#PortalTrail #2020Hightower Have you ever lost it on a trail? Let me know in the comments below. Need new gloves? Gloves I use: bit.ly/2BV5Miv - Use code JCTRAILS18
When I first started watching I was like, why is a guy with rookie skills even on this trail? Then it became obvious he does have pretty good skills he is just not an idiot. Much respect, thanks for sharing!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
TragynWhitestar thanks for watching! I’m a rookie on this trail, I’ll smash it next year.
@mrvwbug4423
4 жыл бұрын
I watched the BCPov video of this trail, they were doing about the same, Eric and Yuka are very good riders.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
mrvwbug44 yeah they are! It’s just a tough trail.
@tmwei396
4 жыл бұрын
Your survival instincts were strong. The Whole Enchilada was the most dangerous trail I've even ridden and ever will.
@philrc1
4 жыл бұрын
You are a wise young man Sir. Like you, I could ride most of that terrain too, but in that particular location,,,,, NO WAY !!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
2 Wheel Phil I guess I’m wise beyond my years.
@johnnydoe66
4 жыл бұрын
I rode the Portal Trail solo in September of 1994, still one of my favorites. No one can truly understand how scary it is without experiencing it. I always use to ride with the words of Dirty Harry on my mind, "A Man has got to know his Limitations"
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
He sure does!
@JJaguar333
4 жыл бұрын
Back when bikes sucked!
@johnnydoe66
4 жыл бұрын
@@JJaguar333 I had a GT RTS full suspension back then. Yeah, it may not have been as advanced as today's bikes, but it rode great for that era. I eventually cracked the frame and GT replaced it with a newer Team frame with a Noleen piggyback coil shock. I rode that bike from 1996 to 2002 when I found the seat tube cracked.
@srich8251
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, now I know where not to get talked into going...Developed anxiety just watching.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
S Rich haha you could definitely do some segments on it and walk the parts you can’t.
@lukerutherford
4 жыл бұрын
Almost lost my S*** just watching.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Luke Rutherford haha😂
@oklahotb3217
4 жыл бұрын
I don't know if I've lost my cool but I definitely nope out of things if I'm sure the risk/reward isn't there. Some folks may call it cowardice, I prefer to call it wisdom of older age lol
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
OklahOTB survival! 😎
@oklahotb3217
4 жыл бұрын
@@jctrails I thought about my reply some more and while it's true I don't think I've lost my cool on a trail, I've also never ridden a trail like that before. I'm comfortable in saying I would hae probably walked a hell of a lot more than you did.
@catskillmtnsmtb6147
4 жыл бұрын
Hey man, be proud of yourself for knowing your limits and not pushing it. This video should be top of the chain for any MTBer, or anyone really. Good for you, ride on!
@DirtWireTV
4 жыл бұрын
Only done it once and I was the most nervous guy in the crew by far. Can't imagine doing it with that wind, dyude!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Yeah I give mad props for people who hammer the whole thing!
@ddssddga
3 жыл бұрын
I love biking, but my fear of heights would stop me from that trail. My hat off to you, pretty spectacular footage.
@paultorres4866
4 жыл бұрын
That wind sounded ridiculous. I've riding for 20 years and done my share of scary shit, but I can assure you I'd be walking some of the same sections you did. No need to be a news story about falling off a cliff. Epic scenery
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Very true! Yeah the views are pretty sweet!
@L4J20
4 жыл бұрын
Dude’s trail description is how I like my trails 🤣
@323johnnybravo
4 жыл бұрын
I got woozy and light headed just watching this video. And the wind. Crazy
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
johnny bravo the wind was crazy! I’m going to hammer it again next year when the wind calms down.
@andrevoz9819
4 жыл бұрын
White knuckle death grip on the mouse while watching this video ! Mad respect for doing it, no matter if you biked or hiked, that's a serious trail.
@50mtb44
4 жыл бұрын
Portal Trail is a HIGH WIRE act. Narrow, exposure, tech, wind. You made the right call walking some of those sections. Better to be alive and ride another day. Thanks for taking us along.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
50mtb for sure. I prefer riding your your local CO trails.
@50mtb44
4 жыл бұрын
@@jctrails we are spoiled. But Moab is another level. Keep these awesome videos coming.
