Luis
iMTB Addict
So after reading @Mikie and @Voodoo Tom report of their massive ride in this area earlier in the year, I've had a need to go and ride Gridley.
Luckily for me, @scott suggested this for a sunday ride. With the temps forecasted in the 75 degree range and clear skies, the timing looked optimal for the climb. Having never been there, this was Scott's chance to show me some new (to me) dirt.
With a 6:30am meet time in Sherman Oaks and a quick bite and coffee just outside Ojai, we reached the trailhead just before 8:00am. Our plan was to avoid the weekend crowds, and it worked! We saw a couple of hikers here and there, and for the most part all were cordial but there was one lady that ignored us after we said hello to her. There's always one in the crowd
Scott got to know this trail really well after buying our friend Steve Messer's (Kanga) book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0987168673/?tag=imtbtrails-20
In the book, it's ride 8 and it gives you a great description and detailed instructions on what to expect.
Gridley starts out with a series of rock gardens and one short steep rocky hike-a-bike, but then settles into a steady six mile climb with some challenges in the form of rocky steps ups and some narrow washout sections. Because of this it is considered a single black diamond trail. I commented to Scott that it reminded me of the time we rode Holy Jim trail with @mike
A sign of things to come
I did mention hike-a-bike sections right?
Looking back at the avocado groves we rode through
Looking back at Gridley as it snakes it's way up the mountain
Taking a breather from the relentless climb
The top of Gridley at just under two hours
After reaching the top of Gridley we then had a really steep last leg up to Nordhoff peak. One mile, 630ft with an average 10% grade on a fire road, but the payoff was awesome.
Scott and your truly enjoying the breeze and the views from the lookout tower on Nordhoff peak
One last look back at Gridley before heading down to Pratt
Nordhoff was a great hang out place was but now it was time to head on down to what we came for.
Pratt is rated as a double black diamond single track that features some tight switchbacks, rock gardens, and exposure. Unfortunately we were having too much fun here to stop and take a lot of pictures. Pratt starts out smooth and flowy and gradually gets more technical the further down you go. Upper Pratt ends at cozy dell fire road, but here we followed the directions in the book to a single track called Foothill trail. This single track is a better option to rejoin lower Pratt, rather than taking a boring fire road.
Rejoining Pratt trail
Scott starting down the lower section of Pratt
The lower section of Pratt requires full commitment. Some sections are a long series of rock steps with some wood ties thrown in. By the time we came out at the end of Pratt, my arms felt like I had done 150 push ups or more
Getting back to the car was a series of rolling climbs on Valley View fire road.
Back at the car after an awesome ride
As you can see, the fact that we were there early in the morning meant we were able to score a spot in this tiny parking lot.
Ride stats:
Luckily for me, @scott suggested this for a sunday ride. With the temps forecasted in the 75 degree range and clear skies, the timing looked optimal for the climb. Having never been there, this was Scott's chance to show me some new (to me) dirt.
With a 6:30am meet time in Sherman Oaks and a quick bite and coffee just outside Ojai, we reached the trailhead just before 8:00am. Our plan was to avoid the weekend crowds, and it worked! We saw a couple of hikers here and there, and for the most part all were cordial but there was one lady that ignored us after we said hello to her. There's always one in the crowd
Scott got to know this trail really well after buying our friend Steve Messer's (Kanga) book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0987168673/?tag=imtbtrails-20
In the book, it's ride 8 and it gives you a great description and detailed instructions on what to expect.
Gridley starts out with a series of rock gardens and one short steep rocky hike-a-bike, but then settles into a steady six mile climb with some challenges in the form of rocky steps ups and some narrow washout sections. Because of this it is considered a single black diamond trail. I commented to Scott that it reminded me of the time we rode Holy Jim trail with @mike
A sign of things to come
I did mention hike-a-bike sections right?
Looking back at the avocado groves we rode through
Looking back at Gridley as it snakes it's way up the mountain
Taking a breather from the relentless climb
The top of Gridley at just under two hours
After reaching the top of Gridley we then had a really steep last leg up to Nordhoff peak. One mile, 630ft with an average 10% grade on a fire road, but the payoff was awesome.
Scott and your truly enjoying the breeze and the views from the lookout tower on Nordhoff peak
One last look back at Gridley before heading down to Pratt
Nordhoff was a great hang out place was but now it was time to head on down to what we came for.
Pratt is rated as a double black diamond single track that features some tight switchbacks, rock gardens, and exposure. Unfortunately we were having too much fun here to stop and take a lot of pictures. Pratt starts out smooth and flowy and gradually gets more technical the further down you go. Upper Pratt ends at cozy dell fire road, but here we followed the directions in the book to a single track called Foothill trail. This single track is a better option to rejoin lower Pratt, rather than taking a boring fire road.
Rejoining Pratt trail
Scott starting down the lower section of Pratt
The lower section of Pratt requires full commitment. Some sections are a long series of rock steps with some wood ties thrown in. By the time we came out at the end of Pratt, my arms felt like I had done 150 push ups or more
Getting back to the car was a series of rolling climbs on Valley View fire road.
Back at the car after an awesome ride
As you can see, the fact that we were there early in the morning meant we were able to score a spot in this tiny parking lot.
Ride stats:
- 16.6mi
Distance
- 3:09:52
Moving Time
- 4,312ft
