Upper Tujunga Canyon Loop

[MTBMaven]

I have been trying to do this ride for years now. The last time I tried, it was an epic solo journey where I ran out of water half way through the ride. See ride report from 8/20/2005. On that ride I did not do the Barley Flats section of the ride.

This ride is approximately 23-25 miles with 6,100 feet of gain. It starts off Upper Tujunga Rd at the Alder Creek bridge. We will climb the Alder Creek Trail to the historic Loomis Ranch property and then climb steep fireroad to just outside of Chilao. Then ride around the backside of Mt. Hilyar. This is the Chilao Figure 8 Loop at this point to Charlton. Once in Charlton we will ride the Silver Moc to Highway 2. Then ride the pavement up to Barley Flats, then ride singletrack back to the car. I have never ridden the trail from Barley Flats down. I hear it isn't in the best of shape so it will be an adventure...hell the whole ride will be an adventure.

Given the ride is on a Friday I don't suspect we will see many people, my guess is less than 5 all day. Most of these trails are pretty remote and see very little traffic all year (except the Mt. Hilyar to Charlton section.

We will meet at the Highway 2 exit from the 210 at 8:00AM and leave very shortly after that. Parking is on the right about 50 yards up the road.

The ride is not really all that technical, when compared to something like Middle Merrill but will require strong technical skills and very strong endurance.