Think I might de-virginize myself to Pass Mtn this weekend. Been a little intimidated since up until recently only had a cross country HT. Now that I've got the full suss AM rig and knee and elbow protection I guess I've got no more excuses 
My Pass Mountain experience
Chollaball sent me directions about four months ago and I finally got out there this morning. First, late start. Second, (admittedly I'm not a rocket scientist) I neglected to take the directions.
After getting all the way out there into the hinterlands and goofing around for an hour trying to find the trail, I finally paid the $6 and parked in Usery Park. By this time it was 9:30.
I was on my Monk 29er. I haven't been riding much lately and what riding I've done has been mostly SS. In other words, I haven't ridden any tech stuff in months. Roundabout way of saying I was woefully unprepared for what awaited me.
Due to time constraints and feeling like I'd been punked, I only made it to the saddle. I then turned around and rode back rather than complete the clockwise circuit.
It's a grind. It's up, up, up to the saddle. But it's not just climbing. Every 10 seconds there's a waterbar or a little drop or a tight turn with a cholla hanging over it. And the whole surface is scree; no traction when you really, really need it. No huge obstacles and no significant exposure, but the technical level of the ride is quite high IMO.
I did have a blast, particularly on the ride back to the truck. I'll be hitting this a lot more often and hopefully be better prepared. If you haven't ridden this trail, you really should.
d
After getting all the way out there into the hinterlands and goofing around for an hour trying to find the trail, I finally paid the $6 and parked in Usery Park. By this time it was 9:30.
I was on my Monk 29er. I haven't been riding much lately and what riding I've done has been mostly SS. In other words, I haven't ridden any tech stuff in months. Roundabout way of saying I was woefully unprepared for what awaited me.
Due to time constraints and feeling like I'd been punked, I only made it to the saddle. I then turned around and rode back rather than complete the clockwise circuit.
It's a grind. It's up, up, up to the saddle. But it's not just climbing. Every 10 seconds there's a waterbar or a little drop or a tight turn with a cholla hanging over it. And the whole surface is scree; no traction when you really, really need it. No huge obstacles and no significant exposure, but the technical level of the ride is quite high IMO.
I did have a blast, particularly on the ride back to the truck. I'll be hitting this a lot more often and hopefully be better prepared. If you haven't ridden this trail, you really should.
d
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
let me know when you're going, I may join you.
glad you finally made it out there, you missed the parts with the highest consequences, but the DH down the north side is super-duper fun and usually not ridden in favor of the loop. The out and back you did is still a fine ride and about the same mileage and challenges, other than the $6.
ping me sometime, my schedule is hectic around kids and daycare, but an early weekday could work if you give me a little notice.
ping me sometime, my schedule is hectic around kids and daycare, but an early weekday could work if you give me a little notice.
Never been there, but what is the other option beside parking in Usery Park? Thanks!Blatant said:Chollaball sent me directions about four months ago and I finally got out there this morning. First, late start. Second, (admittedly I'm not a rocket scientist) I neglected to take the directions.
After getting all the way out there into the hinterlands and goofing around for an hour trying to find the trail, I finally paid the $6 and parked in Usery Park. By this time it was 9:30.
I was on my Monk 29er. I haven't been riding much lately and what riding I've done has been mostly SS. In other words, I haven't ridden any tech stuff in months. Roundabout way of saying I was woefully unprepared for what awaited me.
Due to time constraints and feeling like I'd been punked, I only made it to the saddle. I then turned around and rode back rather than complete the clockwise circuit.
It's a grind. It's up, up, up to the saddle. But it's not just climbing. Every 10 seconds there's a waterbar or a little drop or a tight turn with a cholla hanging over it. And the whole surface is scree; no traction when you really, really need it. No huge obstacles and no significant exposure, but the technical level of the ride is quite high IMO.
