RR: Forgotten Gabes: Blue Ridge Trail

[GP_pilot]

Well work once again has me regularly traveling to a BFE place in Antelope Valley midway between Victorville and Palmdale. Yeah, go look on a map, there isn’t anything of significance in the immediate area…or so I thought until you look at the mountain range bordering to the south. It wasn’t until I finally brought my bike with me on a trip last July to get a mid-week ride after work that I got a taste of the possibilities. Doing some initial research I found one known trail and rode it. But I couldn’t understand why this place wouldn’t have more to offer. Nearly everyone rides and has their favorite trails on the front (LA side) of the San Gabriel Mountains, but so little seems known of the north side or folks are just keeping it a secret.

Since work is already paying for me to get there and back, I figured why not spend the time to explore the forgotten side. So over the next several weeks with the help of satellite imagery, topos, outdated bike and hiking trail reports, and other resources, I’ll be exploring well known, little known, forgotten, and unknown trails on the north side of the San Gabes. Most of these will be by mountain bike, with possibly a hike or two thrown in. Each week I travel, I aim to publish at least one RR which highlights what I was or wasn’t able to find.

First stop, the well known Blue Ridge Trail is open for business. But it wasn’t six weeks ago, the first week of April. Mountain High Ski area had just closed with one of the best snow pack years, so much in fact several back country skiers died in several avalanches in adjacent canyons. I had a ‘damn the torpedoes’ attitude and ended up crossing several 45 degree snowpack fields, walking sideways, digging my heals through the ice crust, while looking down several hundred feet. Unfortunately, yes you can ride a trail too early in the season.

In most references this is referred to as the Blue Ridge ‘D’, but only in the context if you ride out to the end of the forest road, back track, and then drop down the Blue Ridge for a total mileage of 18.6 miles. This past Wednesday was just a sampling loop at altitude to get my lungs again. If you need more info on how to get there, input Big Pines, CA into your preference of internet mapping tools. My preference is to park at Big Pines parking lot, so I can finish with a downhill of Blue Ridge. This is just below the Mountain High west ski area, across from the lodge on the north side of Route 2. If you want to ride up the trail, cross over the paved road below the parking lot, that exits Mountain High and look for the trail bearing off to the right of the dirt road below it.




Starting out at just over 6,800’, you start a 2.0 mile road climb to Inspiration Point, gaining just over 500’ in elevation. If you’ve never been there before, stop at the Point which overlooks Mt. Baldy and Mt. Baden-Powell. There’s a map with the names of the mountains on it in the distance and on clear days you can even see Catalina Island. To the left you’ll see forest road 3N26 (note other references refer to this as 3N06, so the Forest Service may have renumbered it recently).



Jump on the forest road and ride 2.5 miles to Blue Ridge Campground (note the entrance sign at 3N26 states 3 mi). You’ll gain nearly 600’ as you ride along the ridge, through Mountain High west ski area and on up to the campground.

At the end of the ski season in April.



And now



Again early April



And now



This year, Mountain High dedicated an open glade to one of their own who died in an avalanche at the end of Jan.







The campground has pit toilets, but no water that I’m aware. Once you’re ready to descend, look for the ski lift off to the left of the road. Then look a bit further back to the left and look for a faint trail leading down beside the last campsite.



There’s no formal marker to the trail, but there is a trail sign about 300 yards down that shows you’re on the trail.



From here you’ll start with a few switch backs as you descend 1,000’ down 2.1 miles of single track goodness.



This trail cuts along the side of a canyon slope, so there is some exposure if you’re not paying attention to what’s in front of you.



One of several snowpack fields in April, and yes it was that steep and more.



This is a well maintained trail, with a few narrow spots, and is very similar to the extra credit top portion of Santa Ana River Trail. Do watch for hikers who use this trail on the weekends and during the week. Towards the bottom, there’s another set of tight switchbacks, a bridge, and a short climb as you reach the end. Riding several times during the week, my total riding time was just under an hour. The trail is well packed and twice I’ve ridden up it. Already in a week’s time since I last rode it, the trail is showing signs of abuse by riders dragging their rear tires into the switchbacks. This trail has be come a personal favorite, even if it only lasts 10 minutes.

