huskertriguy - May 30, 2021 12:14 am Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2021
Proceed with caution
My initial intention was to attempt Big Pine Mountain -- and, my legs permitting, Caliente Mountain. However, the area was getting pummeled by precipitation. I had already paid for a mountain bike rental, so I decided to head for Big Pine Mountain and hope for the best. By the time I reached the lower gate at Big Pine Mountain (still locked this time of year, as expected), the rain had turned to snow. I was not really equipped for these conditions, and it seemed a guarantee that I would not make it far before finding the trail impassable for bike besides.
I resigned myself to having to leave Big Pine Mountain for another day. Caliente did not seem a reasonable option unless I wanted to tear up the trail (which I did not), and I wanted to make the most out of my mountain bike rental. Since every option seemed to be a muddy mess anyway, I decided I might as well go for Table Mountain under cover of night.
I arrived at the typical starting point, roughly a mile from the gate, at about 10 p.m. and prepared to set on my way. The first mile of paved road flew by, after which I reached the first gate and had to maneuver the bike under the fence before climbing over.
The next few miles were relatively flat, with the vast fields of solar panels on either side of the road giving an eerie feel. As I approached the lights of the work site, my heart rate quickened. No one seemed to be around, but I skirted my way around quietly and wasting no time at all. It is worth noting that there was a solid presence of earthmoving and construction equipment. Whether this work will hinder or improve accessibility (all signs pointing to the former), time will tell.
From the work site, the road shot up the hillside. I was able to pedal for the next mile or so before having to get off the saddle and walk the bike. The pedaling seemed especially laborious, and pushing the bike uphill equally so. I then realized the cause: mud had clogged up the drivetrain, wheels, and brakes, to the point that the wheels would not even spin when suspended in the air. I cleared the mud and hopped on the saddle again, making it only a short distance before the problem resurfaced. Clearly I would just have to walk the bike uphill.
It was not until I was well out of sight of the lights of the worksite that I turned on my headlamp and bike light for the very first time.
I cannot recall whether it is two or three gates I carried the bike over and crawled over. After a gate near the crest of the hill, the terrain leveled out and I was able to pedal again, yet still with effort as the mud was constant. Eventually I reached the fence adjacent to the high point. It was either 2 or 3 fences here, and it took me a little searching to find the benchmark and register.
I rarely sign registers, but I often like to give them a cursory look to see if I recognize any familiar names and to see when the last visitors were present before me. Inside the register was a menacing note from what I assume was a property owner, stating that intruders had been spotted on camera and while the writer was out of town previously, they would surely be present to "rain hell upon" future visitors. I took this as my cue to leave.
Suffice to say I hauled ass outta there. Yet even pedaling downhill required significant effort, as letting up for just a moment would result in me grinding to a halt. I gritted my teeth through the mud and rocks being kicked up toward my face, hoping to beat any would-be hell-rainer-uponer to the rental vehicle. I made the full ride back without my lights, continuing in full ninja mode.
Once past the work site and on the level terrain, the mud greatly decreased. Still, I never let up, and I was relieved to hit the pavement, where a fast pace helped shed residual chunks of mud and rock from the wheels. Back at the vehicle, I hurriedly packed it in and drove the hell away from there, stopping to sleep at a park outside SLO until daylight. The endeavor car-to-car took just under 4 hours.
Fletch - Dec 17, 2017 10:17 am Date Climbed: Dec 15, 2017
Solar Field is up and running
Long and cold night...
trexkerry - Jan 4, 2015 10:50 pm Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2015
3 Peak Day
Table in the afternoon followed by Three Peaks and Johnson Peak by full moon.
davidsanger - Dec 27, 2014 10:46 pm Date Climbed: Dec 27, 2014
Daytime hike
Dropped off for early morning hike at end of Turkey Flat Road. Standard ranch road route to the summit. Found benchmark and signed register. Sadly the area is slated for a large solar power facility which the local ranchers are all fighting.
cjrandall - May 16, 2013 1:45 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2008
Full moon night hike
Met up with fellow county highpointer Rob Greene in Salinas and carpooled down to Turkey Flat Road on a clear night with full moon. Rob navigated via well-mapped out GPS track and had no problems getting to the summit and directly to the BM. No issues, and had a great time.
mrchad9 - Nov 29, 2012 1:02 pm Date Climbed: Dec 1, 2006
Quiet
Quiet night with an almost full moon.
