Day 8: Ride from Pacheco Camp to China Hole
I've never explored the part of the Park on today's route, so I'm looking forward to it. My route is simple enough: just stay on Coit Road (which becomes Mahoney Meadows Road) and then head down China Hole Trail to the bottom.
I've studied my maps well (it's a useful activity that can be done at night in a tent) and know that there is a fair amount of uphill riding that I hope the 10-ton bike will agree to. Still, I might have to drag the bike up a few segments, not sure. Also, the singletrack downhill China Hole might have some steep edges that require extra care.
This should be a nice day.
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Date: September 02, 2007, 09h49
Size: 31 items
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My second and last morning at Pacheco Camp.
I'm hoping to leave myself enough time to take another shower this morning before leaving.
Date: September 02, 2007, 09h49
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At the top of the first ridge on Coit Road (around 2400 feet), I note a spur road leading to a look-off that is not on my map.
I managed to pedal most of the 1.5-mile grade up Coit Road from Pacheco Camp to the first ridge 700 feet above.
Date: September 02, 2007, 14h18
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View from the look-off just off Coit Road.
Gorgeous view across Pacheco Ridge and beyond to areas that I haven't visited yet. Makes me want to go change my route and head that way instead.
Date: September 02, 2007, 14h17
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A fun short descent down the next hill on Coit Road passes the Fish and Game Pond at the bottom of the canyon.
After the Fish and Game Pond, the road stays in the canyon for a short distance, passes Coit Lake, and then rises a third of a mile to the next ridge.
Date: September 02, 2007, 14h27
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Coit Road crosses Willow Ridge Road on top of the next ridge at about 2250 feet.
I haven't seen this end of Willow Ridge Road before. I won't be seeing any more of it today either because I'm heading down the next hill toward Kelly Lake.
Date: September 02, 2007, 14h44
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The 3/4 mile drop down into the canyon to Kelly Lake, 450 feet below, was fun.
Now I'm starting the longer climb out the other side toward Mahoney Ridge.
Date: September 02, 2007, 14h57
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I stop on this switchback on the way up Coit Road from Kelly Lake to look back on my route.
Looking back down to Kelly Lake, I can see the ridge in the background (with Willow Ridge Road on top) that I just rode over.
Date: September 02, 2007, 15h05
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Higher up Coit Road heading toward the junction of Wasno Road.
This is a hot location for a break, with almost no shade. But I find the area really scenic, so I stop here and walk around a bit (and consume another energy bar).
Date: September 02, 2007, 15h31
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Regeneration of a previously burned area (perhaps a prescribed burn).
It looks like a lot of the burned brush may have been chamise, but I see a lot of young coyote bushes popping up.
Date: September 02, 2007, 15h32
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