I did have a blast, particularly on the ride back to the truck. I'll be hitting this a lot more often and hopefully be better prepared. If you haven't ridden this trail, you really should.
d
PM sentMaadjurguer said:let me know when you're going, I may join you.
one could always park at NRA, ride south on the road and cross onto the trail from the north-west corner of the loop. Or....you could be an idiot your first time out there in 100 degree temps like me and do the Hawes loop, Pass Mountain and optimistically hope to finish up back at Hawes.....that last part will have to wait until it cools down.
park near McKellips\Ellsworth, just east of the intersection. There is an entrance for $1. Bit more mileage, but its easy warmup stuff.Maadjurguer said:one could always park at NRA, ride south on the road and cross onto the trail from the north-west corner of the loop. Or....you could be an idiot your first time out there in 100 degree temps like me and do the Hawes loop, Pass Mountain and optimistically hope to finish up back at Hawes.....that last part will have to wait until it cools down.
park just south of NRA at the wash (its signed and a fence). Ride 10 minutes up a sandy wash to hit the PM trail. Shorter but harder.
Maad - we should do an early AM out there? next week is very bad for me w. work and tapering for Barn Burner, but after that...
you got it....my phone is on the blink until they warranty the old one. use email or PM's until then.chollaball said:Maad - we should do an early AM out there? next week is very bad for me w. work and tapering for Barn Burner, but after that...
There is also an entrance on Meridian road ($1 entrance fee). Jump on the meridian trail, take a right on the cats peak trail and at the top of cats peak trail(dont take the cats peak pass trail) there is an entrance to the Pass mountain trail.
Cat peak pass trail is really cool and one hard little climb , but worth it :thumbsup:NinerBoy said:There is also an entrance on Meridian road ($1 entrance fee). Jump on the meridian trail, take a right on the cats peak trail and at the top of cats peak trail(dont take the cats peak pass trail) there is an entrance to the Pass mountain trail.
You gotta love the old pass mountain trail , --------once you get used to it you can rip through everthing ride the whole trail and really get strong , --------------I still like somo alittle better , -----but the pass mountain is a great run ------wait till you get to the back side , -----its even better nar !!:thumbsup:Blatant said:Chollaball sent me directions about four months ago and I finally got out there this morning. First, late start. Second, (admittedly I'm not a rocket scientist) I neglected to take the directions.
After getting all the way out there into the hinterlands and goofing around for an hour trying to find the trail, I finally paid the $6 and parked in Usery Park. By this time it was 9:30.
I was on my Monk 29er. I haven't been riding much lately and what riding I've done has been mostly SS. In other words, I haven't ridden any tech stuff in months. Roundabout way of saying I was woefully unprepared for what awaited me.
Due to time constraints and feeling like I'd been punked, I only made it to the saddle. I then turned around and rode back rather than complete the clockwise circuit.
It's a grind. It's up, up, up to the saddle. But it's not just climbing. Every 10 seconds there's a waterbar or a little drop or a tight turn with a cholla hanging over it. And the whole surface is scree; no traction when you really, really need it. No huge obstacles and no significant exposure, but the technical level of the ride is quite high IMO.
I did have a blast, particularly on the ride back to the truck. I'll be hitting this a lot more often and hopefully be better prepared. If you haven't ridden this trail, you really should.
d
Pass Mtn has got a little of everything. Even though you can ride any bike on any trail (or so I'm told), it's the one place that will have you wishing you left the hardtail at home. If you make it to the backside anyway
Jason: I'm off on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday every week.
I'll definitely be going back next week. And knowing what to expect, will make the entire circuit.
I'll definitely be going back next week. And knowing what to expect, will make the entire circuit.
Blatant....I get every other Friday off, so some early morning starts would be perfect.
Yeah, my 9:30 start was about three hours too late
Should've been wrapping up at that time, not getting started.
Should've been wrapping up at that time, not getting started.
ugh just finished Tortilla Flat, think I'm gonna puke.Blatant said:Yeah, my 9:30 start was about three hours too late
Should've been wrapping up at that time, not getting started.
Thursdays are really good mornings for me, Fridays can be arranged if my wife and I can coordinate the prior weekend. I could do either in 2 weeks*
*i reserve the right to flake on Friday if we goto Rocky Point
Thanks all. I've only been to Hawes 2x and have so much to explore in that part of town for riding. Somehow I did not get there this winter and was on auto pilot riding 40th St and the MSP the whole time.chollaball said:park near McKellips\Ellsworth, just east of the intersection. There is an entrance for $1. Bit more mileage, but its easy warmup stuff.
park just south of NRA at the wash (its signed and a fence). Ride 10 minutes up a sandy wash to hit the PM trail. Shorter but harder.
Maad - we should do an early AM out there? next week is very bad for me w. work and tapering for Barn Burner, but after that...
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
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