It’s been just a little over 6 weeks since the Windy Ridge Fire shut down access to Santiago Oaks. I got word that Chutes (aka Barham Ridge Trail) had recently just reopened so I went to check it out.
It looked like a barren wasteland. What once were trees and bushes were now just some blackened twigs. Some of the old wooden shelters were now gone - others seemed to have just escaped being burned down.
Most of the side singletracks were still shut down, so I just went up the 3 B’s and down Chutes. With everything burned away, it greatly increased visibility on the trail. You could see down the trail quite a bit, and as a result, you could pick up your speed without fear of running into somebody behind a blind corner.
I’m not sure how long before the rest of the trails reopen - but I’m happy we can ride at least some portions of Santiago Oaks again.
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