Southern California Mountain Bikers

February 12, 2012 8:30 AM. 4 attended.

Palm Canyon Epic

This is truly an epic ride that is not for a newbie or someone not able to stay in the saddle most of the day. The trail is about 26 miles long and starts high above Palm Springs at the 4000 ft level. There is about 6000 ft of descending but also 2400 ft of climbing. It is all rough desert with no services, no water, no food and no easy out once you pass the upper loop turn off. There are lots of cactus, rocks and the trail follows the desert terrain up and down across hundreds of dry washes. You need lots of water, food and several tubes just in case. A spare hanger is a good idea. We will shuttle up from our meet point and should be riding by 9:30. Plan to be out most of the day so don't tell your spouse you will see her/him for lunch. The only time to do this ride is in cool weather in the winter so now is the time. This is a cross country ride so don't bring a big heavy DH with a single front ring (if you do you will probably need to be able to afford helicopter flying time for a rescue). For maps and a full description go to

http://www.mountainbikebill.com/PalmCanyon.htm

For a little taste of the fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6GaDNlfO_8

Take I-10 to Gene Autry Trail (hwy 111) offramp and head south toward Palm Springs. The offramp had been re-opened on Jan. 29 when we did the ride last. Gene Autry Trail takes you directly to the Von's shopping center. Keep in mind there are 2 Von's. The other one is clear down by the road we take up to the top so don't go to that one.

Paul Sylvester
Sweet Joe. I'll fit up the FXR for you.

Posted February 7 at 10:17 AM
Joe Asa
Nice. Thanks Paul!

Posted February 7 at 10:53 AM
Neil
75F and sunny with no shade might be a killer for me..

Posted February 8 at 8:15 AM
Paul Sylvester
Is 75 hot? Usually a breeze in the desert. We start at 4000 ft which will be cool for the first half of the ride.

Posted February 8 at 4:00 PM
JAM
Paul, I have already committed to do the PCE again this Sunday with the same group I made it last week. Maybe I'll see you guys there. We plan to skip the dry wash, which was a leg killer last week, but still do the Hahn Buena Vista, which was a blast. Jose

Posted February 9 at 11:47 AM
chris G
if you're skipping the wash, how are you getting to the hahn buena vista trail?

Posted February 9 at 12:19 PM
JAM
Chris, the plan is: right after the Dry Wash starts, take East Fork Loop and Vandeventer trail to the bottom of Hahn B-V. From there back to the Dunn Rd Fireroad via the Cathedral Canyon Trail. Up Dunn Rd to the Desert Oasis (Hahn B-V Trailhead) and down Hahn B-V from there to the Von's. I can send you a diagram of the route via email if you want. My email is joseam.sports (at) gmail

Posted February 9 at 2:52 PM
Paul Sylvester
I think you guys are planning to do what we already do. We go up the sand wash about 3/4 mile and turn left on another trail. After some distance there is a split in the trail. Left goes downhill at first then a gradual climb to another trail split. If one continues straight at the first split you climb to Dunn Road. Left on Dunn to another left onto a single track which takes you downhill to another trail split. At that point u r at the same point no matter which route you took at the 1st split

Posted February 9 at 3:23 PM
chris G
Jose, OK...so you're gonna climb up dunn road to get to the Hahn B-V trail rather than do the full wash. that makes sense. then you can take FERN trail to wild horse rather than repeat the cathedral canyon trial...if you so choose. cool

Posted February 9 at 3:43 PM
chris G
You know...if we did this ride on a saturday...we could all stay out there and do it again on sunday :)

Posted February 9 at 4:29 PM
Paul Sylvester
Now we are talking some good stuff.

Posted February 9 at 4:35 PM
Paul Sylvester
I'm up for a double.

Posted February 9 at 4:36 PM
Paul Sylvester
G you're starting to sound like me on Cannell. See what doing an epic does to you. Infectous

Posted February 9 at 4:37 PM
chris G
HA! yea...but 1/2 the travel time of cannell :) i'd do a double sometime...we might be stuck waiting til next season though.

Posted February 9 at 4:43 PM
Paul Sylvester
Would you do a double distance drive if a hot single blonde was waiting? It's all in the mind.

Posted February 9 at 5:13 PM
chris G
i'd convince her to do Palm instead :)

Posted February 9 at 5:23 PM
chris G
...then again i might end up doing palm.... =:-o

Posted February 9 at 5:24 PM
JAM
you guys are sick. a "double"? Me, I am still recovering from last Saturday's epic...

Posted February 10 at 12:14 AM
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4 attended

RSVPs closed

5.003 (3 ratings)

Event Host

Paul Sylvester

Wow! What a day. Nice and cool and clear. Palm Canyon is considered an epic for a reason, it is. This ride ranks right up there will Cannell or Downieville. The scenery is spectacular and the trail has so many different things to offer it is unbelieveable. Thinking of doing a double in the near future. Watch for the posting.
Joe Asa

They don't get much more epic than this. Great ride. One of the best in So Cal.
chris G

+1 guest

Absolutley perfect weather! cool breeze the entire length of the ride. good pace.