Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Temporary Closure

The latest on Claremont Hills Wilderness Park is that the City has blocked all access to the hiking trails at Johnsons Pasture (Via Santa Catarina), the top off North Mountain Road, and at HighPoint Condo's (see pics), reason behind the closure is that two hikers or as the Ranger called them walkers became trapped on the trails during the last downpour and called 911, local PD and FD could not access the area, they were rescued by a City Ranger in a 4x4.

For this liability reason the hike a bike trail is closed and expected to re-open in two weeks upon completion of hiking trail repairs related to mudslides weather permitting.

 

Lame hikers. (sic)

 

I had went up there a few days ago(when we had a few days of dry weather). The gate was closed at the Mill's gate area. All the hikers was jumping the fence. So, I decided to go up Baldy road to the claremont collage area(just pass the dam). I had road up to potatoe mtn(I had stopped and cleared acouple of down trees the best I could on the way up) and back down the loop. There was acouple of washed out areas along the way down(between potatoe and the loop). But now with all this rain I know it is pretty ugly up there. On another note. I live close to Puddingstone lake(Bonelli Park). And it is a mess out there. I had rode up to the top of the hill where the pool is at. And that was enough for me. What a mess. Puddingstone don't dry up very fast out there. Never has. There was alot of riders out there yesterday as I just took a ride around the lake on the road. I decided to just stay on the pavement most of the time. The creek is not passable at this time. Unless you have somekind of float system on your ride. I just thought I would chime in my 2 cents in case someone wanted to ride out there in the next few days. I don't think it is worth the time it takes to get there.

 

I was there yesterday at the Mills gate which was closed. We were riding back to Thompson Creek when we passed a guy walking and he was saying "YAY! Go back home".
We actually were going to call it a day and road back to Town where we parked the cars; ended up entering by the church and riding behind the chruch for the day. The conditions were perfect. No mud what so ever. Dirt was tightly packed and the runs were super fast. There were no closure signs, so we thought it was ok to ride.

 

Claremont wilderness park is easily accessible from evey, webb, or marshall canyons. at these entrance points, only cation tape block the path, no delineators with signs that say park closed which they have used in the past. its actually great to be up there without the usual hoards.

 

This photo was taken at the entrance at the top of Clairboya. A week ago they had the one sign and no chainlink. Because people kept riding and hiking, they put up the fence and an additional sign.

 

so they just closed all the access for shuttlers?

 

The Claremont Hills Wilderness Park is closed to everyone!!!! In order to shuttle you have to HAB on the fireroad which is part of the park. The park continues up the Fireroad after we turn left. I guess you will have to hike up from the bottom!

 

Claremont Hills Wilderness Park (1997)


This wilderness park is located north of the city, with an entrance at the north end of Mills Avenue. It is primarily a wilderness preserve with rugged inaccessible terrain. A system of fire roads provides for hiking, biking, walking leashed dogs, and horse riding. There are no other improvements within the park.

1,693 acres

Roads for hiking, biking, walking leashed dogs, and horse riding.


Current Status: CLOSED

During periods of extreme brush fire danger, the City will close the park to public access. During periods of very high and high brush fire danger, the City may partially or entirely close the park to public access. Closure of the park for fire prevention purposes will be done based on information and recommendations from the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) and/or the United States Forest Service. The LACFD uses five categories of brush fire danger: 1) low, 2) medium, 3) high, 4) very high and 5) extreme.

Claremont Wilderness Park, which is located just north of the city, was established in 1997. In 2007, the city of Claremont purchased the adjacent Johnston’s Pasture incorporating it as part of the Claremont Wilderness Park. The 1769-acre wilderness preserve consists of rugged inaccessible terrain, which houses a menagerie of wildlife. Along the trail, you may spot deer, birds, fox, squirrels, coyotes, snakes, tarantulas and hawks. Its entrance is located at the far north end of Mills Ave.



A plethora of trails, which spur off of this 5-mile dirt access loop, include: Marshall Canyon, Palmer Canyon, Eve Canyon and Potato Mountain. At the head of the trail, is a fork. Choosing to navigate the right (Cobalt) side, you will be rewarded with a shadier path, which winds through an oak-canopied canyon. Farther up, you will gaze across chaparral-lined steep hills.

There is a roofed structure located near the two and a half-mile marker, where one can rest and enjoy panoramic views of the valley, which lay approximately 1000 feet below. Winding down the Burbank side of the mountain, back towards civilization, you are rewarded with a breath-taking view of the city below, as a slight breeze gently caresses you.



Read more: http://trifter.com/usa-canada/california/claremont-hills-wilderness-park/#ixzz1A0ImhUte

 

yeah yeah, I know, I live right nearby and have ridden there for years . . . I was trying to be sarcastic/funny with my comment as I find it funny that people shuttle that place since it's not a difficult 1.5 mile ride up the fireroad anyway.

 

I'm sure that many people can pedal a 40+ DH bike with a single 38T chainring uphill, but I am not one of them.

 

Our group dropped in from marshal cyn and added the cwp loop to our pre new year ride and was stopped by the ranger who was up cobalt side about 1/4 mile from water crossing and asked us where we came from because they were encountering people jumping the fence and were giving out tickets if you were caught,(hint if you were caught).
There were about 10 of us and we were lucky because they weren't sure if the caution tape was up or not where we came in at which was the top side of the steepest fire road
on the Marshal side. No tickets for us as we successfully talked our way out of staying there till they could get the boss who had the ticket book.As one of the riders took off in the other direction we said that we would just go back where we came from and the ranger said you better get out of the cwp and to please let any other riders know that the park was closed till further notice.

 

I don't want to hear any complaints when they kick out mountain bikers permanently.

 

what are you riding there that you need a 40+ DH bike with a single 38T chainring?

 

i think this area has been closed to all where the hab is mentioned as this is private property.

 

I'm with Pickett!! it's this kind of stuff that gives mountain bikers a bad name.

 

I was up there last weekend as they were putting up the fences. I snuck in. It was a perfect day. NO PEOPLE.

BUT I agree, riding up there right now is not good for the cycling community. It gives us a bad rap.

 

when park opens want to bike up potatoe mtn, dont remember how to make my way there,last ride up there was 4yrs ago when i started mtn biking all i remember i went up marshal cyn to were about were it meets up w/ claimont!any tips what i need to look out for?

 

Update

Update courtesy of Happy_Gilmore:

 

Marshall to gate @ Claremont Loop. Go Left. Then when you see a water tank, go left up the hill (not down the superfast straightaway with the rain ruts). After a couple miles of pure hell, you have to bear right at the saddle if you want the suffering to increase (I mean, if you want to summit Potato).

But like Denmo says, wait a couple of weeks.