RR: Forgotten Gabes: Pinecone Trail

[GP_pilot]

When I was a kid, I always liked exploring the patch of woods at my grandpa’s compound and the woods beside the old railroad tracks at home in Pennsylvania. Later, I joined Scouts and backpacked a bit of the Appalachian Trail which was only 10 miles from my home. When I started driving, my friend and I would take our 4x4s on the nearby forest roads and fire trails. I picked up a dual sport motorcycle in college and explored quite a bit of the West Virginia backcountry and did a cross country trip to the San Juan mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. A few years ago, I extensively piloted myself between Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Colorado Springs and Sonoma and got to see a lot of remote backcountry that folks can never see from the road. The means of travel has changed, but the drive to get out, explore, and experience nature hasn’t.

After my last ride, I needed something that wasn’t big on vertical feet, preferably something that was rolling and easy to climb. But come on, I’m kidding myself in the San Gabes of all places. In my search for trails, I came across a single reference that a local had mentioned. The problem, I had no clue where it was. He too mentioned to get out and explore. Once I got on to my selected trail, I was 99% sure I found it because it was littered the entire length with the buggers it was named after. This was one also of those rides where everything magically fell into place. I set out to explore one trail I found on the topo, found an unmarked connector that put me at the beginning of another route I had been wanting to try, which ultimately put me back at where I started…a loop!

I have no idea if there is an official name for this trail, but Pinecone Trail is in keeping with what you’ll be dodging along the way.




The start for this ride is at Inspiration Point on CA-2 at 7,380’. But as I would later find out, you could also just as easily start at Big Pines. Starting out, you need to do a brief stint on asphalt over to Grassy Hollow Visitor Center. The good part is that it’s only 0.6 mi and you’ll loose about 100’ in the process. Note if you choose to park there, the Visitor Center sign states the gate closes at 4 pm. Continue riding through Grassy Hollow on the paved road toward Jackson Flat, but don’t ride far. At another 0.6 mi, you’ll come to a saddle where the PCT dumps onto the road for 100’ before it splits off again. The incredible view here is a dichotomy and much better than that of Inspiration Point: endless, flat expanse of high desert on one side and the deep chasm of the San Gabriel river between Mt. Baden-Powell and Mt. San Antonio on the other. It’s barely noticeable, but there’s an old logging or forest service grade right where the PCT dumps out.



This is where 2.4 mi of fun starts. Although the low scrub is overgrown, the nearly virgin singletrack is defined and most of the trail is cleared, save for 3 spots that have fallen trees.













At one point you’ll pass a big log ride just begging to be developed.



After you hit a section with several fallen trees



, the trail will depart the logging grade to the left at 1.83 mi.



From here you won’t be able to wipe off your smile, as you’ll have a dozen bermed switchbacks dropping you nearly 500’ in a 1/2 mile.





All too soon the fun is over and you’re spit out onto an unused forest service road.



This trail is locally known as I saw 4 sets of wide DH type tire tracks. Head down left and you’ll end up at Appletree Flat. Heading right the road narrows to single track, wind its way along an embankment, a short stream ride, and at 0.64 mi to a gate on Big Pines Highway. This trail circles what some refer to as Lightening Ridge.





I was nearly ready to ride the asphalt back to my car, but I studied the topography and saw what looked to be a faint trail. Could it be? Oh heck yeah, I’ll take virgin singletrack any day. And so it goes.







It’s a gradual climb up to Big Pines. Near the top, you come to an old cabin looking building and want to stay left.



You’ll then pass another road department building on your right and come to the garages and parking area. The faint trail goes up between the propane tank and big pine,



putting you out at CA-2, right across from the lower parking lot of Mountain High West.



I didn’t hit the lap button on my GPS, so I estimate the mileage at 0.6 mi with about 260’ of ascent. I saw a solitary bike track on this trail.

Now that you’re at the junction of the Crest and Big Pines Highway, I was always faced with a 2.0 mi road climb on CA-2. Well not anymore. Head across the parking lot and up the pathway to the ski lodge.



Looking at the mountain, your destination is the top of Snowflake beginner chair on the right.



Note: I rode this after hours, so you may want to stop at the security office at the top of the path and tell them what you’re doing out of courtesy (since you’re not some mountain biker vandal). Once you reach the top, you’ll see the Easy Street sign. Although it might seem like an oxymoron, it points directly to the service road you want to take.



And it really is…easy with 1.07 mi to the top of 3N26 in 262’.



I guess someone else may have had the same idea, as I again saw a single track on this portion. Now it’s just a short and flat 0.4 mi back to the parking area.



The total ascent for this loop may seem like a lot, but it’s really broken up and distributed well. Just like I wanted in the first place: rolling and easy to climb.



Status: Unknown (Locals)
Distance: 6.65 mi (loop), 2.4 mi for Pinecone Trail
Total Descent: 1796’ (loop), 1489’ for Pinecone Trail
Total Ascent: 1717’(loop), 314’ for Pinecone Trail

Ride reports in the Forgotten Gabes series:
Blue Ridge Trail – Forgotten Gabes: Blue Ridge Trail
Acorn Trail - Forgotten Gabes: Acorn Trail

[Nagaredama]

Awesome RR!

Can you post a link to the trail head?

[Foesnasty]

dude that sounds like fun, thanks for a great RR

[dstepper]

Nice some new stuff to explore. I use Easy Street when we are doing the Blue Ridge Trail Loop, much better than that Highway Climb.

Dean

[Sewellymon]

AWESOME TR.

Love any and all San Gabs, especially when it's above 5,000' in the pine trees...

[Pain Freak]

Dean, we got to do this. I wonder if there is something else in the area we could ride along with it? Looks like a long ways over there though.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Dean, we got to do this. I wonder if there is something else in the area we could ride along with it? Looks like a long ways over there though.

I agree, maybe after your big touring trip.

Dean

[foofighter]

awesome RR

[MTBBill]

I am totally digging this series you have going on here. Great Stuff! I love exploration

[Blue Rat]

Thanks for the RR.

[Zippy]

WTG Don Quixote!

[Tedroy]

Originally Posted by MTBBill

I am totally digging this series you have going on here. Great Stuff! I love exploration

Great job! Thanks for doing the hard work!

[art23rockpile]

Thanks for another nice RR!

I just rode San Gabs high country today, and was reminded once again why I love riding up there.

Sometime soon, I want to ride on the Wrightwood side too.

[92se-r]

Dang, good job man. You are finding some sweet trails that no one knows about. I haven't been up to the desert in a while. Next time work beckons, I'm for sure bringing my bike.

[KBL]

Way cool...thanks! Since the hot part of the year isn't too far off, it's good to know about a few more rides up in the pines.

More, please.

[JoeTruth]

Awesome RR and good stuff indeed. Next time you decide to head-up there during the week and you want some company, drop me a PM please.

[Krankin Kiwi]

Cool, now find the Jackson Lake ST and you'll have a grand loop ride you can do different ways. I would start it from AppleTree CG or Jackson Lake.