Camping

[Red Hawk]

I was wondering if anyone knows a good place in the San Gabrial mountains to camp and ride? A group of friends and I where trying to figuar out a good camping spot that we don't have lug up too much stuff by bike to the campsite and a good place for riding? Any suggetions?

[dstepper]

Chilao campground just opened. See our post from the weekend.

Dean

[JoeTruth]

IMO, Buckhorn Campground (10 minutes north of Chilao, across from Mt. Waterman) is the most scenic camping location in the San Gabes. Not dead-spot in the middle of a trail system like Chilao but way more scenic. They usually book-up fairly quickly and are closed during the winter months but I believe they just opened it the first of April.

Edit: Buckhorn has 38 spots vs. Chilao's 111. It's the second highest (6300 feet) permitted campground next to Mt. Pacifico (7100 feet). Here's a good link...
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/maps...picnicking.pdf

[Zippy]

I backpacked the Gabrielino Trail from JPL all the way to Chantry flats and then down the Mt Wilson trail into Santa Anita. My favorite campground that you have to hike or bike to is Hoegee Camp. Dunno if you can drive to Chantry Flats yet from the slide and Hoegee has no water besides the creek, but It's only 2 miles from Chantry Flats and you can pick up quite a few trails from there.

I highly recommend picking up a Harrison's map of Mt. Wilson for some help. REI has them.

I'm jealous! I love that area.

[Piranha]

Chilao is truly beautiful and an absolutely epic area to ride in. It is my personal favorite place to ride locally. Little Pines and Manzanita campgrounds are centrally located to the trail system and the possibilities are nearly endless up there.

Chilao Recreation Area 5,300'

Closed for the winter November 15 through April 1, 2008, snow permitting opening on that date or as soon as possible thereafter. 111 Sites

Be Aware of Bear Activity. No water. Little Pines Loop is open - $12 per night. Manzanita Loop is open, and Meadow Loop is closed indefinitely to protect biological and archaeological resources. Vault toilets (5 accessible for visitors with disabilities). Campsites are first come - first served. Visitor Center is closed indefinitely. Phones. RV's to 28' (one site for 36'). Pacific Crest Trail accessible from Three Points, 3 miles north of the campground on Hwy. 2. Parking available at Three Points trailhead (Interagency Pass or Adventure Pass required at trailhead). San Gabriel Wilderness area is accessible by trails at Three Points and Devil's Canyon. Devil's Canyon Trailhead is located 0.20 miles south of the Chilao Visitor Center on Hwy. 2. Mountain bikes are not allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail or in the San Gabriel Wilderness. Location: From Interstate 210 in the city of La Canada, exit at Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) and drive northeast for 26 miles to the signed campground on the left. Call (818-899-1900 for current conditions and additional information.