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3 Canyons -Chariot/Oriflamme/Rodriguez
3 reviews
4.33 of 5
These 3 canyons form a 16 mile triangle with you climbing through the 1st (Chariot), descending into the 2nd (Oriflamme), and gradually rising back out of the 3rd (Rodriguez) to bring you back home. It takes you from the lush edge of the Lagunas, through transitional chaparrel, and finally to true desert - all in one ride! I clocked 2800' of elevation gain on this ride, so its a good workout, but nothing scary. Bring lots of water (at least 100oz)and food.
From Julian, continue on the Hwy 78 about 6.6miles east. Look for Chariot Canyon Access Road (unmarked, but an obvious dirt road entrance)on your rt just before mile marker 65.0 and the Banner Recreation Ranch Store on your left. Find parking.
Summary: I think this ride's lost a canyon somewhere along the way. When I did this ride, years ago, it was called the "four-canyons" ride and it was a 25-mile round trip. (I guess I need to look at a map of the area sometime and figure out which canyons it used to include.) Technically it wasn't difficult. I rode it on a hardtail and had no problems at all. Maybe it's gotten worse though. I recall that the upper section was a fun single track (above Banner grade), with the rest being mostly dirt roads all the way down to the desert.
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Summary: Can you say HOT, DRY, SANDY, and BORING? Almost no trees, sun scorching, and the ground is hard and overly rocky. Full suspension only. Hard tails is what I ride and this is not the trail for us. The down hill portion, going clockwise, will average you about 5mph because of excessive rocks and ruts. My recommendation, find somewhere else to ride.
I am an experienced rider and this is no place for a novice. Bring a lot of water. At least 2 qrts per/ person min.
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Summary: An intermediate network of fireroads for a decent non-technical workout. Hardtails welcome!
Recommended Route: A nice fireroad triangle, as the intro describes: Once you immediately start ascending Chariot canyon, you leave Banner Ranch below you and at about the 1.4 mile mark, you'll pass a road on your left. Thats rodriquez canyon road and thats where you'll come back out in about 3 hours (the trail is mainly a triangle, but could be described almost as a "lollipop" figure since you double back at the end over a mile and a half of road). At the 5 mile marker you'll desend into Oriflamme canyon. As you descend (see picture) you'll see where you'll be going ahead of you - it bottoms out below. Once you bottom out, you'll be making a sharp left at about 9 miles (you'll see the powerlines) and follow the lines and Rodriguez canyon back to your initial trail along Chariot canyon. Just make the sharp right turn back down the hill to Banner Ranch Recreation store.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Grapevine Canyon
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