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Ride Summary:
A trail with long climbs and rewarding descents.
Trail Description:
Ride through the lower section of Holy Jim Canyon. You will pass some houses and cross several streams. At the T turn left then left again at the next one. Here you begin your steep climb and approach a series of over 12 very technical switchbacks. Continue this rigorous climb over 5 miles until you have to hike-a-bike up a short 100 foot section to reach the Main Divide. After this exhausting climb you can either journey down and enjoy the fruits of your labor or Turn right on the Main Divide and enjoy approximately 5 miles of roller coaster riding with some steep climbs, you will come to Tabuco Canyon Trail described below. This is an excellent downhill which weaves in and out of overgrown trees. Be careful of the loose rock towards the bottom. When you get to the lower canyon keep heading down towards the main road you drove in on and you will reach your car at the Holy Jim trail head. This entire ride will take a fairly strong rider 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
Cooks Corner is the local hangout of mountain bikers. It's a great place to grab a cold one and a burger after a hard, hot ride.
How to get there:
Exit Interstate 5 at El Toro Road and head east into the hills for about 7.6 miles. You will eventually come to a fork and El Toro splits into Live Oak Canyon Road on the Right and Santiago Canyon Road on the Left. Take note of the battered old restaurant on the corner. Cooks Corner is the local hangout of mountain bike riders, roadies, and Harley riders alike. It's a great place to grab a cold one and a burger after a hard ride. Take a right at this junction, after about 2 miles you will pass O'neil Park and see a dry creek bed on the left. This is the entrance to Trabuco Canyon. Drive about 4-5 miles just past the Holy Jim Canyon Firehouse. You will soon see the Mouth of Holy Jim Canyon where you will park.
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| Posted by: Rodrigo on 3/22/2012 |
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(Paperback) FROMMER'S SEATTLE is a great book about the Seattle, Washington area. It features lots of info about arercetion, dining, nightlife, shopping, sightseeing, and culture, as well as interesting side trips and information for foreign travelers. The only problem with this book is that it doesn't go into detail about shopping malls and music stores. However, if you get it in conjunction with the INSIDERS' GUIDE and NEWCOMER'S HANDBOOK series, as well as several other guides, you'll have everything you need to know about Seattle at your fingertips.
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| Posted by: So Cal Barker on 3/7/2007 |
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The most enjoyable and engaging ride I've ever experienced... This ride can take you up to Santiago peak. The switch backs are insane and you've got to cross the river a few times. The ride requests a conditioned biker, which great endurance. There are areas where the margin of error is critical and the cliffs are steep, with poison ivy dangling all over. Bring a camera, the views are majestic!
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| Posted by: David Stainton on 12/6/1999 |
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This is a great trail when put together with Trabuco Canyon trial. Ride Holy Jim trail to the top of the ridgeline. At that point you want to take a left on the forest service dirt road and ride it approximately six miles to the Trabuco canyon trail on your left. Take that trail down to the parking lot. Trabuco trail is difficult but a blast down hill. Do not try to climb Trabuco; you will end up pushing your bike up some of the trail. Holy Jim is a great climb and an outstanding downhill if you do not want to spend the extra time to take the loop ride.
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| Posted by: Jason on 11/30/1999 |
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When I got to the fire road at the main divide and found that I could see Catalinia from one end to the other, I said, "HOLY JIM!" It's a breath taking view. I did it for the first time today. It's a beautiful ride from top to bottom. You see mossy stream crossings, blankets of ivy spilling down canyon walls, vast open views of the surrounding hills, and a lot more. But the view from the top....astonishing. If you continue on that fire road, don't get too comfy. You still got a lotta climbing to do, Jack. Take it far enough, and you'll get to a flat spot surrounded by rickety old iron fences. Turn right on the trail just before the clearing. (this is HorseThief canyon but the sign says, "611W" or something to that effect) Take that canyon all the way down to Trabuco canyon and hang a right. On the way down you'll find some rippin' single track that you just can't help but go fast throug
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| Posted by: SoCal Wrider on 10/29/1999 |
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This is a great ride. Lots of singletrack and swithcbakcs. Beware of the poison oak! I'd rate it more of an advanced skill ride rather than weekend warrior.
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