@TheHeyoo
4 жыл бұрын
Dude, mad respect! That is some crazy exposure....and that wind! Good on you for keeping it rubber side down and enjoying a beer at the end of the day.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
TheHeyoo thanks man! The beer tasted sweet that night!
@huskerjeff1
4 жыл бұрын
Shiiiit...you rode much more than I did...! Props. That Portal section was CRAZY....
@jongusta
4 жыл бұрын
Great job and nice to see the “realness” of exposured, techy trail riding instead of of clips of people pinning something like this (mostly pros), making the trail look “doable’. So, I appreciate sharing the “realness” of a trail like this where safety and good judgement call is paramount. Need more clips like this to keep certain trails in honest perspective. BTW, you rode a lot of the trail well too.
@stuartdryer1352
4 жыл бұрын
That is the most terrifying thing I have ever seen on KZitem. I'm not sure I could walk that without crapping myself.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
You could walk it.
@rafaelalbertotorres8070
4 жыл бұрын
We had a friend on our group that hiked most of upper portal. The upper section is not technical but the exposure can't break many mentally. The lower section is possibly the most technical trail that I've ever ridden.
@gurgy69
4 жыл бұрын
When it comes to exposure like that technical skill counts for nothing. Mind games creep in and you walk it. I'd do the exact same thing dude.
@robertallen6710
4 жыл бұрын
Duh...you mean you wanna live?
@dennissneed2162
4 жыл бұрын
Moab will school ya. Once you lose your confidence its all over. Plus it wears you out. Better to walk sections (I did many times) and live to ride another day. We always said even if you walk/hike-a-bike its still mountain biking! I found that stuff i could ride on my home trails (Front Range CO) I would hesitate on in Moab, there was that mental aspect of the drop off, plus not knowing the trail very well. I think I rode most of the classics in Moab in the early 2000's, and because I wasn't "afraid" to walk my bike on some sections, i am here to type about it. GREAT JOB and video.
@ToogyHowser
4 жыл бұрын
I got sweaty palms just watching this!! I'm sure the gopro does it no justice, but even with it was pretty gnarly looking! That exposure is insane!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
So scary!
@EdwardJoy
4 жыл бұрын
Lmao JC, "my a-hole is sooooooo tight right now," dying bro 😂, but goddamn I got that feel just watching this vid props for riding that!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
😜 thanks Edward!
@MusicManMTB
4 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite trails of all time. Ridden it twice now. So good!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
It’s def fun when the exposure gone 😬
@chriscagleATX
4 жыл бұрын
Major props for posting a great, honest video. I've done everything on Mag 7 except Portal...don't know that I ever will. You said it...no shame is right. Kinda surprise your crew left you behind with it being your first time & considering the conditions (crazy winds) & risk factor.
@rafaelalbertotorres8070
4 жыл бұрын
"I'm not doing that!" Same thing i said when I got there...LOL!
@rafaelalbertotorres8070
4 жыл бұрын
BTW, the most technical section is the bottom part. Not exposed but super techy.
@thim8009
4 жыл бұрын
As I get older expectations on myself are less and less and the ride is less frustrating and a hell of alot more fun man, one way or another your the adventurer and you will get through it and preferably in one piece
@ninemilliondollars
4 жыл бұрын
Way to go dude! Awesome. No guts, no glory! (I had my seat belt on in my recliner!)
@stevemelendez482
4 жыл бұрын
That was awesome! You live to ride another day that all that matters . No need to be hero on that trail. I would have done the same thing maybe more hiking. Lol
@paul_hd1875
4 жыл бұрын
You rode that trail like 99.9% of us would... That’s some life or death 💩 right there... DAYUM!!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
🤘
@chrispierdominici3891
4 жыл бұрын
Nope, no shame man! Better to walk it than risk it, especially if you're not feeling it and considering that wind. Portal's hard enough without wind like that. Sometimes you just have to unpucker. ;) As someone that's been riding for over thirty years, no matter how good a rider you are, there are times the trail and/or conditions humble you, other times you humble yourself by being wise enough to not push it too far. As the saying goes, the mountain will always be there.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
True that!
@Markley92
4 жыл бұрын
One of your best videos! #keepgoing
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Markley92 thanks brotha!
@joestella9181
4 жыл бұрын
That trail is SICK! Don’t blame you for hiking a little. Good job and thanks for sharing, keep up the good work 👍
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Joe!
