Counting Coup upper portion with Snow, ice, rain and cold wind!

Yesterday, 12-17-11, Doug and I drove out to Orange County, 405 to the 22, exit Chapman and go right to Silverado something.   We did not go left to go to Black Star, which we will do another time. We drove up and up to do what I am told is the second half of the Counting Coup.  It got cold very fast.  I have never ridden anywhere in those mountains, so it was all new.  A river and beautiful trees and signs of winter looming.  As we climbed up for 3.2 miles up pavement, we reached dirt! Yeah!

So we climbed and climbed and the wind was picking up and it was getting cold, mind you that my light wind breaker I was wearing will fit in my pant pocket!  Some unexpected storm was coming in.  Suddenly we were riding in snow and ice!  We went on after a place called four corners and kept on climbing.  The last portion of the climb was a switchback and was very open and we figured the winds could be 50 miles an hour and very cold, so we turned around.  It was starting to rain and later we heard riders turned back due to hail.  I only road for about 3.5  hours and climbed about 3500 feet, but it was steep and nice to get a taste of what it will be like in April. 
I really look forward to going back and trying all the parts of the 44 miles, uphill and the technical downhill terrain!
I am so grateful to my friend and training partner, Doug, for showing me the trails!