RIP Sully Canyon
Thread started by
0gravity at 09.2.09 - 5:40 pm
Damn gas company starts this week obliterating one of the best local mountain bike trails, Sullivan Canyon. Single track becomes a 5 mile dirt road, 12 feet wide, all sorts of trees cut down, etc. Major bummer. It was fun while it lasted.
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that really blows... do they have any intention of restoring it?
snowcone09.2.09 - 5:56 pm
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Nah....in their eyes and the eyes of state regulators, what they are doing IS restoring it. There's a huge natural gas pipeline running through the whole canyon, connecting the west side with the Valley, and the company needs to (and has the right) to maintain it. And that means maintaining access, controlling run-off, covering exposed pipe, etc.
The work can't really be avoided, I guess, I just wish it didn't take a 12 foot wide road, concrete slabs, big mats, tree removal, etc. People who have been watching the process closer than I have say it's necessary but the work seems pretty heavy-handed and they were really sneaky and quiet about the run-up to it. It only became obvious to most users and most of the public last week even though its quietly been in planning for months and months.
I'm just glad I rode it like crazy the past few years when I was gonzo for mountain biking. I've chilled a bit since.
0gravity09.2.09 - 6:16 pm
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this really sucks, i'd been planning on trying this trail for a long time. so does this mean the road will be closed off to all people as well?
superblueman3 responding to a
comment by 0gravity
09.2.09 - 7:41 pm
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To bad angeles forest is charred no telling when those trails will open again and sullivan was the only trail worth doing on the west side. What the hell is happening to all the technical trails, I hate descendind fireroads this sucks big time.
novara09.2.09 - 7:52 pm
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While the work is being done it will be closed to everyone. But it will reopen once they're done their work. It will be mostly closed through this whole fall and open again in the spring to everyone. It's just that it won't be a nice single-track trail anymore.
0gravity responding to a
comment by superblueman3
09.3.09 - 12:10 am
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Is this on the west side only? I did not see anything posted on the valley side and I ride by the trail head almost every day.
rev106 responding to a
comment by 0gravity
09.3.09 - 8:13 am
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Sycamore has never been that technical / radical
Iv'e taken total beginers there to get them introduced to Mtn biking.
Good place for a bike date, park on the beach side and bring picnic supplies for after.
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by 0gravity
09.3.09 - 8:18 am
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Sure, it's definitely not all that technical/radical but it's pretty exciting taken down really fast at night with riding lights (so no one coming up). And there are some choice jumps, drops, log bunny-hops, etc. Yeah, it can be ridden by beginners, but it also had a lot to offer for good riders. Plus, removing Sully cyn takes a critical trail out from the loop options in the Santa Monicas, which makes for fewer bike date options.
0gravity responding to a
comment by Dedicated818
09.3.09 - 9:25 am
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Yeah this completely fucking sucks... MTBR has been discussing about how there is little that can be done. Members tried to step up, but...fuck... this was the perfect after work single track...
True Sullivan Canyon is not technical... its a beginner single track, but one thing you cant deny about it-- its FUN to ride. You can take Sullivan almost as fast as your *ahem* single speed will let you... Fuck this blows big time...
El Prieto is pretty much on fire or smoked out.... fucking air blows right now...
What are the other options for fall??
Westridge Fireroad (yawn)
Kenter Whoops (I wish)
Fuck....
Lets have protest ride tonight...????? (MTBR members did one recently before it closed)....
Ride to Sullivan??? I wonder how they blocked the trail... maybe we can go up westridge and come down Sullivan and hijack their bulldozers???? Im actually up for this... Id, need to get a stronger head light though... Fuck
I left a message to the following...
Councilman Bill Rosendahl
1645 Corinth Avenue
Room 201
West L.A., CA 90025
(310) 575-8461
Fax: (310) 575-8305
Councilman.Rosendahl@lacity.org
norman.kulla@lacity.org
md209.3.09 - 9:40 am
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Nir rips fast. I used to ride with him on the Wednesday night ride every week. Kinda been out of it lately.
Cool video but too bad he shot it straight into the sun most of the way down.
