MudNCrud Forums
Out'n about... just not Climbing => Biking => Topic started by: Skyline35 on March 23, 2014, 08:20:54 AM
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(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/13355334964_7875cd0726_o.jpg)
This is my first visit to Pacheco State Park situated on Highway 152 at Pacheo Pass. Conditions were prime. Green grass, wildflowers, and perfect weather:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/13355127843_90377fa029_o.jpg)
We started with the Dinosaur Lake Trail (more or less):
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/13355023885_007e796106_o.jpg)
Pesky cattle fences:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/13355421834_296155863a_o.jpg)
Paul seen through his bike:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/13355016735_6c996b431c_o.jpg)
A good portion of the park is a wind turbine farm. We checked out a few of the nearest:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/13355011895_f9447b9a0a_o.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/13355401424_d4ee0f6e46_o.jpg)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/13355152033_9be5edd041_o.jpg)
Eric checks to see if it's hot:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/13355400264_730235763f_o.jpg)
Dinosaur Lake Trail:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/13354998235_22c84253ab_o.jpg)
Tom and Paul at Diamond Lake:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/13355142873_9c2e9d5b49_o.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/13354988785_3637b7e378_o.jpg)
Another first for me was seeing some Tule Elk:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/13355375304_8a50d28392_o.jpg)
Even at this distance they were very aware of us and retreated.
Lunch at the highest point in the park, Spike's Peak:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/13355368704_4045512e1e_o.jpg)
Paul on Canyon Loop West
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/13355363374_3160d574f4_o.jpg)
The trail fizzled out, where to go?:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/13355358324_e32ec9401f_o.jpg)
We picked the steep Up & Over Trail:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/13355109993_d46303ec4c_o.jpg)
In the background is San Luis Reservoir and the wind turbines.
We reached the top at about 3pm and descended Shadow Spring Ridge Trail & Nun Lake Trail. I began to have difficulties. On Shadow Ridge Trail, I ran out of front brake pads, and riding to Nun Lake, I fell in a dry creek-crossing bending my rear derailleur.
Nun Lake:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/13355348224_ef1e477463_o.jpg)
I had to nurse the bike the rest of the way from here, but it was only 4 miles back to the parking lot and not much climbing. By going 3 X 1 with the gears and only using my rear brake, I rode most of it.
The rear rear derailleur is bent about a half-inch to the left:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/13355096673_b2fe1a580e_o.jpg)
(Adding a little follow-up: fixing my bike was easy, just needed to straighten the derailleur mount (hanger). I had a spare in my Camelbak and if that had occurred earlier in the day, I would have swapped it out.)
Some old ranch stuff near the main parking area:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/13354950995_9bbaff1414_o.jpg)
Start at main parking lot » Spike's Peak Road » Dinosaur Lake Trail » Windmill Road » Dinosaur Lake Trail » Canyon Loop East » South Boundary Loop » Diamond Lake Trail » Spike's Peak » Diamond Lake Trail (alternative) » South Boundary Loop » Spike's Peak » Spike's Peak Road » Tunnel Monument Trail » Canyon Loop West » Up & Over Trail » Spike's Peak Road » Shadow Spring Ridge Trail » Nun Lake Trail » Whiskey Flat Trail » Main parking lot. 20.90/3:46/5:41/3,850'
Pacheco State Park:
(http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/wxStationGraphAll?day=22&year=2014&month=3&ID=MSLRC1&type=3&width=800&showsolarradiation=0&showtemp=1&showpressure=0&showwind=1&showwinddir=0&showrain=0)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/13355169593_be37f92aa0_o.jpg)
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looks cool.
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Looks pleasantly warm to me. Thanks for sharing the fun we missed. Can't wait for Mr. Mud to recover! Many nice photos.