@scottnormand5858
4 жыл бұрын
chuckled when you said just feel like a goon. I totally feel your angst on this one. Got my ass handed to me at Sentir du Moulin Quebec just like that. Stuff you know you can otherwise ride if it were in our back yard, that exposure though😬Great job man. Can't wait to scare the crap out of myself there next year😁
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Scott Normand 🤘
@PHXNick
4 жыл бұрын
I'm deeply afraid of heights, but the views of this trail looked so great on YT that I decided I'd park by the river and hike up it (not nearly good enough on a bike to attempt it). When I got to the point where you guys regrouped and saw how narrow that section of trail was I couldn't even bring myself to walk across it. The GoPro really doesn't do it justice, I got woozy just looking at it. Kudos to you on your skills (and judgement).
@johnmclemore5442
4 жыл бұрын
With the fear of heights I have I would have been plastered against the hill calling for rescue. Totally paralyzing with that wind. Great job not falling on what you did ride.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@cadebraga3528
3 жыл бұрын
I tried to show my mom this video and she made it 5 seconds into the video before she walked out of the room😂
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING
4 жыл бұрын
Very nice video and channel. Great footage of riding on the trail. That trail makes me nervous just watching. Subscribed ✌️
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the Sub!
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING
4 жыл бұрын
No problem. Your channel is similar to mine. ✌️
@acfella100
4 жыл бұрын
Its better to get home than to get hurt especially if your not into it mentally...fun vid to watch.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Bo Rogers thanks!
@walterkasper467
4 жыл бұрын
I couldn't even walk that trail. Too much !!!!!!!, NICE VIDEO
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Walter Kasper thanks man!
@Ody-up6kg
4 жыл бұрын
Awesome ride guys! It does not look so hard on camera, but I know first hand that it is 3x harder than it looks. I am pretty sure I would have walked a lot more than you! Epic ride! Big thrill! and no one got hurt. Can't beat that!
@mtnbiker15d2
4 жыл бұрын
Totally spot on that trail is insane. Looks like "Trail development" cut out the boulder where several riders perished. Lot of hike a bike sections...but you got braggin rights now.👍🍻🍻🍻🍻🚴♂️
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Mtnbiker15 D2” 🤘
@joluar78
4 жыл бұрын
That wind sounded brutal! Besides mud wind is the worse when MTB. At least it is for me.
@anthonymorris5084
4 жыл бұрын
Riding that trail it's only a matter of time before you f up. One slip, one lose or falling rock and it's over.
@travelthenarrowtrail8660
4 жыл бұрын
This was a great vid man, super rad trail system. I thought of driving down this weekend from Denver but its 11 hours and I don't have the time to do the driving. I'll have to make it out to do this one for sure. Looks like the Hightower took care of business!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Travel the Narrow Trail the HT was great, me not so much.
@TrailBreaker
4 жыл бұрын
No thanks,Dude! Really scary stuff. Nice job👊🏻👍🏻
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Trail Breaker thanks man
@ftgoggi4715
4 жыл бұрын
Not a chance you'd get me on that trail, views to die for.....literally!!!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Yup views = death
@oldshreddies2080
4 жыл бұрын
I've been on one trail with exposure, but it was nothing likr that, and I just wanted to be done. That's freaky. Thanks for showing us.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@Icantbeeryou
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! There is no shame in walking!! Holy cow
@jacoblash4125
3 жыл бұрын
Damn! You were shook my guy lol. Im gonna be out there soon im debating on riding this trail...
@Lowridersdoggs
3 жыл бұрын
Man I gotta give you props for riding that! How long have you been riding?
@thebeans66
4 жыл бұрын
Stuff like this makes my taint hurt. LOL No shame in making it out alive....and unbroken....and you had a nice adventure. I'd say that's a win!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
thebeans66 it was a win the views I got to see were epic!
@usmcars
4 жыл бұрын
Good on you for doing what you did. Even if the GOPRO doesn't do it justice it still looked insane!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Anthony!
@Projectnortheast
4 жыл бұрын
It's a mental game. Some days I'll send 15-20' drops with confidence, other days... nope, not feelin it. The worst thing you can do sometimes is push it on a day your not feelin it. The best thing about calling it, is it's the best excuse to go back... the trail ain't goin anywhere. Exposure doesn't really bother me, but I've seen many people lock up especially on this trail. Have you seen my drone footage? kinda shows how crazy it is...
