There's Gold In Them Hills, Or Maybe Not

[Agent2]

Decided to do a little mountain biking in the hills, as well as get some pics of some abandoned stuff.

Heading out, a nice fire road to start off

A photo of the bee sanctuary, had everything but bees, guess they were out and about

Hmmm

Crossing a raging So Cal river

Up top is the destination

The entrance, no more easy fire road

Heading up

This outcrop is pretty high up

Reason I say that is because of these cool fossils of seashells in the outcrop

This is interesting to this story because if my amateur geology is correct, this is sedimentary rock, pretty much everything around here is sedimentary rock, I don't think this is what you are looking for if you are a gold prospector.

 

[Agent2]

The first piece of machinery, I am guessing a crusher, kind of a mini version of a stamp mill, what do you think?

Heading even higher

Getting a little green up here

Second stop, a little tractor and an engine on a stand

Heading up higher, almost at the top, there is this bad boy

This thing is way up there, two shots from the same place, 180 degrees apart

 

[Agent2]

I've driven front end loaders, and 18 wheelers, not sure how long I would have lasted operating this thing. No air, heat - other than the sun blazing down, no power anything, just solid steel.

Builders plate on the back, anyone know anything about this bucket, especially when it might have been built?

I am guessing this was a small gold mining prospect that went bust. Not exactly a hot spot for gold mining, not sure what else they could have been looking for.
The ridge top wasn't too far from the equipment, decided to try to get there. been a few years since a wildfire has gone through here, so the going got a little tough

The ridge line, as well as some views of a canyon I haven't checked out yet. Not sure if it's ranch property, or gas company property, only one way to tell. Damn, it's pretty up here

Time to head back, downhill is a blast

The sign of an awesome trail ride

All in all, a fun day, with a new area to check out next ride.

 

[CDA]

That's my backyard. You start off of Morning Sky?

 

[Agent2]

That's my backyard. You start off of Morning Sky?

Evening Sky. Looking at Google earth, it seems that Chivo Canyon or maybe Mar Ranch will get me into that valley I was looking at from the top, have you been up either, and are they gated?

 

[SRAD97750]

That is awesome. Great stuff!!! -BIG DAN

 

[rezrider]

The first piece of machinery, I am guessing a crusher, kind of a mini version of a stamp mill, what do you think?

Heading even higher

Getting a little green up here

Second stop, a little tractor and an engine on a stand

Heading up higher, almost at the top, there is this bad boy

This thing is way up there, two shots from the same place, 180 degrees apart

Cool stuff A2... that "backhoe" looks like it was an accident waiting to happen back i nthe day... an engine behind the op, spinning wheels on both sides and cables overhead and in front...

 

[Travace]

cool stuff.

 

[CDA]

Evening Sky. Looking at Google earth, it seems that Chivo Canyon or maybe Mar Ranch will get me into that valley I was looking at from the top, have you been up either, and are they gated?

No I normally drop in at Las Llayas Cyn and take it up to the "Y" and keep climbing up Rocky Peak. I then drop back down Chumash to the car. I know when I have been riding down Rocky Peak, there is a single track that drops off the side and I believe it takes you down to Topanga.

Next time you're into an adventure up that way let me know and I'll see if I can meet you and tag along.

 

[Agent2]

No I normally drop in at Las Llayas Cyn and take it up to the "Y" and keep climbing up Rocky Peak. I then drop back down Chumash to the car. I know when I have been riding down Rocky Peak, there is a single track that drops off the side and I believe it takes you down to Topanga.

Next time you're into an adventure up that way let me know and I'll see if I can meet you and tag along.

By "the wye" I am guessing you are talking about by the windmill, left fork to the ranch, right up the hill, past the oil tanks? That hill kills me, can only do it in cool temps, and could really use an oxygen tank at the top. Next to the concrete water cistern at the top is a fossil bed with thousands of shells, they are everywhere. I believe the trail to Topanga you mentioned is Johnson Motorway, it's really fun (but overgrown towards the bottom), halfway down is the remains of a house with fantastic views. The trail ends in the exclusive gated community by the 118. The trail has an easement through the community, they don't advertise it, but if you go to the guard gate off Iverson and say you are biking the trail, they have to let you in.
A ride sounds good, but you will spend a lot of time waiting for me to catch up....

 

[rezrider]

By "the wye" I am guessing you are talking about by the windmill, left fork to the ranch, right up the hill, past the oil tanks? That hill kills me, can only do it in cool temps, and could really use an oxygen tank at the top. Next to the concrete water cistern at the top is a fossil bed with thousands of shells, they are everywhere. I believe the trail to Topanga you mentioned is Johnson Motorway, it's really fun (but overgrown towards the bottom), halfway down is the remains of a house with fantastic views. The trail ends in the exclusive gated community by the 118. The trail has an easement through the community, they don't advertise it, but if you go to the guard gate off Iverson and say you are biking the trail, they have to let you in.
A ride sounds good, but you will spend a lot of time waiting for me to catch up....

This sounds familiar......

 

[Weathergeek]

 

[CDA]

By "the wye" I am guessing you are talking about by the windmill, left fork to the ranch, right up the hill, past the oil tanks? That hill kills me, can only do it in cool temps, and could really use an oxygen tank at the top. Next to the concrete water cistern at the top is a fossil bed with thousands of shells, they are everywhere. I believe the trail to Topanga you mentioned is Johnson Motorway, it's really fun (but overgrown towards the bottom), halfway down is the remains of a house with fantastic views. The trail ends in the exclusive gated community by the 118. The trail has an easement through the community, they don't advertise it, but if you go to the guard gate off Iverson and say you are biking the trail, they have to let you in.
A ride sounds good, but you will spend a lot of time waiting for me to catch up....

Yeah that is the climb. It is brutal and a long one at that. I have not done this trail you took pictures of, but now I am curious, so it looks like I may have to venture up that way in the next week or two and check it out. I think if I am correct, the single track you climbed, is right by the bee habitat and the Firemen dude/chick thing in the creek?

You will be surprised at how much we probably would be waiting for each other.

 

[CDA]

This sounds familiar......

 

[CDA]

Yeah that is the climb. It is brutal and a long one at that. I have not done this trail you took pictures of, but now I am curious, so it looks like I may have to venture up that way in the next week or two and check it out. I think if I am correct, the single track you climbed, is right by the bee habitat and the Firemen dude/chick thing in the creek?

You will be surprised at how much we probably would be waiting for each other.

Check that, it is passed the second creek crossing and then up that little incline and trail head is on the left. I need to go check it out now. Looks like the trail dies out on top by the big tracktor machine dealio, but you can kind of make out where it looks like it can go. I need to go exploring now.... Where are those electric MX bikes when you need one.