The South Half

[GarlandM8]

Tommy, yes I'm riding tomorrow (Monday)... talked to Don and he said he was pretty sure he could make it. I'm loaded up and planning to head out in the morning. Plan on Greenhorn at 9am.... anyone else??? From west side of Lake Isabella come up Hwy 155 to the top and you unload at the CalTrans yard at the trail head.

phone is on if you need... 949 279-3130

mike

 

[donbrown]

Tommy, yes I'm riding tomorrow (Monday)... talked to Don and he said he was pretty sure he could make it. I'm loaded up and planning to head out in the morning. Plan on Greenhorn at 9am.... anyone else??? From west side of Lake Isabella come up Hwy 155 to the top and you unload at the CalTrans yard at the trail head.

phone is on if you need... 949 279-3130

mike

I am going Monday December 22nd !!!

 

[the_machinist]

I hope you guys have a good run. Stuck @ work today. I rode yesterday @ Sherman. Great coverage everywhere, some usually early season areas of the road that get wind swept clean were all covered great. We had to park quite a way down from the lot as the road was not plowed. Post a report when you get back. I've never ridden over @ Greenhorn, always skeptical on snow conditions over that way. Shorter trip would be nice sometime...maybe.

 

[Bart]

South half,
Have a good ride and post some pictures, please.

Mike, My brother used to live on Irene street, in Wrightwood, can't remember the house number. He had the biggest deck on the street. Deck was bigger than the house. lol. Yes he's a redneck!

 

[silvertip]

South half,
Have a good ride and post some pictures, please.

Mike, My brother used to live on Irene street, in Wrightwood, can't remember the house number. He had the biggest deck on the street. Deck was bigger than the house. lol. Yes he's a redneck!

Boy Bart I had to read what you said twice before I seen that was a e and not a i

 

[Bart]

Boy Bart I had to read what you said twice before I seen that was a e and not a i

Oh gheeze! I see what you mean. "lol" I had to go back and read it twice too.
John, Thanks for calling the other night. Your message from the waitress, really made me laugh.

 

[GarlandM8]

LOL Bart... I know Irene St., I'm on Mockingbird... My deck isn't as big, but it gets the job done

Machinist... Greenhorn isn't bad, I like Sherman better, more oportunities. Greenhorn is for road riding, and as the snow is now, thats all you can do, still too many stumps, etc.... We rode 90 miles total,.. up into the Giant Sequoia area, had lunch and got fuel at Ponderosa. Sunday had warmed up and made some slushy areas, and we rode in sleet most of the way in... ie, we were frozen popcicles getting to Ponderosa. Then it turned to snow, and then cleared out and had blue skies for the ride back. Couple more dumps and we'll be looking good.
Let me know when you can make a Sherman ride. I'll be in Idaho for some Xmas riding with the folks, ...back on the 29th.

some pics of the big trees and powder riding the streets here in town.

 

[the_machinist]

Thanks for posting the pics! That looks like it may be a fun spot to take the family for a ride. Is that store open w/ hot food also? I've been through there on my motorcycle before, pretty area. I always like Sherman too, huge area pretty much shared between all 6 sledders around here...lol. I've been there and had 5 rigs in the lot and still never saw anyone all day long, even on the main trail. We actually ran out of gas about 2 miles up the road from where we parked...ugh...I drove my truck up and had to tow them on the trailer. It didn't seem like we even rode that much but I'd guess 70 some miles.

Have a safe run up to ID and get some good pow too Bluejay!

 

[donbrown]

Thanks for posting the pics! That looks like it may be a fun spot to take the family for a ride. Is that store open w/ hot food also? I've been through there on my motorcycle before, pretty area. I always like Sherman too, huge area pretty much shared between all 6 sledders around here...lol. I've been there and had 5 rigs in the lot and still never saw anyone all day long, even on the main trail. We actually ran out of gas about 2 miles up the road from where we parked...ugh...I drove my truck up and had to tow them on the trailer. It didn't seem like we even rode that much but I'd guess 70 some miles.

Have a safe run up to ID and get some good pow too Bluejay!

Ponderosa is a "general store" with a bar with beer on tap and a pool table. I had a cooked turkey breast sandwich with lettuce tomato mayo etc ... Also ... they have gas !

Sure was glad to meet the stoked fire cast iron stove after the "ice" ride.

We rode a meadow and I hit a few rocks and bounced off a couple logs so not ready for off trail.