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Projectnortheast yeah I just wasn’t feeling it. It was our 3rd day out there and my legs were cooked. I’m definitely going to ride it again.
@travelthenarrowtrail8660
4 жыл бұрын
I agree with your comment, if your not feeling it. Every time I have not been feelin it, I usually crash and get hurt.
@mrrims
4 жыл бұрын
Nice hike bro!! Jk that trail looks gnarly! You made it down in one piece so that’s what’s important
@ksanasinh
4 жыл бұрын
You wouldn't be the third or fourth to die on that trail. Fear keeps us alive.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
It sure does.
@lslysaght
2 жыл бұрын
My friend died on this trail. Fell several hundred feet to his death. Hence the signage urging you to dismount which you blew right by.
@adamdavis354
4 жыл бұрын
I ripped this trail a few years back, I loved it! I’ve been dreaming about it ever since. But it is no joke. If you haven’t ridden it before, dismount where the signs recommend, no need to be a hero!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Adam Davis true dat!
@CarlosSanchez-cq1lf
4 жыл бұрын
i..... keeep...... leaning..... to the right..... of .... my..... computer chair at work.....lol
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Haha don’t topple over!
@emildobre4442
4 жыл бұрын
Looks fun
@mountainlaurel5264
4 жыл бұрын
hearing you say you were feeling 'mentally cooked' makes me feel better about not going hard on myself. just yesterday i was riding so sloppy on the trails and just couldnt get into it, but kept pushing with my body trying to get into m groove. im going to try and improve my pace
@ColoradoStreaming
4 жыл бұрын
I have done a few 24 hr races on a 4 man team and its really the mental aspect that gets you in the end. It will be 3:45am and you will approach a technical section with your little headlamp and it takes everything to keep your shit together to get to the bottom. Sometimes you literally lose the ability to care if you crash or not.
@prestobeen
4 жыл бұрын
You wouldn't catch me dead walking that trail, let alone riding. Uh huh, no way.
@Combat556
4 жыл бұрын
Yikes! Looks hairy! Stay safe and enjoy a lot of future dinners.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks brotha!
@leejtwgwang9527
4 жыл бұрын
Watching this video caused my canon and two ammo to shrink and quickly went up to my tummy. Just like the turtle head went back into its body. Oh, my a hole also shrunken so little I would have trouble pooping tonight. Holy shit, that was scary. I wouldn't even attempt to walk the trail. I would freaked out due to being afraid of heights.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Haha 2 ammo😂
@OutOfThisVan
4 жыл бұрын
Love how your buds seemed to disappear...
@trailladymtb7700
4 жыл бұрын
Wow...no way! beyond scary as shizz... glad you finished safely and took no chances. With the wind blowing like it was...it is terribly dangerous and deadly. ugh amazing video.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Trail Lady!
@dag681
4 жыл бұрын
So, there ARE places where we do not have to take our MTB's. Especially when there is no joy of abandon, of letting go, and straight out enjoying the ride. The wind alone, in these open stretches is relentless enough. All for the survival beer at the end?
@MudmanDH
4 жыл бұрын
amazing trail, terrain and riding...
@michaelsmith3159
4 жыл бұрын
I was riding the Portal my first time many years ago when I encountered a stranger just in front of me. He dissapeared from the trail leaving me to wonder where the heck he went. The vultures revealed his position a few days later, 400 vertical feet down from the top crux. Guess he wasn't smart enough to walk the appropriate section. I don't mean to sound flip, but when you are playing for keeps it really is stupid to foolishly bet your life just so you can say you did something.
@dandavis6674
3 жыл бұрын
No shame in your game at all, I would have done the same thing - dont be so hard on yourself - awesome to be out there doing different terrain
@aaronbeattie3966
4 жыл бұрын
Yep the portal is narly I’ve ridden it a handful of times and it scares me every-time
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Cant wait to ride it again.
@B1KER
4 жыл бұрын
I HATE THIS TRAIL!!! I can't stop watching it but it freaks me out. I'm leaning right just watching it.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
B1KER haha! It would be tough to ride/walk if your afraid of heights or 💀.