Status: Known
Distance: 6.7 mi (loop), 2.1 mi for Blue Ridge Trail itself
Total Ascent: 1194’
Total Descent: 1372’ (loop), 1086’ for Blue Ridge Trail

[kanga]

Thanks for this! I'm really looking forward to hearing what else you find, as I've been hoping to find a route similar to the AC 100 which starts in Wrightwood and follows the PCH to Mt. Hillyer. An alternate to the PCH would be a great find.

[art23rockpile]

Thanks for the RR!
Looks like another area i'll want to research for riding.

[bajamtnbkr]

Thanks for a nice RR.

[kevinator]

Cool RR, I think it's neat you scour all available resources to locate and ride trails like this. Look forward to seeing more!

[KBL]

I've never ridden Blue Ridge, but it looks like a worthwhile ride.

You might also try the Manzanita/High Desert Trail that starts at Vincent Gap and goes to South Fork campground and continues on to Devil's Punchbowl. There are some pretty remote-feeling parts to that trail--especially between South Fork campground and Devil's Punchbowl.

[Sewellymon]

KBL- -as i recall, that Manzanita/High Desert Trail has some serious exposure? More so than most any other San Gab trail in my hazy memory.

A good epic ride is Devil's Punchbowl West and then North up to Burkhart Saddle, then down to Cooper Canyon, up Burkhart Trail to ACH then ACH to Manzanita/High Desert Trail and back to car. Think that took us almost 8 hours?

[KBL]

Originally Posted by Sewellymon

KBL- -as i recall, that Manzanita/High Desert Trail has some serious exposure? More so than most any other San Gab trail in my hazy memory.

A good epic ride is Devil's Punchbowl West and then North up to Burkhart Saddle, then down to Cooper Canyon, up Burkhart Trail to ACH then ACH to Manzanita/High Desert Trail and back to car. Think that took us almost 8 hours?

Yes, there are some very sketchy sections on the Manzanita trail. The worst one is just east of South Fork campground. You take the Manzanita trail east and wind your way up to a small saddle. The first half-mile or so past this saddle (of which I don't know the name) has a few sections that are best walked, and one or two that must be walked no matter your skill level or bravado.

The Manzanita trail between Vincent Gap and South Fork campground is world class, though. It's got all the good features: scenic, challenging, easy-to-follow. There's some exposure, but nothing that trumps Chantry Flat.

My friend Dan and I tried to do a loop similar to the one you've described. We took the Manzanita Trail from South Fork campground east through Devil's Punchbowl and planned to take the Burkhart Trail up to Buckhorn Campground, then the Angeles Crest Highway to either the South Fork trail (ends at South Fork campground~5 miles of singletrack that winds down South Fork canyon with places of high exposure) or Vincent Gap to descend the Manzanita Trail to South Fork campground.

That day, I made the mistake of filling my Camelbak with a very strong Gatorade mixture, which upset my stomach. We made it partway up the Burkhart Trail, and decided we'd better turn around. We ended up taking the pavement back to South Fork campground.

From then on, Gatorade has been a good after-the-ride drink, but it's water-only in the Camelbak! I digress...

It's noteworthy that the Burkhart trail intersects the Pacific Crest Trail for about 1/3 mile just below Buckhorn. There are "no bikes" signs on this section, but if you carry your bike (it may be OK to walk your bike here, but that leaves tire tracks and leads our enemies to think we're poaching) you're suddenly a hiker who's carrying a bicycle.

Another general statement about the trails on the desert side of the San Gabriels is they're incredibly remote and uncrowded. This can be a good and a bad thing. You won't see too many othere trail users; good for solitude and bad for getting help if you're alone and in trouble.

The Blue Ridge trail is near Wrightwood (as previously mentioned) but most other trails on the desert side are lightly used--almost to the point of feeling lonely.

[PacMan]

Sweet pics dude!! Be careful though, it is a slippery slope!!

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by KBL

It's noteworthy that the Burkhart trail intersects the Pacific Crest Trail for about 1/3 mile just below Buckhorn. There are "no bikes" signs on this section, but if you carry your bike (it may be OK to walk your bike here, but that leaves tire tracks and leads our enemies to think we're poaching) you're suddenly a hiker who's carrying a bicycle.

