Joplin Conditions July 7 2024 (new PR)

Going down Joplin on July 7, 2024. The upper/middle section is a bit bushy. Took a small slip on the trail but still managed to PR, which means there is yet more fat to trim.
This is one of our best Orange County mountain biking descents in the Santa Anas with over 2000' vertical of chunky and technical riding. Hiking and riding trails like these out in the Cleveland National Forest are maintained by other trail users who volunteer their time. If you use this trail, please consider helping maintain this trail or others by joining us on a trail work day. Please sign up for Warriors Society mailing list warriorssociety.org. Or drop a comment that you would like to help and we'll get out there together.

[@mustangwinnie]

That's a rough ride over the rock garden

[@darshahlu]

Yeah, its a tough section!

[@janakabandaranaike894]

Is there a lot of poison oak?

[@darshahlu]

Yes

[@LC444]

Is the Joplin Trail good for hiking?

[@darshahlu]

Yes its one of the best ways up to Modjeska or Santiago Peaks (Saddleback mountain, colloquially). Park on the dirt road of Trabuco Canyon and head up a fire road aka Cadillac to gain Santiago Truck Trail, then descend a bit to "Old Camp", cross Santiago Creek and head straight up Joplin. Look at a map, of course, and it will make sense.

[@mustangwinnie]

Glad to see you're wearing long sleeves to protect you from the brush and sun!

[@mustangwinnie]

Hope you didn't get a rash on your legs from that nasty poison oak!

[@darshahlu]

Thanks, no I did not get any poison oak. When riding these backcountry trails where conditions can be bushy, I always wear pants. My arms are semi covered with the elbow pads; the upper bicep is exposed, so I sometimes get some PO there. I now keep Dawn dish soap in the car so as soon as I get down, I wash my arms and face.