@B1KER
4 жыл бұрын
JC TRAILS I couldn’t even walk that trail. Sucks the bottom looks so fun after the exposure part. So many great one liners in this vid. I was cracking up.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
B1KER I aim to please 😎
@huntstyle
4 жыл бұрын
5:04 that was probably the sketchiest part I rode. But outside of that, if you get off and walk on the parts where the signs tell you to walk, it's not all that bad. Lower Portal is where the most technical stuff is, and there's no exposure at that point.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Yeah I would love to give lower portal a proper send. Next time!
@huntstyle
4 жыл бұрын
@@jctrails Yeah, when I ride it again, I'm taking Poison Spider up rather than doing the whole Mag 7! I was exhausted by the time we got to Portal!
@redghost5705
3 жыл бұрын
Hey man, you had to walk a bit, don't let it ruin your experience. That wind was enough to shake anybodys confidence.
@nealbrooker4295
4 жыл бұрын
On the really gangly trails I feel like I'm just taking my bike for a walk haha
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Neal Brooker that’s what I felt like.
@keithgerlack7264
4 жыл бұрын
No idea how you did that. I would freeze up and probably wouldn’t even be able walk it. Crazy.
@nialloconnor3181
4 жыл бұрын
Wow, I like these add recommendations.
@LG-mj5ns
4 жыл бұрын
Legend has it the term, "oh hell no" was coined on that trail.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Haha
@brakingbumps
4 жыл бұрын
After riding some serious exposure in Sedona (Highline and Hang over) I get what you went through. It's all about vision; keeping far ahead and don't look down. That wind looked brutal though...
@ajr4442
4 жыл бұрын
This had me grinding my teeth the whole video! Love your channel brother! I’m a beginner and was wondering what your thoughts are on the Fezzari wiki peak?
@stevestewart7572
4 жыл бұрын
I don't think of Portal as an especially super technical trail, but one wrong move and death. I've walked a bunch of those exposed sections. One of the scariest (dumbest maybe) things I've ever done was take my 16 year old son, who is a fantastic rider, down Portal. He just doesn't get that you can crash on stuff that is well below your skill level.
@Wizler71
4 жыл бұрын
Just getting to Portal is a long, rough haul. Gold Bar Rim trail is super fun but also quite challenging!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Sure is. I was pooped when I got to portal.
@Karpiel73
4 жыл бұрын
At 3:28 (right where you stopped) i got hung up on a rock and fell left into that tree. The exposure didnt bother me honestly. But going mach 1 after the overlook through all the massive chunk, THAT was stressful.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thank god for the tree.
@StepXX
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video! I hope that I can make to Utah one day. Do you remember by chance what kind of tires you had on your HT during the ride?
@Jim_Allocco
4 жыл бұрын
Such a bad idea dude. I couldn’t even watch the whole thing.
@joealred7868
4 жыл бұрын
JC ya don't need to be a Rad mtbr to post compelling and quality videos, loved it as is. Now don't even think about White Line, LOL.
@IthacaDon
4 жыл бұрын
Was the sign still there about people dying on this trail? I did it several years ago and when I walked my bike I made sure the bike was on the outside of the trail! Didn't want to have my handlebar touch the cliff and send me. Well done showing common sense on the narrow parts.
@vangwizard
3 жыл бұрын
Foot pace on the portal... sounds good to me.
@foxykc
4 жыл бұрын
I'm scared shittless. Just watching this. We used to go to Moab years ago and every year somebody would try that trail and die.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Yikes
@GoodTrails
4 жыл бұрын
Nice job dude!
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks bro!
@jltrack
4 жыл бұрын
I like mountain biking but I love living more.
@quithollerin7276
4 жыл бұрын
Sick ride, man.
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Quit🤘
@catg9196
4 жыл бұрын
For sure. Looks like a hiking trail 😂
@DavidGilden
4 жыл бұрын
Looks like a nice hiking trail!
@chargeriderepeat7024
4 жыл бұрын
Big nope from me...thats why I dont ride in a hot air balloon, the void pulls me in..I'd be thinking about riding over the edge the entire time.
@mtbandmore6443
4 жыл бұрын
Just so subscribed to your hiking channel lol great video
@jctrails
4 жыл бұрын
Haha stay tuned to next week!
@PJJ205mtb
4 жыл бұрын
NO THANK YOU. That's wild!
@workhorsemtb7075
4 жыл бұрын
nice. keeping it real, exactly what I would be doing/thinking
Пікірлер: 294