a pic of the road during the Eastern Sierra threads that showed an awesome road zigzaging up the side of the mountain. I gotta do that .

It's gonna be warm so start early.

I wish I could go, but I'll have to wait until next time.

It's gonna be warm so start early.

I wish I could go, but I'll have to wait until next time.Jon, any chance you could post that pic that you sent me of Horseshoe?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1190/529090091_d7f43f3c8a_b.jpg

Thanks Jon, now I don't want to go.:eek:

This will be a great trainer for the Everest Challenge. The more the better.

dude. that climb is ridiculous. it's not really ever too steep as I remember. (if it averaged 8% it wouldn't be 20 mi long!) it's just long. REALLY, REALLY long. Those first switchbacks are each over a mile. Near the top you crest a ridge, and have an easy cruise to the Horseshoe Meadows campground/trailhead area. It's an anticlimactic end to an epic climb. The view before you go over the ridge is pretty crazy though. The road's in pretty bad shape, so don't expect a smooth ride down!

See if you can make it up to whitney portal after you climb horseshoe (horseshoe meadows branches off from whitney portal rd. I was originally planning to do that when I climbed it, but I was toast by that point. And definitely hit up the Bristlecone Pines...it's not quite as dramatic as winding your way up those switchbacks, but it's a prettier climb, and has a much better descent.

dude. that climb is ridiculous. it's not really ever too steep as I remember. (if it averaged 8% it wouldn't be 20 mi long!) it's just long. REALLY, REALLY long. Those first switchbacks are each over a mile. Near the top you crest a ridge, and have an easy cruise to the Horseshoe Meadows campground/trailhead area. It's an anticlimactic end to an epic climb. The view before you go over the ridge is pretty crazy though. The road's in pretty bad shape, so don't expect a smooth ride down!

See if you can make it up to whitney portal after you climb horseshoe (horseshoe meadows branches off from whitney portal rd. I was originally planning to do that when I climbed it, but I was toast by that point. And definitely hit up the Bristlecone Pines...it's not quite as dramatic as winding your way up those switchbacks, but it's a prettier climb, and has a much better descent.Thanks Dude;). Why don't you ride up from San Diego and do it with us.:D

heh. I'll be spending the weekend at the velodrome, gaining approximately 0 ft.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1190/529090091_d7f43f3c8a_b.jpg Been there, done that. I can say that now. Wow that is a hell of a climb. I highly reccomend this mountain to everyone. The switchbacks are actually the easier section, once around the back side of the mountain it gets pretty steep and ends at 10,000. feet. The climb to Horseshoe Meadows was 6500 ft over 22.5 miles and we did part of Whitney Portal to finish with about 9000 for the day. It was a 16,000ft. weekend, I loved it. Saturday I rode to Reds Meadows in Mammoth, a wonderful place with a steep climb coming out.Great weather in Mammoth and just a beautiful weekend. I'll be going back to do some of the other climbs up there, South Lake, Pine Creek, Bristlecone Pine Forest, etc. The San Gabriels may not seem the same now.:o

:rolleyes:Where is the shade? :p Glad you enjoyed, VB, but I imagine any mountain that takes you up higher than you've been before in a shorter distance is going to have its appeal. ;)

:rolleyes:Where is the shade? :p Glad you enjoyed, VB, but I imagine any mountain that takes you up higher than you've been before in a shorter distance is going to have its appeal. ;)No shade till close to the top at the campgrounds but it's wasn't hot. We started at 6am from the hotel, I stayed in the Dale Evans Room, and were up high before it got hot. It never gets hot at 10,000ft. The climb up to Whitney Portal was hot but I just went as high as I could[6500] then decended back to the hotel pool. Plenty of shade in Mammoth, Reds Meadows is a deep dark forest. Wonderful.

Wow , that sounds amazing. I love that part of the world.

Perhaps Bob should plan another outing on a Saturday. I'd do it. :D

Perhaps Bob should plan another outing on a Saturday. I'd do it. :DWe were talking about going back even before we left, soon.

There was water up at the campground, right?

Perhaps Bob should plan another outing on a Saturday. I'd do it. :D

I'll do it too. September maybe?

Hey Bob, how long did it take to climb to the top?

I'll do it too. September maybe?

September would work. But Bob has to plan it. :D

But you are the big planner around here. One word from you and 50 people show up.

But you are the big planner around here. One word from you and 50 people show up.

Oh, I'm not the main event, my dear. It's that little ol' mountain (Baldy) that draws the crowd. ;) But I'd be happy to help plan this. But Bob has to give me details. :D

Nice job! That climb is wicked.

Hey Bob, how long did it take to climb to the top?I got up there in about 4 hrs so you figure my average speed:o We stopped several times, a couple for supplys and some just to rest. I don't know if there is water at the campground. We had sag and I wouldn't want to do it without. That was a hard climb, much harder and higher than 39 to A.C. but I would do it again, it was wonderful.:D