My Favorite Routes VII: Bonelli Park Loop (mtb)...

Back to Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park for this edition of My Favorite Routes. Start with a stat: A good 75-80% of the time I head out for a spin on the mountain bike, I'll be at one of two places - Marshall Canyon / Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, or Bonelli Park. Truth be known, I can think of better places to ride the dirt, but due to their ease of access, and thus the frequency with which I ride there, they make the list. There are some similarities, for instance riding in both areas is dominated by dirt access, or fire roads, and trail use can be heavy. Mostly, though, each area is distinct from the other. There is only one stream crossing in Bonelli, the climbs are shorter and generally less steep, there is little single track, though I would say what s.t. there is is more technical.

view from Lower Beehive Trail

someone cough up a lung? - no, just a dried up cactus pad

On with the description. The hills of Bonelli Park are criss-crossed with trails. There are some nice ones near to the south shore of the lake, but since these are quite short, you would really have to combine these with others to get in a decent ride. The route that I tend to take is basically a perimeter loop of varied terrain. Every trail ride needs a starting point, and at Bonelli you have several options. You can enter the park from Via Verde and use any one of the ample parking lots along that road, you can forgo the entry fee and use the park and ride lot near the west Via Verde entrance, you can even park at Brackett Field near the restaurant. The last time I rode the loop I parked in the lot on the north shore (it must have been a weekday, since I didn't have to pay), and that is where this description starts (note the "S" in the white circle on the map). It is easy to pick up the trail here as it runs along the planted strip between the parking lot and Puddingstone Drive. It is fun and fast through here, basically singletrack; let it run. After passing the boat launch parking area you will make a sharp right onto a road that quickly turns to mostly gravel and circles along the edge of a retention basin, before dumping you down onto the paved road that crosses the dam.

Take this paved road over the dam, checking out the view across the lake to the left and the water slides of Raging Waters to the right. Watch for the occasional auto traveling the opposite direction on this one way access road. Once across the dam, merge onto Raging Waters Drive, keeping the lake on your left.  Watch along the right of the road, in a short distance you will notice an old asphalt road branching off at a spot marked by some trees, and yellow gate posts with a chain strung between. Punch it up the short hill, but make a quick right at the dirt road switchback. This is the Lower Beehive Trail, which climbs and descends gently, and offers some nice views of the lake and San Gabriel Mountains. Before long you connect to the Upper Beehive Trail, which is steeper and takes you up to the high point on this side of the park. There always seems to be mountain bikers up here taking a rest; you can do so as well, or go straight into the descent off the top. You will bottom out with an option to go left and back to the paved Raging Waters Drive, or up a slight incline. Go up. This will take you to the tunnel going under Via Verde.

Exiting the tunnel take the wide sweeping turn left and run downhill behind the park headquarters. Being near the park entrance there tends to be many walkers and trail runners here so keep your head up and eyes open. You eventually come down nearly to Via Verde with a parking lot across the way. There is another yellow post and chain barrier, but you don't want to go there anyway. Instead keep to the dirt road which starts a gradual climb off to the right. At the next junction go right to keep climbing. You will shortly reach another junction, this one signed. This is an optional side route marked in yellow on the map and heads to the fire department reservoir at the top of the hill. It looks like a giant swimming pool with a view, but is enclosed by a fence, and is of course, off limits. There are some pine trees up here and on a hot summer day is a nice place to stop for a moment. When you have had your fill of rest head back the same way to the main route.

not the swimming pool

10 - 57 freeway interchange and Cal Poly Pomona

Shortly, and after a little downhill you reach a sharp turn marked by a transmission tower. I will often stop to take in the view of the I-10/SR-57 interchange and of the campus of California Polytechnic University, Pomona beyond. Continue down, along what is now the Coyote Trail, sections of which are steep and loose. Take this as slow or fast as your ability allows. You are riding along the 10 freeway now and its roar is an almost constant companion. Eventually you reach the low point along this road; off to the left is a wooden bridge, no longer used. The dry stream coming down from the hills here probably has some water when it rains, but I've never seen it. From here the road turns up again, the longest climb on the route; the grade varies, but nothing is especially taxing. Avoid any turnoffs until you practically reach Via Verde again. At that point, merge to the right and punch it up this short but rocky (bedrock, not loose) bit and notice the wide singletrack trail heading off to the right. Take it, though you could continue on the dirt road. 

