Southern California Mountain Bikers

July 10, 2010 8:00 AM - 7 attended

Weekend Duo, Cannell Trail and Just Outstanding

Cannell Trail (map)

Selected By: Paul Sylvester

52 photos of this Meetup

Uploaded by: Paul Sylvester, Michael Kim

June 29, now OPEN from the top!!!! smile smile Don't wait to book, seats will go fast. The Cannell Trail is one of those epic trails you read about. The plan will be to do Cannell Saturday Just Outstanding Sunday if there is interest? Our shuttle will be via a commercial operator in Kernville or a self shuttle for those that want to. Cannell Saturday is $40. All shuttle reservations must be prepaid and once they fill at 26 it's closed. A self shuttle will take about 3 hours up and back. The main objective is to do Cannell and for those that want to make this a 2 day trip do Just Outstanding the other day. Cannell is not for everyone. It is 24 miles long and does have some climbing at over 9000 ft elevation. The operator suggests a riding ability of advanced intermediate or above and you must be in good riding shape. There is no quick "bailout" on this ride. You must have something with you to eat and plenty of water. The first 16 miles starts at 9200 feet and continues up and down to 7500 ft., so it is not roasting hot. There is water at Big Meadows which is about 9 miles in. After that any water would have to be filtered. The ride will take 5-7 hours to complete. The shuttle ride to the top from Kernville takes about 1.5 hours (making going after a car after riding 5 hours not too appealing). The most famous part of this ride is the Plunge which drops 5000 ft in 8 miles (7500 ft elevation to 2500). As you descend this part of the trail it will gradually get quite hot. It's all single track some of which has exposure. Have a look in the photo albums for pictures from last fall of this ride. There are sections where the ground is quite soft. I've found a fairly big tire with big knobs is best (like riding Mammoth's pumice). There are rocky descents that make a bike with some good travel nice. There is too much climbing to bring a downhill bike. To find out more click here http://www.mtnriver.c... From there you will be able to see much more about this awesome ride including a video. Don't wait to sign up. Plan now and sign up for the shuttle now. I did this ride 8 times last fall and once in July 09. It just opened June 12. The picture is from June 20 at Big Meadows.

Just Outstanding is a 16 mile mostly single track descent that is suitable for more riding abilities, but probably not a novice? This ride also starts in the deep forest and ends up at the lake. This is a much shorter ride and can be self shuttled or with MRA for $25.75. It might be possible to do 2 runs depending on the speed of the group? For those of you that want to bring someone that may not be up for Cannell this might be a ride to do while you are doing Cannell?

There are camp sites, both private and public, and Motels in Kernville. You will probably need an advance reservation? Please let me know if you want to camp? If everyone wants to do only one day that is fine.

A former member
FYI: The shuttle info page is here: http://www.mtnriver.com/mountain_biking_shuttles.htm

Posted June 23, 2010 at 10:50 AM
A former member
OK I booked my spot for Cannell on Sat July 10th. Per Beth @ MRA, if you're serious about going on this trip, you need to book your spot now. As soon as they announce that the top shuttle is open, the shuttle WILL fill up. Call 800-861-6553 and ask for Beth. Tell her you're with Mark (3F) & Paul.

Posted June 23, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Paul Sylvester
Forgot to mention the drive up there. From La Verne (57 and 210 fwy) it takes me almost exactly 3 hours. If I go east 210 to I-15 north, 395 N to Inyokern and west on 178. Turn left on CA-14. Turn right on CA-178W Walker Pass Rd. Turn right at Sierra Way to Kernville and left at Burlando Rd/County Rd 495 to Mountain River Adventures just W. of the bridge, N side of the street.

Or take I-5 to 99 to Bakersfield to Ca-58 W/Ca-178 E. Follow CA-178 E/Rosedale Hwy. Left on CA-155 to Kernville.

Posted June 23, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Michael Whitehurst
Shuttle spot booked. I can't wait for this one!

Anyone up for sharing a camp site or splitting a hotel room on the Friday night?

Posted June 23, 2010 at 12:23 PM
A former member
SWEET Michael - I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. I can't afford a hotel, but can split a camp site.

Posted June 23, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Paul Sylvester
There are pay campgrounds at $18 on the Kern River. There are also free ones. For a list and map go to: http://www.kernvalley.com/news/kerncamp.htm

Posted June 23, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Michael Whitehurst
@mark: lets split a campsite then. Will email to organize.

Posted June 23, 2010 at 12:57 PM
A former member
I put up a sort of 'everything you need to know' page about this ride and the area here: http://www.3fbc.com/blogs/rides/southern-sierras/cannell-...

Posted June 24, 2010 at 6:06 PM
A former member
My water filter is totally busted. Can we all chip in on a new one? It's going to cost about $100.

Posted June 24, 2010 at 6:14 PM
Paul Sylvester
Water is available at Big Meadow from a natural spring that comes directly out of the mountain. I have never filtered this water without a problem. Filling up there gives you enough for the rest of the ride.

Posted June 26, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Michael Whitehurst
I will bring my filter for those of us that aren't as brave as Paul.

