Rocky Peak/Lilac Lane

April 24, 2005

Not only did the Angel of Death thankfully pass over us on this first full day of Passover, but unfortunately the King Moses of RCY also passed over us.   Jamshyd planned this exploratory ride on the singletrack off of Lilac Lane in the Santa Susanna Pass, but instead of leading us on his bike, he went hiking there with his son (down visiting from UC Berkley) and some other friends, leaving us to wander in the desert for 40 years, give or take.  It was a bitter herb to take, but somehow we managed. 

I'm not sure how many of us showed up at the Rocky Peak exit off the 118.   I didn't take many pictures today and so don't have a visual record to help my old feeble memory (after all, remember we wandered for 40 years).  But let me give it a shot....first off, it was good to see that fine gentleman (even though he has become more of a roadie) SteveA.  And DavidR and BrianD and Mitch and AaronA and Ali were there.   And then there was Boomer who brought Dennis along.  And Andy who brought Reuben along.  I think that was everyone (sorry if I missed you) if you want to count me.  And I guess you could also count a co-worker of Rod's--I think his name is John--who showed up a little late and missed riding with us until the very end when we saw him at the top of Hummingbird.  And I suppose I should give 1/16 credit to Jamshyd for at least "sheepishly" saying hello to us on our brief encounter with the Lilac Lane ST.

Which brings me back to our ride.  We started the ride by going west on Santa Susanna to the first street which was Lilac Lane where we turned left, eventually finding the trailhead for our exploration.  The trail forked in a couple of spots and was quite overgrown, and thus after a very short time, we decided to lambast Jamshyd's idea and throw in the lamb shank, abandoning our exploratory plans.

Andy signalling on the overgrown trail....note the dark, threatening clouds over the San Fernando Valley

Thus we headed back to Santa Susanna Road, turning east, and headed for the bottom of the Johnson Trail. 

Climbing from the bottom of Johnson

(Note the wide, newly graded road.....apparently there are new homes going in here.

  What will happen to our access?)

The climb up Johnson was tough.  The winter rains have caused a fair amount of erosion and made for some very technical spots.  But we all made it safe and sound to the top.  A few pics....

New member Ali on Johnson Trail amongst the burned branches and colorful wildflowers

Reuben and Dennis descending a rocky section

Boomer following the tire tracks!

A painterly view of Dennis on Johnson

At the top of Johnson we regrouped before doing a RCY split.  Most decided to head up the Rocky Peak fireroad for a few more miles and some views, while a few decided that the sky looked like rain and we ought to head down.  I was in the latter group and so we high-tailed it back to the cars with only a few drops of rain hitting us.  Aaron, who was in the former group, caught up with us back at the cars because he left the other group when it started to rain on them.  I don't know what happened to the others, but hopefully they arrived back relatively dry and happy.   I had to head for home and so don't know whether anyone went out for after-ride eats, but if they did, I hope they had an extra piece of matzo for me.

Have a great week.

Robco  "Let My People Go" Baggins