This is the longest bit of technical trail you will deal with on this route. There is a lot of cactus alongside you and some rocky sections to navigate and overcome. Steel your nerves and ride as much as you can.  Keep your eyes peeled for a steep section leading up hill to the left, one which I must confess to never having ridden up - too steep and loose for me. Up top, at the end of the steep, is some sort of radar [?] facility. I used to ride a circle this taking in the views, but notice that they have now put up signs warning people not to linger due to radiation exposure, so now I hop back on the bike and quickly head down the paved access road. This takes you down to an intersection with Via Verde again, just outside the parks' east entrance booth. Cross the road looking for the obvious continuation of the dirt route, or take the equestrian undercrossing, and then pick up the trail again heading gradually up around the perimeter of the equestrian center. There is an interesting rock outcropping at the top of this section of trail with some colorful lichen covering the large rocks. Might be worth a stop if you are into that sort of thing. If not, just continue down.

This next portion of the route I have seen called the Crosby Trail, or the Rocky Trail, and it does indeed become quite rocky near the bottom. The rock is good solid bedrock, unforgiving, with some challenging ruts, but is doable, even by me. If you are not into that though, soon after topping out at the lichen rocks, take the detour to the left, the Corkscrew Trail, and marked by a sign. This detour is steeper with a loose surface, but is also less of a challenge. The two trails meet back together. Which ever you decide, check out the spot light on the tower to the right near the bottom. I have never been sure if this is some sort of relic, a part of the airfield, or used to find wayward golfers on the back nine of the adjacent golf course. I am guessing a combination of the first two, but the last would be much more fun. After things have leveled out, and at the junction go left. This will wind around below the public rv park, and come out at a paved access road running alongside the airfield and into said rv park.

some of what the Crosby Trail has to offer

the Jungle

At the locked gate hit the dirt service road on the right and fly down the little decline below some camp spots and into the Jungle. The road through here is clear and smooth, but deeply overgrown along its sides, in fact so deeply that the trees and shrubs form a tunnel enclosing you. You may catch glimpses of water and think you have entered a swamp, hence this sections popular name. Sometimes fluff falls from the cottonwoods; it is almost surreally different from anything else along the route. At the exit from the Jungle you reach the one stream crossing in the park. Sometimes this is easy, others it can be quite deep with wheel sucking mud at the entrance. Either way you have to cross, so do, go right on the access road alongside a picnic area, cross over the drive aisle / parking lot at any point and pick up the trail that runs alongside Puddingstone Drive. This is the same trail you started on, so take it back to the start, circle the park again, or hit up some of the other interior trails. There is a lot to offer. The loop as described finished off at slightly over 10 miles and slightly under 1400 feet of elevation gain.

Over the Notch In Search of Autumn Ride...

Good to my word, I did indeed ride Manker Flat to Stockton Flat, and back to Manker Flat yesterday morning. It was a beautiful morning for it, with the sky a most brilliant blue, and the temperatures in the very comfortable range. For those not familiar with the route, it is ridden entirely on dirt service roads in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests. The road from Manker Flat up to Baldy Notch serves the ski area up there, and so for the most part is pretty well compacted, with just enough loose stuff to keep you focused. The road on the other side, between the Notch and Stockton Flat, is a different daemon altogether. It is only infrequently used and so is littered with loose material - rocks, pine cones, branches, and the occasional boulder. Maintain some momentum headed down this side and it is entirely rideable. It is that long climb back up where you run into complications; you're going fairly slow to begin with and trying to stay upright as you slip and slide over the loose rock. It definitely wears you down. As a result I end up hiking considerable portions of this side of the mountain, pushing my bike beside me. I expect it by now, and it's all good. Just a part of the adventure, though it does add some time to the journey. 

