Cesar scouted out the second half of the first recon ride by skipping Viejas Grade and went from Descanso up to Indian Creek.
But just like the rest of us on the first ride, he had to bail after he ran out of water because it was so toasty 🔥
Turns out Indian Creek is too advanced of a trail for a bikepacking trip, especially for newbies on a time schedule. So that option is out for everyone on the recon team 🚫
These are the kind of things the recon rides were meant to test and make us adjust the plans, so good job to everyone that tackled these hard ass practice runs 🫡
Now we have a different route from Descanso up through Kitchen Creek which is a long and steady gravel road, instead of steep and technical terrain.
⚠️ Heads up that even this alternate path is still a long climb, especially when carrying a full load for camping.
A more truncated option is probably a good idea for anyone coming up in one shot on Sunday (like Melissa) or saving their energy for a long ride back on Monday (like me). I plan on skipping Viejas Grade and starting further east, either at Descanso or even closer to the Kitchen Creek trailhead itself, like at the Buckman Springs Rest Area.