REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Black Hill Morro Bay

2202 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Brown_Teeth, Jun 30, 2009

jmallory

Discussion Starter · Jun 28, 2009

Was thinking of riding Black Hill in Morro Bay and was wondering about the trail. Is it mostly shuttled or is it doable riding up and then back down? Also, what kind of terrain is it?

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Never rode that one but I'm sure it's a pretty quick ride. If you are in the area, try Montana de Oro in Los Osos at the end of Los Osos Valley Road. A nice climb with a fun dh and killer views of the beach.

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slocaus

· #3 · Jun 29, 2009

jmallory said:
Was thinking of riding Black Hill in Morro Bay and was wondering about the trail. Is it mostly shuttled or is it doable riding up and then back down? Also, what kind of terrain is it?

Most of us ride the loop all the way round; counter clockwise is my preferred direction.

You can see it to the upper left (37-40). The lower trails are deep sand, rideable only after rains.

If you are thinking about the rocky area up above the water tank, be aware that the Black Market racing series and then many of those riders going back often got the locals very upset. CCCMB has worked with the Park Service - here is some information:

I want to give everyone a heads up that an unfortunate situation has developed in the Morro Bay State Park on Black Hill.
Over the last year or two the trail coming off the paved parking lot very near the top of the hill has become a very popular downhill shuttle run. Because of the sandy and steep soil there has been a good deal of general damage. But on the steepest sections the damage has been extensive and frankly embarrassing. Particularly given the fact that 3 years ago a volunteer crew spent at least 150 hours stabilizing the trail with many yards of gravel and dozens of peeler core. In addition to trail damage the downhillers have managed to anger the neighbors and particularly local hikers. It is pretty much in a neighborhood and very popular with hikers.

Because several folks have complained (repeatedly) to State Parks and because 4 downhillers basically ignored the Parks Superintendent when he personally went up there to scout out the trail the trail was very nearly closed to bikes. When he made the announcement that closure was going to be his recommendation CCCMB became involved (actually before but that's a long story).

The short version is that CCCMB has about a month to come up with an alternative solution. We'll talk about it at the CCCMB meeting on Tuesday.

You should know that a significant part of the problem is that there have been underground races held there for at least a year. You can see posters for them in the bike shops. But is not just the damage done on race day which is the problem (the races are only held a few times a year). A bigger problem is that racers are returning regularly and bringing their friends. And then they bring their friends. So it has gotten to be an every weekend occurrence.

The good news is we have some ideas, a great organization and a race promoter who wants to do the responsible thing.

It would probably be a good idea to take this opportunity to do a little self examination and ask yourself, Am I riding where, how and when I should?

Here is where the situation stands, as of December, this was the plan. Since we have not been contacted by the Park Service, presumably all is well, but we aware and be responsible.

Use design features (e.g. choke points, etc) to make it impractical and not fun to use the trail as a downhill run. (Designing the features is a next. step.)

Maintain the trail so that it is made to be as sustainable as practical.

Use signs to clearly explain the problem as well as permitted uses.

CCCMB will engage in communications and outreach to inform, educate and engage interested parties.

The trail usage patterns and conditions will be re-evaluated after 6 months.

If, after 6 months the downhilling/shuttling activity is still a problem the trail will be closed (either to downhill bike traffic or to bikes all-together).

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Brown_Teeth

· #4 · Jun 29, 2009

jmallory said:
Was thinking of riding Black Hill in Morro Bay and was wondering about the trail. Is it mostly shuttled or is it doable riding up and then back down? Also, what kind of terrain is it?

Black hill has about 8 miles of trails, yes it can be shuttled but the run down is technical from the water tank and at times scary due to soft conditions/sand and peeler core steps in some sandy steep sections, otherwise its typical trail riding with limited sight/tight singletrack so bring a bell and use it. The kids have put it a large drop off (5') on the lower dh run section recently, bit of a tight landing:eekster: . For some technical climbing ride above the water tank to the top, it you make it all the way this is what you will see.

I live in MB and ride it lots, some fun loops and jumps on the north side and I have to get out there and trim back the brush... there is a trail around the whole hill, fun stuff, if you cross over to cabillo you can get the ride up to 18 miles if you do all the trails, its foggy and cool out today, excellent day to ride!

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jmallory

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 30, 2009

Yeah, I've ridden MDO many times and was just curious about Black Hill. So, the road that goes through the golf course and ends at the top is where the trail starts? Or is that where people are having issues with mtbers?

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Brown_Teeth

· #6 · Jun 30, 2009

The hill is interlaced with trails some easy and fast others faster and ... need a slo guide PM me know otherwise its easy to self explore and not get lost, have fun!

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Black Hill Morro Bay

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