So did I find Autumn? There were clear signs of it: The cooler temperatures, great mounds and swaths of newly fallen or well chewed pine cones, chunky squirrels with big, bushy tails, yellow colors - in the willow leaves and rabbitbrush flowers. It was mostly evident at the beginning of the ride, at Manker Flat, where the Maples were vivid, especially set against the dark green of the pines. Sadly, speaking of pines, many of the ones growing at Stockton Flat had a sickly yellow pallor in their needles. I finished the ride foot-sore, hiking in cycling shoes, even those made of mountain biking, is just not ideal, but it was well worth the effort.

I didn't leave quite a early as I had wanted, but early enough that 

long shadows were being cast down the slopes as I neared the Notch

That's Stockton Flat on the North Fork Lytle Creek whose boulder-strewn

wash cuts a wide swath through, completely obliterating the road in places

Taking a bit of a rest at campsite #12, Big Horn Campground, Stockton Flat

Rabbitbrush and pines at Stockton Flat

This wash coming down from Mt. Harwood had strewn boulders across the road,

making it impassible the last time I was here. The road was clear and rideable

this time, so someone has done some work.

Ghost trees, remnants of the Grand Prix Fire of 2003

I always liked this view of the road cut headed back up to Baldy Notch

from Stockton Flat - the blue sky and pines on the edge

Maples at Manker Flat

CHWP Today...

It had been a while since the Felt had seen the light of day, or direct sunlight anyway. So, this morning I braved the mass of dirt walkers, dogs, snakes and lizards, and rode on up into the canyons and hills of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. I got a later start, hoping that the heat would have thinned the crowd out by then, but no, they were still thick as flies on an old piece of salami. Back in April I posted about the Marshall Canyon / CHWP Loop; everything was nice and spring-green then. Now, the same hillsides have become sun-blasted into nice dull shades of brown. Many of the wildflowers that remain have had the color leached from their petals, although much of the monkeyflower and the mustard are still obliviously blooming. 

That long grind up Burbank Canyon always seems like something you have to suffer through in order to get to the good stuff. I like climbing for the simple sake of climbing; there does not have to be a downhill at the end of it all as reward (though I relish that reward as much as anyone), but the lack of shade, no stream crossings, and little of scenic note, make Burbank Canyon a kind of purgatory, somewhere between where you have been, and where you want to be. Maybe that's just how I felt today. Of course, I have done the climb who knows how many times, and no matter how many of those walkers, dogs, snakes and lizards you throw into the mix as obstacles, it never really changes. Someone who rarely rides, or has never ridden the canyon may see it with different eyes. Up at the top of the canyon there were a couple kids on bmx bikes - good job making up there on those; I made a quick left at the saddle for a fast ride over to Johnson's Pasture and La Verne summit. The shade provided by the big old pines along the way are always welcome. A little basking at the top of LV hill, and then back the way I came to the saddle, along the ridge to the Rotary (or is it Kiwanis) shelter, I can never remember which organization paid for it, and then the 'let 'er run' descent of Cobal Canyon. Water, ruts, rocks, transitions from bright light to deep shade - I love Cobal, even on days when you can't take it quite as fast. Back at the bottom, at the final stream crossing, a father and two daughters got a kick out of my splashing though at full speed. Before headed home, I turned off at the paved Thompson Creek Trail, and then took, what I call Powerline, which basically parallels the TCT. Powerline is a little dirt double-track (technically a dirt service road running beneath the mammoth power line towers); it is rarely used and is little more than two parallel singletrack trails. Eventually sometime this summer I imagine they will come through with a grader are ruin it for a while, for now there are some loose rocks, but mostly you can just go flat out - it's good handling practice.

white sage doesn't get the deep purple coloring of other sages,

but even its pale flowers seemed a bit washed out today.