Here is the park service answer ... http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/ohv-osv/tr_osv.html

 

[James6000]

Wrightwood update, Mike i have been in and out working, pulled into town
about 130 pm today 36 degrees rain sleet turned to snow as the sun went down now it's clear 26 degrees wind minimal, this storm was a bust down here
and the snow we got continues to melt. Planning a mammoth trip MLK weekend, Jim

 

[GarlandM8]

Hey guys... greetings from No. Idaho
Thanks James for the update at home...too bad on the storm.. There was a little dusting Xmas morning when I left to airport... well less shoveling when I get home Monday nite.

Record snows for Dec. here.... over 4 ft... been snowing off and on since I got here.. Tons of powder with not much base, but alot of fun in the couple meadows and flat areas we found. Folks have mild machines... 1.25 tracks, so keeping somewhat mild. Stuck fests aren't much fun, as I have to do most of the digging But great times with family and putting on some miles, and still finding some areas to get in trouble!! Should of drove and brought the Summit! Well, been snowing all night, about 6 in of new, gotta go plow the drive then were heading back out for a ride. With the new, we're gonna leave straight from the house and head into the Bitterroots.

Will post some pics when I get home. Hope everyone had a great Xmas!!!!!

mike

 

[donbrown]

Xmas was good at our home.

Stopped raining yesterday. Lots of local snow and multiple feet of snow on the mountains.

OHV money freed up yesterday (23rd) so they can get paid going to get the groomer and groom.

 

[the_machinist]

Sherman Update

I rode Sherman on Saturday 12/27. Nice amount of fresh snow, we had to park real low. It was plowed to the turn off that goes to I think Big meadows. Regardless it was just under 7 miles down the road from the regular parking lot up top. It doesn't seem like they will plow higher this season. The road up had good coverage and several wind drifts as you get higher. We were able to ride and carve several meadows. Some other areas for climbing were decent but you had to choose your line wisely. Still some obstacles exist but nothing to major. We saw 4 or 5 short trackers out and they spent most of the day stuck or at least sticking to where we already broke trail. My buddy is kind of new and he had probably 5 stucks...

I wanted to post some pictures but my camera is broken. I'll try to get something up next trip up. 1 more snowfall and we'll be set for what eva...

Let's set up a meet and ride.

 

[GarlandM8]

Well the timing here in Idaho was a bust. Had a good ride on Friday, Saturday turned to sleet, wet and frozen. Sunday was all rain, and now it starts snowing hard on top of all the frozen melt off from Sunday, and gotta head to airport in a couple hours.

I'm still off work the rest of the week... would like to get to Sherman. Anybody around for a Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday ride? Leave a message on cell, I'll be in and out of airports today, and get into Ontario at 10:30pm.

 

[donbrown]

Well the timing here in Idaho was a bust. Had a good ride on Friday, Saturday turned to sleet, wet and frozen. Sunday was all rain, and now it starts snowing hard on top of all the frozen melt off from Sunday, and gotta head to airport in a couple hours.

I'm still off work the rest of the week... would like to get to Sherman. Anybody around for a Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday ride? Leave a message on cell, I'll be in and out of airports today, and get into Ontario at 10:30pm.

I am gonna try Coon Creek on the 38 in San Bernardino maintained by Mill Creek Station 909-382-2882.

Will ride Tuesday maybe Wednesday depending on the family and forest service.

Suppose to have at least 2 feet plus per satellite BUT I am waiting for the Mill Creek Ranger Station approval to ride.

Gonna take my daughter and nieces for a ride.

As far as Sherman goes ... talked to forest service and as you know only one person available to groom ... Bob since Eric went to Eldorado.

Bob is on vacation till the 5th of January so the receptionist forest service at Kern 760-376-3781 says nothing happening until the 5th when everyone comes back.

 

[donbrown]

I rode Sherman on Saturday 12/27. Nice amount of fresh snow, we had to park real low. It was plowed to the turn off that goes to I think Big meadows. Regardless it was just under 7 miles down the road from the regular parking lot up top. It doesn't seem like they will plow higher this season. The road up had good coverage and several wind drifts as you get higher. We were able to ride and carve several meadows. Some other areas for climbing were decent but you had to choose your line wisely. Still some obstacles exist but nothing to major. We saw 4 or 5 short trackers out and they spent most of the day stuck or at least sticking to where we already broke trail. My buddy is kind of new and he had probably 5 stucks...

I wanted to post some pictures but my camera is broken. I'll try to get something up next trip up. 1 more snowfall and we'll be set for what eva...

Let's set up a meet and ride.

What size tracks and cc's do you have?

