My buns of steel felt like marshmallows while my legs consisted of rubber. All due to a cold I was fighting. The sun felt good all through my bones. The towers of Los Angeles visible in the distance. The islands in the reservoir more exposed than last week. The long range weather forecast may include drizzle next week. Good to enjoy the vistas in the warmth of October.
The hunters get my appreciation tonight. At the first saddle there was a dark image sitting on the wall. It was Diego in camouflage and dark face paint. He asked if I had a flat. Nope just throwing on knee warmers and jacket before the descent. I chatted with him and he had praise for Matthew. He's a great guy. I chuckled. If you took a poll of the people - hunters, cyclists, motorcyclists, runners, etc. on GMR 85-92% know Matt.
That was only the first positive. The second positive was a Suburban pulled up and two hunters asked if I was ok. I appreciated their concern with the dark enshrouding the road quickly.
Comments Welcomed
The executive summary, full report, and link to the NPS online public comment system are available at the study web site: http://www.nps.gov/pwro/sangabriel/index.htm.
If you requested a copy of the full study report or a CD ROM, they will be mailed to by the end of October. A Spanish version of the executive summary will soon be available on the web site as well.
Comments on the draft study report must be submitted by December 16, 2011. Your continued involvement will assist the National Park Service in determining which alternative to recommend as the most effective and efficient in protecting significant resources and providing for visitor enjoyment in the study area. Please note that our offices moved from Oakland to San Francisco in August 2011. All written comments should be submitted to our new address:
National Park Service - Planning and Environmental Compliance
San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains Special Resource Study
333 Bush Street, Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94104
Public Meetings
The NPS will host a series of public meetings throughout the study area in October and November 2011 in order to present the draft study report, answer questions, and accept comments. The first public meeting, October 29th in El Monte, will serve as the kick-off meeting for the public review period. The NPS will present the study findings and alternatives and answer questions about the draft study. There will also be opportunities to provide comments.
Public meeting locations and times include:
El Monte (Kick-Off Meeting)
Saturday, October 29
1pm - 3 pm
City of El Monte Senior Center
3120 N. Tyler Avenue
El Monte, CA 91731
Palmdale
Monday, November 14
7pm - 9pm
Larry Chimbole Cultural Center,
Joshua Room
38350 Sierra Highway
Palmdale, CA 93550
Pomona
Tuesday, November 15th
7pm - 9pm
Agriscapes Center, California Polytechnic Institute Campus
4102 S. University Drive (South of Temple Avenue)
(From Highway 57, Exit Temple Avenue and go West towards Cal Poly Pomona. Turn left on South Campus Drive, Agriscapes is the building adjacent to the Farm Store).
Pomona, CA 91768
Santa Clarita
Wednesday, November 16th
7pm - 9pm
George A. Caravalho Activities Center
Santa Clarita Room A
20880 Centre Point Parkway
Santa Clarita, CA 91351
Tujunga
Thursday, November 17th
7pm - 9pm
Northeast Valley City Hall Auditorium
7747 Foothill Blvd
Tujunga, CA 91042
Thank you for your interest in the National Park Service's San San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains Special Resource Study.
Sincerely
NPS Study Team
The Mount Baldy Lodge Store saves souls every day with delicious refreshing, thirst quenching, ice chilled drinks and munchables. Spencer and Graham this one is for you!
Strong ride to Baldy Saturday. The mountains were clear while the valley remained under a marine layer. The temperature mildly warm starting in the 60s warming to the 80s. Not overly hot. Provisioned two water bottles plus one more with Heed. Started at 7:30 am and left Bill around the Dalton Hot Shots Forest Ranger Station. It was a solo ride to the shed with a few folks passing me by on the way up. In the no man's land between first saddle and Newman's Point, one rider inspired the legs to kick it up a notch. During the last ascent to the shed that 8% climb of a few hundred feet another rider went by and I hung on, I should have passed, but didn't want to burn that match quite yet. Plenty of miles to go. It was a lively pace to end the first leg of the trip. I wanted a quick break. Eat a bar, slurp up some water. Watch a few arrivees. Just as I wanted to leave, I was asked to take a picture with a cell phone. I acquiesced. The fellow was happy. Matt showed up needing a break to catch his breath.
The shed represents ~25% of the journey or 10 miles out of 46. The next twelve miles on Glendora Ridge Road are four miles of rolling hills with four "peaks" the fourth peak being the point of no return. A steep descent to Peacock Saddle and then the start of 3.3 miles of the Reward Climb, with the next three miles of the alpine section of rolling ascents. The final mile is a steep descent into the village. Remember what goes up must go down. Easy to descend, Killer to climb back up. I made a record time from garage door to the Baldy Stop Sign of 3 hours 14 minutes. I had motivators on the GRR section. One hunter's Dodge RAM 2500 had a nasty smell to its exhaust, and it was meandering up the road, stopping multiple times. I wanted to be ahead of that tank as much as possible. I rode as fast I as could. The GRR leg was 1:25 for 12 miles at altitude. In the Alpine section taking pictures of the autumn colors Rick caught us and rode with us to the Village.
I bought a deliciously cold Red Powerade at the Mt Baldy Lodge Store and peanuts. Spencer and Graham cajoled me about not featuring the store on my blog. I snapped their picture in front of the store. Filled one water bottle at the Post Office. Headed back. Time in the Village 28 minutes. Reverse the course took just under 2 hours. Rick parted company in the alpine section. Matt raced home after the climb back up to the point of no return. Total time was 5:40. Total Distance 46.1 miles. Ascent 5200 feet. Saw a few folks in passing Shawn of broccoli fame, Jason of Everest Challenge, and Group Beanz. I was on the clock to get done. Last week was a week for chatting. This Saturday was a day for riding.
Strong Ride to Baldy. Even though I had a flu shot. Tightening the core muscles helps with the knee.