Quotable Link: sNOw Riding at Tahoe Meadows...

"Riding out of Tahoe Meadows won’t be possible until AFTER the longest day of the year!   That’s right, we’ll already be on the decline back to winter before enjoying that trail."

Quote, and more, at Bike Carson.

Manker to the Notch, and over the top...

A recent post over at the nearby blog, Bicycle Friends, about getting a GMR / Baldy Road / Baldy Notch ride (all those road miles on knobby tires did not appeal to my senses) but it did get me thinking about my own favorite wide-tired ride up there - Manker Flat, over the Notch, down to Stockton Flat, and back. So, I took a break from some paperwork today and set out for the high country. Calling it a perfect day up there, might sound trite (as most days amongst the peaks seem to the perfect), and the only way to have made it better would be to have ridden with a group. I have not been up there since prior to the winter snows shutting it down, so I was not sure what to expect, especially on the north side of Baldy. Thus, I was not really planning on going any past the Notch. As it was, that was probably for the best because I climbed like a dog, and was not going to reach to top in any record time. 

San Antonio Falls looking refreshing as ever

Desert View

mandatory shot from the lodge at the Notch. Baldy is in the background,

partially hidden by the ridge in the foreground

That said, when I reached Desert View and saw that the road down to Stockton Flat was perfectly clear, I did ride down a few hundred yards, before deciding I did not want to climb any more this day, and turned around. I will save the second half of this one for another day, maybe get a group together, that always makes those long climbs pass quicker. Anyway, back to today; the route was typical, a lot of loose stuff, and far too many patches of soft dirt where recent grading had taken place - hopefully the weekend foot soldiers and riders will have it sorted out soon. A nice light breeze kept the air cool as it whispered through the pines, birds were chirping, brooks were babbling their way down the slopes of Baldy; it all made my panting from the effort seem offensive in some way. The squealing of my front brakes coming back down the mountain was downright sacrilegious, and will have to be dealt with soon as I will not tolerate rogue sounds emanating from my bike.

other than a lone hiker enjoying the panorama of Desert View,

Baldy Notch seemed to be abandoned, so I settled for photos of my own legs...

 the front wheel on the 29er...

and the bear bell on my camelbak

There was a lot of work taking place along Baldy Road in preparation for the two upcoming biggie events, the L'Etape du California, and stage 7 of the Tour of California. The section of pavement washed away by the winter storms is repaved and smooooooth, a crew and fleet of trucks were busy repainting lane stripes through Baldy Village and all the way up to the bottom of the ski lifts, while another crew was busy changing all the light bulbs (or at least replacing the burnt out ones) in the tunnels, and brush has been cleared from the road shoulders in many places where it had been encroaching, and/or to provide extra parking, because you know a lot of people will drive up to watch, especially during the Tour.

 there is still some snow; banks of it on the upslopes along the road down

to Stockton Flat, north side of Mt. Baldy

not the weekend, so they were motionless in the breeze

My Favorite Routes V: Marshall Canyon / CHWP Loop...

The My Favorite Routes series provides a glimpse of some of the more notable rides in my repertoire. They may be either road or mountain, and may be notable for a variety of reasons which include, but are not limited to, scenery, fun-factor, or challenge. This installment describes two of the most popular park areas along the San Gabriel front range, east of San Gabriel Canyon - Marshall Canyon in the city of La Verne, and the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. The route as ridden is a true loop and can be done in either direction; each direction has its own attractions, and you may want to try each way to determine which you like best. My Favorite Routes will always reflect my most recent riding of the given route so descriptions are as accurate as possible for current conditions, which in this case would be yesterday morning.

