Chumash Trail via Las Llajas Fireroad

Sunday morning saw 8 RCYers arrive at the Pink shopping center for the ride towards Rocky Peak. Enthusiastic anticipation percolated as we planned on exploring the new fireroad that we discovered last weekend that would take us up to the Rocky Peak fireroad and our eventual goal of descending the Chumash Trail. After pedaling around Mt. Sinai Memorial Park we arrived at the base of Chumash. From there we negotiated a little pavement until we found what Rod later discovered is called the Las Llajas Fireroad. The first 6+ miles was a gradual climb thru a beautiful oak lined canyon, sometimes loose and sandy, sometimes having to negotiate around horse and cow pies. Eventually we came to Poe Ranch where we got the hint that we were not welcome.

So we took a right turn and continued up a steep fireroad climb that eventually brought us to the intersection with Rocky Peak Fireroad (see Rod's website http://www.geocities.com/rodb12/ for the topo map).

Loose soil made for a challenging climb up much of Las Llamas Fireroad

But Rocky Peak Fireroad immediately gave us yet another even steeper climbing challenge.

Joe enjoys the challenge of the Rocky Peak Fireroad climb

Rod and Uncle Louie (aka Steve)

laugh in the face of the steep fireroad climb!

Near the end of the climb, everyone stops for a group portrait.

Ali, David, Andy, Rod, Brian, Joe, and Uncle Louie (who graced us by leaving the road to ride dirt with us).

And it's me, Robco, behind the camera

From this point it was a short ride to the intersection with the Chumash Trail.

Chumash Trail via Las Llajas Fireroad

Sunday

09-25-05

Part II

The Chumash Trail provided her usual technical challenges (David took a hard fall in a rocky section near the top--but being a manly man, he shrugged off the pain and continued on). The trail also provided us with lots of fun as we swooshed back down towards Simi Valley.

A collage of 5 riders on the Chumash descent--

From the front: Brian, David, Ali, Andy and Rod

[actually Andy was first down this section--but, ahh, the wonders of digital editing ;o) ]

On we pedaled down Chumash....

The Chumash Trail as it winds towards Simi Valley below

Looking back, Joe descends against the backdrop of a clouded, bright blue sky

Steve leads Joe down a section of Chumash

Arriving at various times back at the pink shopping center, half our number headed for home, while the other half went to the A-framed restaurant down the street--it is now in its 3rd ownership in the last year--now called The Walck Inn. Good talk and food ended a beautiful day of mountain bike riding.

Have a great week!

Robco Baggins

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Topo Map for this ride