Bob Burd - May 4, 2012 12:19 pm Date Climbed: Feb 17, 2006
huskertriguy - May 30, 2021 12:14 am Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2021
Proceed with cautionMy initial intention was to attempt Big Pine Mountain -- and, my legs permitting, Caliente Mountain. However, the area was getting pummeled by precipitation. I had already paid for a mountain bike rental, so I decided to head for Big Pine Mountain and hope for the best. By the time I reached the lower gate at Big Pine Mountain (still locked this time of year, as expected), the rain had turned to snow. I was not really equipped for these conditions, and it seemed a guarantee that I would not make it far before finding the trail impassable for bike besides.
I resigned myself to having to leave Big Pine Mountain for another day. Caliente did not seem a reasonable option unless I wanted to tear up the trail (which I did not), and I wanted to make the most out of my mountain bike rental. Since every option seemed to be a muddy mess anyway, I decided I might as well go for Table Mountain under cover of night.
I arrived at the typical starting point, roughly a mile from the gate, at about 10 p.m. and prepared to set on my way. The first mile of paved road flew by, after which I reached the first gate and had to maneuver the bike under the fence before climbing over.
The next few miles were relatively flat, with the vast fields of solar panels on either side of the road giving an eerie feel. As I approached the lights of the work site, my heart rate quickened. No one seemed to be around, but I skirted my way around quietly and wasting no time at all. It is worth noting that there was a solid presence of earthmoving and construction equipment. Whether this work will hinder or improve accessibility (all signs pointing to the former), time will tell.
From the work site, the road shot up the hillside. I was able to pedal for the next mile or so before having to get off the saddle and walk the bike. The pedaling seemed especially laborious, and pushing the bike uphill equally so. I then realized the cause: mud had clogged up the drivetrain, wheels, and brakes, to the point that the wheels would not even spin when suspended in the air. I cleared the mud and hopped on the saddle again, making it only a short distance before the problem resurfaced. Clearly I would just have to walk the bike uphill.
It was not until I was well out of sight of the lights of the worksite that I turned on my headlamp and bike light for the very first time.
I cannot recall whether it is two or three gates I carried the bike over and crawled over. After a gate near the crest of the hill, the terrain leveled out and I was able to pedal again, yet still with effort as the mud was constant. Eventually I reached the fence adjacent to the high point. It was either 2 or 3 fences here, and it took me a little searching to find the benchmark and register.
I rarely sign registers, but I often like to give them a cursory look to see if I recognize any familiar names and to see when the last visitors were present before me. Inside the register was a menacing note from what I assume was a property owner, stating that intruders had been spotted on camera and while the writer was out of town previously, they would surely be present to "rain hell upon" future visitors. I took this as my cue to leave.
Suffice to say I hauled ass outta there. Yet even pedaling downhill required significant effort, as letting up for just a moment would result in me grinding to a halt. I gritted my teeth through the mud and rocks being kicked up toward my face, hoping to beat any would-be hell-rainer-uponer to the rental vehicle. I made the full ride back without my lights, continuing in full ninja mode.
Once past the work site and on the level terrain, the mud greatly decreased. Still, I never let up, and I was relieved to hit the pavement, where a fast pace helped shed residual chunks of mud and rock from the wheels. Back at the vehicle, I hurriedly packed it in and drove the hell away from there, stopping to sleep at a park outside SLO until daylight. The endeavor car-to-car took just under 4 hours.
Fletch - Dec 17, 2017 10:17 am Date Climbed: Dec 15, 2017
Solar Field is up and runningLong and cold night...
trexkerry - Jan 4, 2015 10:50 pm Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2015
3 Peak DayTable in the afternoon followed by Three Peaks and Johnson Peak by full moon.
davidsanger - Dec 27, 2014 10:46 pm Date Climbed: Dec 27, 2014
Daytime hikeDropped off for early morning hike at end of Turkey Flat Road. Standard ranch road route to the summit. Found benchmark and signed register. Sadly the area is slated for a large solar power facility which the local ranchers are all fighting.
cjrandall - May 16, 2013 1:45 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2008
Full moon night hikeMet up with fellow county highpointer Rob Greene in Salinas and carpooled down to Turkey Flat Road on a clear night with full moon. Rob navigated via well-mapped out GPS track and had no problems getting to the summit and directly to the BM. No issues, and had a great time.
mrchad9 - Nov 29, 2012 1:02 pm Date Climbed: Dec 1, 2006
QuietQuiet night with an almost full moon.
Bob Burd - May 4, 2012 12:19 pm Date Climbed: Feb 17, 2006
Turkey Flat RdA nighttime visit with Matt Worster. Trip Report.
David Naylor - May 4, 2012 12:44 am Date Climbed: Apr 5, 2012
Nighthike.17 mile solo near full-moon night hike following powerlines. Started about a mile from Cholane Valley Road.