First off, thanks to all the Vets out there, along with those that didn't make it home. It's because of you that we get today off!

I sent this e-mail out to a few like minded buddies, to see if I couldn't sucker them in for a little fun;

"Anyone into a little adventure ride for Monday?

Figured it's time to go back and ride the whole Smash Face trail. The WS guys did some work on it recently, and I'm thinking we need to go check it out.

I mention adventure because here's how it went last time we tried this ride; http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/trail-talk/8887-blackstar-smashface-aaarrrrr.html



Let me know if you're in!

Sanjay, you know you want to do this, so I'm counting you down as a YES, whether you like it or not!


Crash Maxwell "

And can you believe it, I only got three takers!

Sanjay met up with me here at the house at 7:30am, and we met Dave and Craig across the street from the Silverado Community Center at 8.

The climb up Blackstar was pretty uneventful, but we had great temps. Once we hit Beeks we took a little break, and ran into a couple of the "old school" WS guys. They to were also heading to Smashface.

BIG thanks to a group those guys! They set up a couple of work days, and really brought this trail back to life! I was disappointed when things happened, and I missed out on helping. But I'll say it right here. I owe you guys some time for what you did. And you know I'm good for it.

We started our climb up Main Divide, and what do you know. We get caught by Denmo, Roger, Winston and the crew!
They looked like they were getting ready to have a GREAT time!

We were in for a great time also. We just had to work a bit more for it!


Dave was our first casualty for the day. Dave can fly down hill. I'm not talking about XC fast downhill, I'm talking downhill race fast, downhill. Well, he got a little too relaxed, and the "Pain" Divide introduced its self.

Dave, that's gonna leave a mark!


He was a bit scraped up, but fine all the same.

Once we reached our destination, we padded up and got ready to ride.

Sanjay and Dave are happy. This ain't no park ride!



Then somebody decided we need a little longer break.

Don't bother me boys. I'm getting my sun on!


It never coiled up, just laid there all relaxed. It finally scooted on into the brush. We picked the bikes up and started to get ready to roll, and it decided it didn't like that side with all the shade.

Hold on guys. I'm going over here instead. Have a nice day!



Now we're rolling........

Smashface starts off a lot like my other favorite Santa Ana trails. Fast flowy, and loose. It follows the old power line trails down the ridge. Man, it's just a BLAST to ride!

Sanjay


Dave


Craig


After a bit of the flowy ridge, things get steep. I'd say it easily steeper than the bottom parts of Coldwater, and very close to the steeps on Yeager, just not a tight.

Look at the picture below. We actually get to ride under the power tower above Craig. That'll give you an idea of how fast it drops away.

Craig getting his steep on!



Look way up in the left hand corner. You can see where we're headed.


Here's where the trail work that the Warrior Society guys did really stands out. They did a GREAT job doing the re-route that hooks up with the HIKE-A-BIKE.

Dave and Sanjay enjoying the shade. It's getting ready to disappear.



That's right. I said HIKE-A-BIKE. HAB!!

Anyone that rides with me knows I'm a firm believer, that every great ride, has a good HAB involved.

Smashface did not disappoint!


The wild flowers were still going off! Oh, and so was the HAB!


The cool thing about riding ridge trails. You can look back, and see what you've ridden.

Our DHing started at the antennas in the far left corner, and headed down through the tower of power!




Oh, and that "little" HAB. It almost done!

Craig rides with me. He knows......


Once at the top, we padded up again (no snakes this time) and got ready to head down to the cars.

A nice view of Silverado Canyon, and where our cars are.


The thing I've learned about trails with a good HAB involved. There is a 99% chance that the down is gonna be FUN!

Crosses was a LOT OF FUN!

For those that gave us this day, I salute you!


So, our little adventure turned out to be a GREAT ride! I think we all crashed at one point or another, but no one got hurt, just a bit scrapped up.
I'm really glad I got to finally hit this whole trail.
It didn't disappoint, and I will be back!

DFT, we'll definitely be hitting this when you get back in Country!