mountain biking the skyline

[FIGHT ON]

I bet nobody wants mountain bikes up there. Do they even allow them on the tram?
Can you imagine kids with training wheels or trikes going up to the summit?

[FIGHT ON]

I've never seen the Skyline/C2C trail so I don't know what the terrain is like or if its even navigable on a bike.

You should go hike it first.

[Rick F]

Hiking it first without a bike is a very good suggestion.

I would never even consider taking a bike on the Tram. I'm reasonably certain the Tram operators would not let a bike get near the entrance. I don't believe bikes are allowed in State or National Parks and If I'm not mistaken the top Tram station is in a State Park. The general rule is that no mechanical devices are allowed in State or National Parks (unless on designated roads or highways) That's why I'm doing the research to find out where the boundaries are and how far up the Skyline trail bikes would be allowed. My objective for this type of trip in the past has been to bike/hike up as far as possible on bike friendly terrain then stash the bike and hike to the summit, descending back to the stashed bike for a fun and quick finish. I look at it like carrying my skis to the top when there's snow and then enjoying a nice ski-ride descent. The difference is that better skiing terrain is usually near the top where the snow is, better biking terrain is usually near the bottom where the wider, gentler single track is.

I also would not take a bike on a trail that is crowded with hikers. From what I have read, the Skyline trail is usually not very crowded. If nobody wants bikes on Skyline then nobody will take bikes on Skyline, right? I'll keep researching this to find out if bikes are prohibited on this trail. If bikes are not allowed I'll respect the rules.

Just some quick numbers on the vertical gain & the distance indicate that it may not be a good candidate for a ride. Assuming I could take a bike up most of the way to the tram station, about an 8,000 foot gain in 12 miles. That's about a 667 feet/mile average gradient. The steepest average gradients I've ridden down are Holy Jim Trail in the Santa Ana Mountains and Armstrong Pass south of Tahoe. These rides had lower average gradients, closer to 500 feet per mile. Although bikes are not allowed on the Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio, it does provide a good comparison for the "steepness". Vivian Creek has about 5,420 feet of gain/loss in 8 miles, which is similar to Skyline at about 678 feet per mile.

All good food for thought.

[bluerail]

hiking it is a good idea

[bluerail]

I meant that hiking it was a good idea.

[bluerail]

thats kinda looking like im high...

[Marknhj]

thats kinda looking like im high...

You're right, it does. Are you?

[doug m.]

rick- i've had the same idea. i think you could ride much of the trail up to flat rock, which is about 8 miles (?) in--but after that you'd just be dragging your bike up. it doesn't compare at all to holy jim, much steeper and way more technical.

and, like others have said, if anything goes wrong on the descent, you're screwed. there are many better options in the area. for starters, google the "palm canyon epic" ride. good luck.

[Rick F]

Doug M,

Thanks for sharing the info. The comparison to Holy Jim puts it in perspective for me. Before taking a bike to Skyline I'll hike it first to personally experience the terrain. Although, being able to coast down the last 8 miles would be a nice finish to a long hike.