To get a better understanding of conditions.

How deep is it at the Stop sign at Sherman Pass?

Did you climb / desend and climb at Sherman Pass. The South Climb (in front stop sign) or the Plateau decent and turn around (behind stop sign)at the tree and then climb?

Did you only ride off Sherman Road?

Did you make it to the YURT?

Camera views look nice http://www.sugarloafers.com/Weather.htm

What is the road / where specifically on http://www.sugarloafers.com/Weather.htm camera Sherman SE?

 

[the_machinist]

What size tracks and cc's do you have?

To get a better understanding of conditions.

How deep is it at the Stop sign at Sherman Pass?

Did you climb / desend and climb at Sherman Pass. The South Climb (in front stop sign) or the Plateau decent and turn around (behind stop sign)at the tree and then climb?

Did you only ride off Sherman Road?

Did you make it to the YURT?

800 cc 153 length track
Didn't pay attention to the pole. We rode and climbed the hill behind the sign and higher up as well.

We pretty much rode all over, went to the Yurt and past. Snow is probably at the top step of the Yurt. We rode 110,103, 105, gate was closed down near Blackrock we rode around and had great conditions pretty much everywhere.

I could care less about grooming...What is up w/ you and groomed trails, you've made about 1000 posts about that now?
I could understand if you're taking the family, but otherwise...I'd rather break trail myself.

 

[donbrown]

800 cc 153 length track


I could care less about grooming...What is up w/ you and groomed trails, you've made about 1000 posts about that now?
I could understand if you're taking the family, but otherwise...I'd rather break trail myself.

We have a larger trailer to take to Sherman. I am concerned about turning a 28 foot around and know a plowed road would be easier than an unplowed road. I had a 20 foot trailer before.

I have 4 children who want to go play in the snow and spend the night in the trailer. Two of them want to ride on their own sled. My oldest is 10 and youngest is 2. In conclusion I would like a plowed road and groomed trail to get all the children "up" the mountain all day and back down.

Last time I took the family up Sherman I spent all day (5 hours) going from the Groomer fueling area to the turn off before Sherman and back with a groomed trail.

As far as posting about the grooming so much. I am concerned with the delay to spend our OHV money on ourselves. I want to make sure all who can sled do so the sport grows.

On a personal note ... most of my riding experience is groomed trail and need to learn more off trail riding. I probably rode 20,000 plus trail miles and only 2000 off trail in my lifetime.

 

[the_machinist]

Ah, understand where you're coming from now. I would say that Sherman is not the best place to take the little ones, at least where we stage from last season. I think I've only been there a few times when it's been groomed. You can also enter off the 395 near Pearsonville (?) and head up to Kennedy Meadows (25 miles approx). I've never been up that side to stage for sledding. Snow is good already though, might be worth a try. There is a store over there I think, not sure if it's open in winter.

I'd say right now the longer trailer would be a pain to try to get turned around. I don't want to complain, but I didn't feel that the plow driver really cleared out the spot that well. Where they stopped, he could have given a little more room.
I'm usually leaving after dark or right @ dark so everyone else is cleared out by the time I leave.

I thought you had a long track Polaris too?

 

[donbrown]

Ah, understand where you're coming from now. I would say that Sherman is not the best place to take the little ones, at least where we stage from last season. I think I've only been there a few times when it's been groomed. You can also enter off the 395 near Pearsonville (?) and head up to Kennedy Meadows (25 miles approx). I've never been up that side to stage for sledding. Snow is good already though, might be worth a try. There is a store over there I think, not sure if it's open in winter.

I'd say right now the longer trailer would be a pain to try to get turned around. I don't want to complain, but I didn't feel that the plow driver really cleared out the spot that well. Where they stopped, he could have given a little more room.
I'm usually leaving after dark or right @ dark so everyone else is cleared out by the time I leave.

I thought you had a long track Polaris too?

The plowing money for Sherman should have been approved on 24 December plus the groomer released the same day. Now they gotta pick up the groomer.

I have 5 sleds / miles ridden by me.

1992 Yamaha Venture short track miles 0
2000 Arctic Cat Panther 2up 440 miles 7500
2004 Polaris 600 RMK 144 miles 400
2005 Polaris 900 RMK 166 miles 175
2006 Acrtic Cat 120 kiddie sled

I rode the 144 Poo 600 this year and last. Just bought the Yamaha for kids.
The 900 is a dream to ride STRAIGHT and turns like a freight train.
The Panther is a 136 3/4 track air cooled and gets about 20 MPG.