0gravity responding to a
comment by md2
09.3.09 - 10:20 am
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unless santa monica mountains have a hidden trail not posted or talked about anywhere, this trail was the most fun to my knowledge. The only trail that would get anybody from more than a few miles away to show up in the area. Im going to check chantry friday morning to see if that trail is also burnt or open if not its gonna only leave whittier nearby for jumps and other fun stuff. whittier actually has lots of hidden trails only locals really know about people should give that place a chance and explore it a few trails have insane jumps.
novara09.3.09 - 7:17 pm
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question: is there any way to get to the end of mandeville canyon from mulholland? i know it's a paved road but it looks awesomely long and fun and id love to come up and around from sepulveda
superblueman3 responding to a
comment by novara
09.4.09 - 12:12 am
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why not take Sepulveda to Mountain Gate, and then you can take that down Kenter. Or you can take another Canyonback (?) road (from mountain gate) up to Mulholland fireroad.
From there you can take Mulholland to the Nike Silo and just take the Madeville Fireroad down to Westridge... and back to the end of Mandeville....
and from there Sunset to Sepulveda...
In all... I dont think you can go from Mandeville to Mulholland (or vice versa) without trespassing.
maybe Im wrong.
md2 responding to a
comment by superblueman3
09.4.09 - 10:41 am
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Subject: Gas Company Sullivan Canyon Pipeline Protection Project
Please share this information with your association members and the public.
The Gas Company is pleased to announce it is completing the first phase of it's planned work in Sullivan Canyon by Friday, November 6, 2009. The maintenance road has been re-established and 10 pipeline exposures have been covered with protective revetment mats. The maintenance road now has the articulated concrete mats (revetment mats) in a few areas of the roadway to provide protection and covering for the pipelines. The public should exercise caution when crossing these areas with the revetment mats. By November 6th, the construction equipment and vehicles will be removed as well as ending the guard service.
Minor work to hydro-seed vegetation in certain areas will start the week of November 16th and last for approximately 2 weeks. This work will be during weekdays only from 8am - 5pm. The canyon will remain open to the public while this work is proceeding as cones will be placed and signage will be posted as a safety precaution due to the presence of vehicles and to protect the newly seeded areas. Occasionally a water truck may be used to water these areas to help the growth of the new plantings.
We wa nt to thank the public for its patience and courtesy while we worked to ensure the safe operation of our pipelines. The second phase of our project will start next year approximately in the spring to cover the remaining pipeline exposure areas and to finish the planting of vegetation and the sycamore seedlings.
We also wanted to share with you that our security guard, stationed at the northern end of the canyon, observed a small brush fire off of dirt road Mulholland on Friday, Oct. 31st at approximately 11 p.m. The fire was caused by a mylar balloon (silver metallic balloon) that was loose and touched the power line, creating sparks that set off a small brush fire. Our guard called 9-1-1 to report the fire which brought an immediate response from the Los Angeles Fire Department's air and land crews. The fire was limited to 1/2 acre. We are thankful that this guard was diligent, alert and responded quickly by calling in the Fire Department.
Thank you for your assistance in distributing the information.
Sharon O'Rourke
Public Affairs Manager
The Gas Company
8141 Gulana Ave.
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
(310) 578-2650
email: so'rourke@semprautilities.com
md211.5.09 - 3:37 pm
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Just wait til the next El Nino. I've been riding the Santa Monicas for over 20 years, olld roads gets maintained, the weather runs it's course, the roads get maintained again, it's a neverending cycle. Nothing to whine about.
toweliesbong responding to a
comment by md2
11.5.09 - 3:41 pm
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There are many trails that are more fun within 1/2 mile of Sullivan.
toweliesbong responding to a
comment by novara
11.5.09 - 3:43 pm
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what are you talking about????
I posted that the canyon is opening back up tomorrow...
you can start riding it.
md2 responding to a
comment by toweliesbong
11.5.09 - 3:47 pm
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I probably should have replied to one of the earlier posts. My comment wasn't directed at you.
toweliesbong responding to a
comment by md2
11.5.09 - 3:54 pm
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Hello I lead the Sunday morning weekly La Tuna Loop Ride at 8 am sharp. Feel free to join me any time. Im the bald guy with the Red truck and has the Giant Reign X and the White FUll Face helmet... Ive been doing lots of trail work here. Come challenge your self to this great 1800 feet of climbing in 3-4 miles. Then hit some sweet steep off shoots to a cool little single track...
pporras11.9.09 - 12:52 pm
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