Mountain Biking - Bikepackin' Pics

Here are a few photos of my short and quick overnight bikepacking trek from this weekend. I spent the night at a local campground in the San Gabriel Mountains which is just minutes north of Los Angeles. Like few other campgrounds in these local mountains, this campground is accessible to the public only by foot or by bike via a fire road/trail. Although it is a very popular spot to hike to, this campground is hardly ever crowded due to the steep climb getting there. The average camper does not want to haul camping gear.

The grind up the fire road...

The row of pine trees up at the very top is where the campground is located...

About half way up.... Down below is Altadena and parts of Pasadena.
BTW, according to a local mtb trails book, this trail is considered to have the 'steepest sustained climb in So Cal'. I don't doubt that.

Not bad for a no fee campground. Plenty of fire wood is provided by the rangers. Of the 20 or so sites available, only three were occupied this evening....... I'm up here and my wife visiting friends in Palm Springs. Can't get any better than that....

Next morning... sipping some coffee and enjoying the scenery...

Very sweet, I love that morning photo. I'm to go for a bike trip for a couple days to our Gulf Islands :D .

Thanks for the photo's, never been to that part of the U.S, looks soo nice.

Cheers>jef.

The row of pine trees up at the top is where the campground is located...

I couldn't help but notice that you have your bike crancked down to the Granny gear. What a wimp! Can't tow a trailer up that hill?

Seriously... I'm just kidding. That's an INCREDIBLE climb, with or without a trailer.

Where is the trailhead for that climb?. I lived in Pasadena for a while, so I know the area quite well. Awesome pics!

Great photos! I definately see bike camping in my future (I hope), as soon as my son is old enough to come out of the Burley and pedal on his own.

The BOB looks killer...how does it perform on the downhill, and how heavy was the load? Are you a lightweight camper, or did you bring the 'kitchen sink'?

Ummm...that bike isn't a fixie ;)...

Nice ride, would love to someday be in the condition to do that kind of ride :)

Where is the trailhead for that climb?. I lived in Pasadena for a while, so I know the area quite well. Awesome pics!
This is the Mt. Wilson toll road trail, and as you know continues on for another 6 miles or so to reach Mt. Wilson at 7,000 ft. The trailhead is just off of Pinecrest, off Altadena Drive.

Wow nice pics!

While flying into San Diego would I see these trails? They look very similar to what I saw while in the air. Too bad I never got to ride while I was on the West Coast :'(

The BOB looks killer...how does it perform on the downhill, and how heavy was the load? Are you a lightweight camper, or did you bring the 'kitchen sink'?

This was the first time I took the BOB out off-road. Due to the steepness of certain sections of the climb, the front wheel was barely tracking. Next time I definitely need to weigh down my front end. This would have been true with either the BOB or rear panniers. I'm carrying rear panniers instead of the BOB on my next trip up to feel the difference.
I thought the bike and trailer handled reasonably well downhill. But this was the only time I wished I had stronger rear brakes than the V-brake.
Yes, I brought the 'kitchen sink' on this trip as I wanted to enjoy 4 fully cooked meals including a bottle of wine. Panniers will definitely force me to carry at least 10 lbs less next time...... which is good.

wow ..........that is so great ..................I want a trailer!

ive wanted a trailer for so long, but now i dont even have a bike to put one on (downhill and "jib" bikes). maybe someday i could do a ride like that if i get a xc bike and trailer. awesome pictures fixer, im so jealous of you.

dude....mad props for pushing yourself up that climb bro...thats giant..

Great pics and an awesome ride. Thanks for sharing, Fixer. I plan on doing some bikepacking myself in the near future.