Biker Jones 27 Posted June 29, 2022 Hey all. Like many others I have been riding the tarmac for decades, and now at 54 due to vortex of events in my life, I bought a Yamaha XT250. I have been a very serious mountain biker in the past and I have already found that there are some transferrable skills. On the XT250 I rode most of Bear Valley OHV area two weekends ago and last weekend rode up Sheepshead road from Buckman Springs and then explored a bit of Corral Canyon OHV. This Sunday I plan to ride up Kitchen creek because I've never been. I love that I have a "go anywhere" bike now. It's my jam. I'm very curious about riding the Kernan Cycle Trail that connects Bear Valley and Corral canyon. I'm interested to ride anything I can ride to. I'm not too interested in transporting, my bike to ride somewhere at this point. There is lots to explore here in the Cleveland Nat. Forest and the nearby desert areas. Or so it looks on Google maps. LOL. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj54x 57 Posted June 29, 2022 Welcome neighbor! I learned to ride dirt bikes at 53 after coming from street bikes. I take Kernan to get to Coral Canyon pretty often and I'm looking forward to riding with you. Ken Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ECDave 92 Posted June 29, 2022 welcome to the forum. you have the perfect place in Pine Valley to start rides from . i havent been on Kernan in about 25 years, but i remember it is FUN! you should hit up the site before riding to see if you can get someone to ride with you. I have met some awesome and interesting people here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biker Jones 27 Posted June 29, 2022 24 minutes ago, ECDave said: welcome to the forum. you have the perfect place in Pine Valley to start rides from . i havent been on Kernan in about 25 years, but i remember it is FUN! you should hit up the site before riding to see if you can get someone to ride with you. I have met some awesome and interesting people here. Thanks. Yeah, just moved to Pine Valley a couple months ago and started MTB riding again and quickly realized I'm not the 25 yo competitive rider anymore and if I want to explore the numerous trails here, a dual-sport would be best. This was the real impetus that got me to address the off-road bug that has been festering in mind for some time. That and watching movies and YouTube vids of world explorers like The Long Way Down and ItchyBoots. I'm shocked it has taken me this long to discover off-road moto riding. Like I wrote, a vortex of events, including a part-time job at a moto shop in El Cajon, has led me here. I have upgrades to my suspension and ergonomics on my XT already on the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riggerdan 147 Posted June 29, 2022 Hi from Jamul PV is an excellent spot to work out of for sure I frequent laguna on the MTB, one of my fav's Looking to get a few MTB rides in as the temps drop a little in the next few days. If you are interested lmk. Great place to ride in the PM if you have some lights.. We all have our vortexes. I'm a little out of shape on the bike but snap back pretty quick Welcome to the site Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biker Jones 27 Posted June 29, 2022 46 minutes ago, Riggerdan said: Hi from Jamul PV is an excellent spot to work out of for sure I frequent laguna on the MTB, one of my fav's Looking to get a few MTB rides in as the temps drop a little in the next few days. If you are interested lmk. Great place to ride in the PM if you have some lights.. We all have our vortexes. I'm a little out of shape on the bike but snap back pretty quick Welcome to the site I briefly resided up off Mother Grundy Trk Trl earlier this year. With my XT I finally travelled the length of it. There are some offshoot roads up there, but they are marked private, no trespassing. They look like legit through roads otherwise, wondering if they are really private or just a way to keep down traffic. I'm thinking of Lucky Six Truck Trail in particular and I'm curious about the Lake Barrett road. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 559 Posted June 29, 2022 Barrett Lake Road is gated and closed. Also, Kitchen Creek has a locked border Patrol gate up by the campground so you can't ride up to Sunrise Hwy Welcome to the forums ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biker Jones 27 Posted June 29, 2022 1 hour ago, KTMrad said: Barrett Lake Road is gated and closed. Also, Kitchen Creek has a locked border Patrol gate up by the campground so you can't ride up to Sunrise Hwy Welcome to the forums ! Well, fudgecicles! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shutterrev 512 Posted June 29, 2022 Welcome, and same here - rode street bikes, track days etc..... till I tried dirt and now I can't get enough I'm in Lakeside, ride a 690. Rubber side down. Nick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 559 Posted June 29, 2022 41 minutes ago, Biker Jones said: Well, fudgecicles! Well, there may be some access to Barrett Lake, but not sure if it's from Japatul or from Barrett Junction. https://www.sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes/barrett-reservoir Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greenhorn 13 Posted June 29, 2022 All general road access to Barrett Lake is gated. Fishing is by reservation only and trip down to the lake from Japatul Rd is escorted. If fact you can only exit by escort at certain intervals of the day as the gate remains locked only opened and closed by the escort vehicle. The (what was Honor Camp) road off Japatul is also gated. Barrett Lake Rd is also gated just past the trailer park as I recall. There is some access toward not to, the lake via Houser Canyon, but that's limited and locals keep an eye on things. If your up for a hike instead of a ride you can start at Lake Morena and make your way to the end of the Houser Canyon arm at the lake. It's quite a hike. About 2/3 of the way down there is a memorial for Marines who lost there lives fighting a fire there in 1943. There is also an old small WPA dam. If your into hiking it's a good one. About the Memorial More than 70 Marines from the Pine Valley training camp and the 10th Army Buffalo Soldiers Cavalry Regiment from Camp Lockett fought the fire on 10/2/43, building indirect handline in the steep drainage. When the strong Santa Anas (E winds) diminished, the normal canyon SW winds increased, reversing the direction of the fire and pushing the marines up into Hauser Canyon. Their retreat to a safe area was cut off. Almost all were caught and injured; 4 outran the fire. 9 Marines and 1 Army soldier (and possibly 1 civilian) were overrun and died. https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2007/jan/18/remote-hauser-canyon-between-lake-morena-and-campo/ I used to know the area quite well, I have a bit of history with Barrett junction, the lake and the surrounding area. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biker Jones 27 Posted June 30, 2022 I had no idea about that event. I do like to hike. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moto_rph 178 Posted June 30, 2022 Hey Biker Jones! I'm sure we'll get together on a trail sometime....welcome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wierdrider 189 Posted June 30, 2022 Welcome Biker Jones, see ya on the trail sometime 👍 Just watch out for those darn BIG BIKES!!!🤣 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj54x 57 Posted June 30, 2022 Mr Jones, if you want to ride out of Pine Valley on Sunday morning, maybe 8:00?, I would be game to take the Kernan to Corral Canyon sense the weather will be nice. I know all the cool spots. Let me know and we could post in the informal rides section 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biker Jones 27 Posted July 1, 2022 CJ54X, Yes. Please. Just be warned. I'm a noob and excited to learn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ECDave 92 Posted July 2, 2022 want a 3rd person? sounds like fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shutterrev 512 Posted July 2, 2022 Have a good ride guys 🤘maybe i'll join the next time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj54x 57 Posted July 2, 2022 sounds good, I'll see you guys at the Cul-de-sac at 8:00 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biker Jones 27 Posted July 2, 2022 Okay. I'm stoked! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple 10 Posted July 3, 2022 Would love to go but since it's anniversary weekend for me I gotta pass. I always wanted to do that run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ECDave 92 Posted July 3, 2022 Apple, any time you have time, get on here a couple days in advance and see what you can get going. we need to bring back the group ride part of this forum!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple 10 Posted July 4, 2022 Absolutely. Riding solo for the last year or so and it's getting old. Enough of that! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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