"Smells like crap" - 9/16/10 - El Nido Preserve - Ojai (oh hi!), CA

- Trailhead: Chaparral Crest Loop

- Riders: Hector, OMMB

- Distance: 7 miles

- Temp: 87 at trailhead, much cooler in the woods

- Weather: dry, hot, clear

- Trail Conditions: dry, dusty, some ruts, huge dry river crossing with boulders, nice shaded areas, some hike-a-bike hills
- Wildlife: no spiders, no snakes, no scorpions, two horses

Notes:  First off, finding the river crossing soon after entering the trailhead was the trickiest part.  Well only tricky if you don't stay on the main trail and jump down into a HUGE dry river bed too early.  Hike-a-bike was required for about 50 yards (or more).  I'm thinking, based on the creature I saw yesterday, and knowing what other creatures lurk under rocks and brush out here, what the frick are we doing?  Nevertheless, we made it across without any scorpion or rattlesnake encounters which were my biggest worry (that and wondering what else Hector the Tour Guide of Terror had in store for me).

The actual trails on the other side of the riverbed were great.  My first reaction when entering the wooded area was "what the heck is that?"...by far the smelliest trail I've ridden. After the first real sandy hike-a-bike climb my question was answered.  Horseshit, no bullshit.  Apparently the area is popular for horseback riding.  Well we met the source of this crap and turned out to be a very friendly horse (two actually, being walked by cowgirls, or is it more PC to call them cowpeople?).  He/she (I didn't bother to check) was out of the corral for the first time (must have been nervous, happens to me too).

We did an up and around loop and returned through a valley.  Plenty of climbing but a nice smooth downhill.  Good ride, good change of scenery.   

Tidbits: Hector is actually human....see him hike a bike!

Up a hill...

down a dry riverbank...




...and across the dry riverbed!

  
Happy Trails,

OMMB