 an inauspicious beginning

 streamside rambling

 a rocky crossing

and one smooth as silk

This is one of those rides that starts from the door. As such it does require some mountain bike road riding, of which I am no fan. However, by riding the loop in a clockwise direction, almost all of those miles are downhill; a big plus as far as I am concerned. Every ride needs a starting point, for me that is home, but for anyone else lets just call it the Vons parking lot at Mills and Baseline; if you time it right you have a few choices for a post-ride lunch. Heading west along Baseline, up and over the Baseline hump, in a little under 5 miles you will come to the Marshall Creek channel. It is nondescript, and if you are not paying attention you can ride right past it. If you notice an elementary school on the left you have gone a little too far. In either case you are going to follow the access road along the channel, so ride between the motor vehicle barrier and head up. You will want to cross the little bridge that shortly presents itself, and navigate a couple street crossings, but before you have gone six miles from the start point you will reach the water detention and debris basin. This is where the Marshall Canyon singletrack, and the fun, begin. When I rode through this morning there was a work crew with heavy equipment dredging the basin - dump trucks were using the access road, so be aware.

 was i riding fast! was i? (there is a 3 Stooges gag in there somewhere)

 looking down into Owen's Plunge

 up to the tunnel

 revenge of the trees

 granted, not a good photo but, does anyone else have the impression

that this area is begging for a night-time Halloween ride

eeewww, poo... pretty much everywhere

From this point the Marshall Canyon section of the route consists of a mostly gently rolling trail inclined gradually upward alongside, and crossing Marshall Creek. The steepest pitches you will find are those where the trail plunges down to the creek bottom and then back up the other side. Usually these are short and you simply give a quick punch to the pedals to climb out. Less experience riders may want to walk some, but there is nothing wrong with that. This lower portion of canyon is deeply forested, majestic old oaks entwining overhead keep it cool and shady on the hottest summer day. Pockets of wildflowers can quilt the hillsides most times of the year; if you want to get up close though, watch what you touch, as poison oak is especially prevalent. It is easy to see why a small deer herd makes the canyon its home.


After rolling through a few stream crossings, spraying the legs with mud and sand, you will come to a crossing known as Owen's Plunge. There is a concrete basin and some pipes on either side of the crossing. I can't imagine them serving any current purpose, but there they are. How did Owen's Plunge get its name you ask? Well, there was this kid named Owen, who on one of this first mountain bike rides, and based on poor advice from his father, misjudged his speed and the turn before the stream crossing, and plunged head first into the mud and muck beside the water. Live and learn I guess, I know for a fact that the same kid is a singletrack daemon these days. Anyway, after the Plunge, you will come to, and ride onto, the Marshall Canyon golf course. Follow the concrete path, or the muddy track alongside it until it reenters the woods at yet another stream crossing. For some reason I especially like taking this one at speed. In a short distance you will come upon some old wooden structure in the midst of the oaks, which I always assumed was some sort of clandestine equestrian meeting place, but who knows. Because there is a relatively large open area here, group rides will often regroup at this spot. And since I bring up the point of equestrians, keep in mind that Marshall Canyon is in the middle of horse country, there are also a lot of trail runners from local schools, and day hikers. Keep your eyes and ears open.

 choose right or left, it's up to you

 top o' the right route looking back down

the plateau, where the trails come together

You have come upon a few trail junctions by now, but have bypassed them all in favor of staying on the main, creekside trail. When you ride away from the old wooden structure, you have two options: First, you can veer right, cross the stream and head up hill out of the canyon, or second, you can continue following the stream to the left. The two paths will meet up further along. The left route packs in many stream crossings in a short distance, before a minor technical climb out of the canyon. The route right, takes you on a more evenly gradual climb out. I usually go right, but only because I like to make a mini-loop by riding back down the other way (quite fun splashing through all those stream crossings at speed you know), and then back up to continue on. The two trails come back together at an open plateau area, and outside the gates of a large equestrian event area. You will continue rolling along the undulating trail up above the canyon, briefly plunge back down into its wooded depths, before the trail t-bones a dirt fire road. You could actually go either way here, and if you like exploring try both, they go different places, but ultimately both enter the CHWP. For simplicities sake, we are going left today. Climb out of the sandy canyon bottom by either the fire road, or the sometimes faint trail which starts out by following the normally dry, sandy creek bed.

