Southern California Mountain Bikers

December 5, 2009 8:00 AM - 4 attended

Cannell trail, Kernville shuttle.

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52 photos of this Meetup

Uploaded by: Paul Sylvester

December 5. Meetup time 8:00 AM Cost $36.05 - you pay the shuttle master on-site

Anyone wanting to do the epic Cannell ride out of Kernville is invited this Saturday. The ride is over 25 miles with the famous Plunge at the end (5000 vert in 8 miles). This is a shuttle. Currently there are not enough people signed up to do the commercial shuttle so the operator is going to supply a driver and we will use my car which can hold 4 bikes. If we get 5 people they will use their van and trailer. Cost of the shuttle either way is $36.05. The ride to the top at 9,200 ft takes about 1.25 hours from Kernville. Ride down 4-7 hours. Not a ride for a beginner or someone grossly out of shape. On the other hand I'm 63 and have done it in about 5 hours 5 weekends in a row.

The meet up place is in Kernville at Mountain River Adventures in the center of town. They like to leave at 8:30 especially with the shorter days. Check-in time at 8:00. The ride from the top should start about 9:30 with a finishing time between 2:30 to 4 depending on the speed of the group. There is a lot of downhill but it should be ranked as a cross country ride because there is climbing. Do not bring a downhill bike. There are some rough sections that make 5+ inches of travel appreciated. I have been doing it on a Foes Inferno that weighs 33 lbs and has 7 inches of travel. I also do it on a Fly that weighs 38 lbs and has 8 inches of travel.
From La Verne (210 fwy and 57 fwy) it is a 3 hour drive to Kernville via the 5 through Bakersfied or the other way up 15 to 395 and over Walker Pass by Inyokern. Good news is you are home relatively early to catch up on the sleep you missed in the morning. If we have a small group we should carpool.
Directions: Interstate 5 to Bakersfield, 178 east to 155 north to Kernville and Mountain River Adventures (just before the bridge over the Kern River on the north side of the street).
Alternate route: Interstate 15 toward Las Vegas to 395 north to Hwy 178 in Inyokern. Left on 178 to Hwy 14 and left again. Take Hwy 178 right toward Lake Isabella at Freeman Junction. Turn right on Sierra Way and follow it to Kernville. Turn left on Burlendo Rd toward the town center. Cross the bridge over the Kern and meet at Mountain River Adventures on the north side of the street. Overall distance about 200 miles from La Verne either way.
You could also come up the 14 to 178 but it took me 20 minutes longer when I did it.

Paul Sylvester,
Mobile: [masked]

Chris Ashford
Paul is the lead on this event. If you have any questions drop him a line or hit up his cell at the bottom of the event.

Posted December 1, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Paul Sylvester
This probably it for the rest of the winter? Snow is predicted for Sunday into next week. Sunny and warm through Saturday.

Posted December 2, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Paul Sylvester
So far the plan is to go up early Saturday morning. I'd love to go Friday night but can't leave my dog.

Posted December 3, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Paul Sylvester
We now have two places to meet and carpool to Kernville. La Tuna Canyon at 4:30 and Hwy 14 at the San Fernando Rd. Park and Ride at 5 AM. We still have room and the shuttle is confirmed. It is not too late to join us for this epic ride.

Posted December 4, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Paul Sylvester
Although there were only 3 of use the ride was awesome. A bit of snow made the climbs up high a bit harder but the descents generally face south and the snow was not a problem. This is it for the season on this trail. Heavy snow should blanket the area this week and the bear we shared the trail with will probably go to sleep for the winter (we didn't actually see him)?

Posted December 7, 2009 at 10:34 AM
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4 attended

5.001 (1 ratings)

Paul Sylvester

As always the Cannell Trail provided not only a bike ride but an adventure as well. There was some snow on the ground from the previous weekend which made the up hill sections a bit more difficult. However, most of the downs face south and what snow remained was no problem getting through. The weather was clear and cold and when not in the sun one did not want to stand around. The Plunge was fairly fast and a true joy. Today's storm will no doubt close Cannell for the rest of the winter and into spring. Check out the photos on the website and do plan to come next time.
Charles
A former member