Unless something has changed since I was there last year, those signs on the Burkhart trail are ILLEGAL SIGNS placed by the PCT/hiker folks. (When I was there the signs where not standard affair, but privately made signs). Instead of properly maintaining/repairing the PCT in that area where the PCT crosses Burkhart, the Burkhart trail was "borrowed" for about 1/3rd of a mile. There are sections of the PCT that use dirt roads as connectors and they do not close the roads just because the PCT borrows the road. It is the same thing with the Burkhart trail.

The Burkhart trail is open for bikes along it's ENTIRE route.

I will and suggest anyone who rides that trail should remove those illegal signs everytime you ride it otherwise, the actual landmangers will start thinking they are legit signs.

[Sewellymon]

Originally Posted by MTBBill

The Burkhart trail is open for bikes along it's ENTIRE route.

I will and suggest anyone who rides that trail should remove those illegal signs everytime you ride it otherwise, the actual landmangers will start thinking they are legit signs.

thnx for the head's up, Bill. It's been 15 years since I've done that ride, but I am jones-ing for it again. I'll keep an eye out for the illegal signs..

FYI- the actual PCT thru hikers tend to be VERY bike friendly. It's the humorless "serious" hikers/ Sierra Club-types who have a problem with us. Well, them and those people whose horses destroy our delicate trails...

[JoeTruth]

Thanks, Bill. I actually never knew that and know exactly the spot. Interesting that they would put up illegal signs.
I have a funny feeling I'll be up there in the next 7-8 days and will take it down. Have you verified this with the US Forestry Department?

Originally Posted by MTBBill

Unless something has changed since I was there last year, those signs on the Burkhart trail are ILLEGAL SIGNS placed by the PCT/hiker folks. (When I was there the signs where not standard affair, but privately made signs). Instead of properly maintaining/repairing the PCT in that area where the PCT crosses Burkhart, the Burkhart trail was "borrowed" for about 1/3rd of a mile. There are sections of the PCT that use dirt roads as connectors and they do not close the roads just because the PCT borrows the road. It is the same thing with the Burkhart trail.

The Burkhart trail is open for bikes along it's ENTIRE route.

I will and suggest anyone who rides that trail should remove those illegal signs everytime you ride it otherwise, the actual landmangers will start thinking they are legit signs.

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

Thanks, Bill. I actually never knew that and know exactly the spot. Interesting that they would put up illegal signs.
I have a funny feeling I'll be up there in the next 7-8 days and will take it down. Have you verified this with the US Forestry Department?

I have not spoken with anyone at the USFS lately. A year or so ago, that section was classifed as a PCT detour. Considering that it has been that way for a few years, it is important that we make sure that it remains as a "detour" and Burkhart remains open to bikes. I'm sure there are folks who would like to see the entire Burkhart trail closed to bike because of that 1/3rd mile detour of the PCT.

I just checked out the latest edition of the NF map and it reflects detour of the PCT on top of the Burkhart.

Currently the section of the PCT east of the Burkhart trail through Cooper Canyon is closed for some endangered frog issues and the trail is detoured onto Highway 2. Thru Hikers have been hiking along 2 and then down Burkhart to the PCT and the continuing West.

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by kanga

Thanks for this! I'm really looking forward to hearing what else you find, as I've been hoping to find a route similar to the AC 100 which starts in Wrightwood and follows the PCH to Mt. Hillyer. An alternate to the PCH would be a great find.

How cool is that? PCH to Mt. Hillyer? It must connect from the Santa Monica's to the Verdugo's and up!!

[destroyer]

I just rode Blue Ridge on Thursday and it was in great shape. The stream at the bottom of the trail was quite interesting. Be careful of hikers on the trail there where quite a few, some had dogs that weren't on a leash included one that bit my foot.

[Pain Freak]

I'm dying to find out what else you find over there. One of my favorites is a dh/shuttle kind of ride that still incorporates a fair amount of climbing...Start at Vincent Gap ride down into South fork then over to the Punchbowl. Very fun ride.

[Sewellymon]

Originally Posted by MTBBill

... Thru Hikers have been hiking along 2 and then down Burkhart to the PCT and the continuing West.

Picked up 2 thru hikers the other day who considered that portion- the paved section of ACH, then detour down Burkhart - to be bogus. They said that is the general assessment of thru hikers this year. Thus, they were hitchhiking to Cloudburst (whereupon I hijacked them to Newcomb’s and forced them to eat burgers and drink beers…