Sullivan Canyon via Caballero
09-10-05
Part I
 
Perfect temperatures with overcast skies made for outstanding riding conditions for the 6 RCYers who left the Caballero Canyon trailhead just a bit after 7:30 this Saturday morning.  Nelson, Ali, Rod, John, George and I made good time heading up Caballero, turning east on Mulholland fireroad and then south on Sullivan Fireroad.  Then came dessert.  The steep descent down to Sullivan Canyon and then the joy of the wonderfully diverse twists and turns and rocks and roots and fallen trees and watercrossings as we rode the canyon floor.
 
Here is a shot of me descending a rooted section down to the streambed
 
And here is Nelson at high speed on the same section
 
Here is a clearer shot of Nelson manuveuring
over some logs at slower speed
 
Nelson and John (on his new Giant steed) flew down the trail in front of me while I stopped after about 3 miles to set up a photo spot at a stream crossing.  I waited and waited and waited and....yes, you guessed it, waited for Rod and George and Ali.  When they did not appear, I packed up my gear and headed down the canyon to meet Nelson and John near the bottom as they began to pedal back up, also concerned about the rest of the group.  Not long after, we were met by Rod and George who explained the delay -- the seat on Ali's bike had had its threads stripped and that he had to turn back.  Thus the remaining 5 of us decided to also head on back up the canyon, pedaling at a leisurely rate in order to take in the beauty that surrounded us.
 
Due to the heavy winter rains, even this late in the summer there is a fair amount of water
 
George at a stream crossing
 
Rod approaching the "underpass" created by a fallen tree
 
 
Continuing back up Sullivan Canyon.....
 
John, armed with skills from a recent trip to Whistler, clears a log
Pedaling up the canyon we came across the lovely Molisa who was on her way down.  She had hoped to meet up with us before our earlier descent but we were too quick this morning.  But it was enjoyable to stop and chat for a bit.
 
 
Bidding adieu to Molisa we continued our climb out of Sullivan which ended with the usual steep 1/4+ mile, though fortunately today's overcast skies made it a bit easier than usual.  We also met a potential new RCYer Mandeep, who I think is either working on or has already obtained his Phd. in Particle Physics.  Perhaps his knowledge will allow us to travel more efficiently thru space and time.  Mandeep continued on with us to dirt Mulholland.  Nelson, Rod, Mandeep and I then rode the RedCar singletrack before the 3 of us (Mandeep lives on the "city" side of the hill) headed back down Caballero Canyon.
 
Mandeep and Rod at the top of Caballero Canyon
 
By the time Rod and I got to the bottom of Caballero, everyone else had left.  So the 2 of us went for some refueling at the delightfully good Greystoke Grill in Tarzana before heading for home.
 
Yours truly,
 
Robco Baggins