Posted June 27, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Paul Sylvester
The gate to the top of Sherman Pass is in fact open and has been since around the 18th. It is fully expected that by the 10th we will start from the top. I'll update as soon as I hear from MRA who I talk with every couple of days.

Posted June 28, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Michael Kim
Thanks Paul!

Posted June 28, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Paul Sylvester
Gary just go back and did it from the top. Sounds like the 10th is a shoe-in.

Posted June 28, 2010 at 4:40 PM
Paul Sylvester
It's official as of today. The Cannell shuttle will be from the top as of today with only a few snow patches remaining. Since the weekend it has warmed up a lot to the point where the river flow has increased 1000 gps. By the 10th they should be all but gone. Book now because MRA is sending an email to everyone of the opening and seats are expected to go fast. Anyone interested in this weekend let me know?

Posted June 29, 2010 at 3:35 PM
Robert Pavlich
I just booked a spot for cannell. They have 9 spots left on the shuttle. I have never done this ride before but it sounds awesome, can't wait.

Posted July 1, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Paul Sylvester
According to Robert who just booked there are only 9 spots left for the shuttle. Don't wait book now and tell them you are with Paul's group. 800 861-6553

Posted July 1, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Michael Kim
Just booked mine, so only 8 left. A local guy told me yesterday that there is a little bit of snow left at the top but could melt by the time we ride. Awesome!

Posted July 1, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Paul Sylvester
Chris Ashford and I did Cannell from the top last Saturday and it is spectacular. To those of you that are signed up please let me know if you plan to make it a 2 day affair and if you would like to do Just Outstanding on Sunday? We will need to figure out if we are going to self shuttle?

Posted July 7, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Michael Whitehurst
Plunge only for me. Can't wait!!!!!

Posted July 7, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Paul Sylvester
Mountain River Adventures has 5 seats left as of this morning. If you are on the fence get off it and book it. 800-861-6553 and be sure to tell them you are with Paul's group. Remember you must have good biking skills for this one and a fair amount of endourance. Get in touch with me if you have any questions about this ride.

Posted July 7, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Chris Ashford
Le Plunge was amazing. Just when you think it doesn't get any better - it does. It is a long ride too. The impression it left with me was exposure. Everyone needs to approach this and every ride for that matter as being self-sufficient. While you don't have to spend 5 hours on the trail - you might. Got sustenance to last that long? Electrolytes? Life above 6,000 or so feet can be strenuous. All that to say is that this is my new favorite ride. If you have the time - make it happen.

Posted July 7, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Michael Kim
Saturday/Plunge ride only for me.

Posted July 7, 2010 at 1:01 PM
Robert Pavlich
It will be saturday only for me.

Posted July 7, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Paul Sylvester
OK, it appears that everyone is down for Saturday only? Next we need to know how everyone is planning to get there? I usually like to go up in the morning. I need to leave my house in LaVerne about 4:15 in order to arrive a bit before 8 with a quick stop along the way. Driving time is almost exactly 3 hours from La Verne plus any stops. I go up I-15 to 395. It is the same driving time going through Bakersfield from my house so if you live in the valley that is a much shorter route to take.

Posted July 7, 2010 at 1:45 PM
Paul Sylvester
The shuttle is officially fully booked for Saturday. I will schedule another weekend soon. Those that are interested please email me with a date that you would be available. Keep in mind it is often easier to book this ride for Sunday.

Posted July 8, 2010 at 3:05 PM
chris G
great pics! ashford...wheres the vid?

Posted July 12, 2010 at 10:47 AM
Chris Ashford
@Guns - that would be a Michael Kim thing. The cross country helmet mount that comes with the camera do not stay stable enough for good vid when it is rocky. Michael has a great handle bar mount and hopefully some great vid.

Posted July 12, 2010 at 10:59 AM
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7 attended

RSVPs closed

5.005 (5 ratings)

Event Host

Paul Sylvester

Incredible. We had 7 riders, 3 Mikes, 2 Pauls. a Robert and a Chris. Not sure how those last two got in there with those odd names? The snow patches that were present last week are completely gone and the two downed trees on one of the best descents are gone. The meadows have almost dried up completely. We were blessed with cloud cover most of the day which kept it much cooler. The temp at the bottom when we finished was 95 which, without the sun, didn't really feel that hot. The best thing about this ride is there is always something different coming up. Just when you think some rocky descent couldn't be any better another one comes along that is. When you think what you just did couldn't be better, the Plunge comes along and you think that's the best (8 mi 5000v). When the single track on the Plunge changes to a dirt road,instead of just a dirt road it is a fast, rocky romp from one side to the other that didn't seem much like a road. At the end of it you say "wow that was awesome".
Michael Whitehurst

Lots of hard work getting to the top but the downhill was totally worth it. Paul organized a great event and everyone was patient with me being the slowest of the bunch.
Chris Ashford
Co - Organizer, Organizer

Paul's organization of this event was supreme and the weather cooperated to boot. Long day. Awesome ride. Not sure what else you could ask for? Helicopter shuttle service? Hmm
Mike Lieng

Awesome!
Robert Pavlich
Michael Kim