Cucamonga Canyon - Big Tree Road - Lytle Creek

[~ Pakiha ~]

Justin, J-Do, and myself have been looking at doing this loop. I have only been able to find GPS data for the beginning and the end, but nothing through the wilderness. I have a Rec map and Sat pictures show the trail in fair condition. Its about 40 miles if we make a loop and closer to 33 if we make shuttle points. I know it sounds crazy, but when you live 3 miles from the trail head and can see the switch backs from your house you tend to keep thinking about it. (compulsively actually )

Has anyone ridden through here?

This is a rough outline of the course
LINKAGE

[dstepper]

Parts of it Cucamonga Truck Trail, I like it out there when it snows, to hot the rest of the time. Mr. Freak and I did maybe half of it last winter after a big snow out there. Long way over to Lytle Creek PM Gurp13 and Painfreak they ride that area. Tough climbing fireroad has become singletrack some moto traffic.

[Pain Freak]

I too am becoming obsessed with this area. Living just down the hill I look up at it continuosly and wonder why I don't ride it more. I've done a good portion of the Cucamonga Trail, but not specific loop you drew out. I'd be more then willing to join you when you ever do this one. The truck trail as Dean says has found it's way back to singletrack and the route is a good climb, but little to no tech sections that I've rode. The higher and further back it goes the less traveled it becomes and looks like it could be a little technical back there.

If this is the route that goes along the San Sevaine trail we could be out of luck though as the rangers told me that once was the road is now a cliff with a 60 foot+ drop.But I'll go as far as we can.

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

I've done the Switchbacks and all the of the Cucamonga Creek & Frankish Peak area. It used to be part of my training routine back when I used to race. Though there used to be fireroads leading up to Frankish Peak from Cucamonga Creek it is was singletrack, the last time I rode up there whic was not too long ago with Gurp13 & CC.

Hopefully this elevation profile & map of the San Sevain fireroad helps:
The elevation profile is if you go east (Lytle Creek) to west (Cucamonga Canyon) My opinion: start from the west and get the steep climb out of the way early and enjoy the longer descent. GOOD LUCK!!

[dstepper]

Tell me when, I am all over that ride. 24 miles, 5k of climbing...mostly new dirt...me likes it.

[J_Sims]

cool training ride for CC..

I am in once it cools off out there

[CC]

I was experiencing back pain on and off for about 3 wks when we did this ride and for some reason the fire road climbs in and out kind of did me in. But when we crossed over to Frakish Peak I was rockin pretty good and it was a great ride. I would love to explore more of the trails there too. Grup/Glen has had his eye on making his way over to Lytle Creek for awhile now.

If we do it Oct/Nov the weather will cool and my knee should be ready by then.

[~ Pakiha ~]

This is some great help, I wanted to make sure we didn't get in 20+ miles and hit a No Pass situation.

Where is Frankish Peak?

[CC]

Instead of continuing on towards Lytle Creek you head towards Mt Baldy at the first fire road crossing as your going up the first climb. Then you go through some bridge, ss, rock garden and onto another trail crossing at a river bed and you take the road less traveled. Hahaha...it's really a fun trail

Let me know if you want to do that, if the weather stays cool for awhile we can go in a few weeks.

Sound good?

[~ Pakiha ~]

Sounds real Good!

I'm going to try and get out and map up to the top of the switch backs on the GPS (unless someone has the file) But it looks like a great climb to get the legs screaming to the next level.

Also looks like the Fire road along the foot hill might be a great place for training, when is your knee going to let you ride again??