 not the only one on the trail today, but nearly so

 blue dicks, go ahead and laugh, but that is the common name

 with apologies to Scotland, those things suck when they dry out,

thorns in your hands and legs if you stray too close

 all the moss would suggest that it is a bit shady down here

 trail junction / rest area

go right, definitely go right

Depending on which way you have chosen to go you will, sooner or later, merge onto another dirt road. This is the Palmer-Evey, another portion of which I highlighted in an earlier My Favorites posting. Keep pressing ever upward, moving in and out of shady woodland and sunny, exposed mountainside. Eventually you will come to another major trail junction, with a picnic table, in the shade of the oaks, and beside the stream. This is the perfect spot for a moment of rest. Whether you follow the single track to the right and across the steam, or stay with the dirt road, your route is now going to become steep and, in the summer, hot. Now, I know you are tempted by that word single track, and want to go right but, as much as I favor climbing to descending, that way is much preferable coming down than going up. Therefore, I am sticking to the road. That said, in another 50-100 yards, definitely do take the s.t. off to the right - both routes will meet further along. I don't know if the trail is slightly longer and thus somewhat more gradual, or if being single track just makes it more fun to ride, but I loath that short section of road, and... I took it today anyway. Continue following the road upward, above the canyon, in the sun, dripping sweat. Hey, it may have been cooler today, but it was also humid as heck, the mountains wreathed in mist. The remainder of the route up to the CHWP is mostly unremarkable. I think the local apiarist has his bee hives out on the plateau (if you know what and where I mean) since the little buggers were steaming back and forth across the road, and all around me, or so it seemed. We mostly were able to avoid colliding with one another. At the gate you will crest, then enter the CHWP, where a map will greet you if you are not familiar. Go left, tackle a short uphill stretch, and then it is all downhill back to Mills and the start point. Take the two stream crossings, and that perpetually muddy seep area, at full speed, as long as they are clear of pedestrians, your last chance to leave with that fine muddy, sandy spray all over your legs, back and face; marks of a truly great day of riding.

we were at that reservoir a few minutes ago 

looking out over Claremont from Coyote Howl Plateau 

for all the stream crossings and mud i rode through,

i must say the bike and i arrived home surprisingly clean

Just a note to finish up about tackling this loop in a counterclockwise direction: Much more uphill road riding, including the finish miles along Baseline, but more singletrack descending. Pick your medicine. About 16.5 miles round trip (why do mountain bike rides seem so much longer than they actually are?), and a paltry 1700 feet of climbing.


My Favorite Routes I: the Palmer-Evey
My Favorite Routes II: Mountain Junction Loop
My Favorite Routes III: Highway 39, and here, and here, and here
My Favorite Routes IV: Guardians of the Canyon

Into the Semi-Wild, Behind the Santa Fe Dam...

With the boy on Spring Break this week, we took our mountain bikes out and did some riding on new dirt. While I often take the road bike down the San Gabriel River Trail, I have never taken my mtb out to explore that big open expanse behind the dam. I am not talking the park area around the lake, but more the semi-wilderness, crossed by dirt roads and more faint traces where, seemingly, few people ever go.

What we found back there were wildflowers galore, massive yuccas, berries in various states of ripeness (the dark red ones were fairly sweet), an expanse of deep woodland (which we could not really get into because of flooding), a little *hush* pump track *hush* which we of course tried out, the San Gabriel River which is running quite full right now, cages where U.S. Fish and Wildlife are capturing invasive cowbirds to help protect the nesting of our native birds, the backside of the Renaissance Faire (which started last weekend), a ton of tadpoles, old dried up frog carcasses, and a bunch of other stuff.

Eventually our nice dry route ran into water and mud, so we backtracked a bit, cut through the RenFaire parking, and rode along a faint track along the base of the dam. As we got closer to the outlet for the dam, we rode along a nice stream with grassy banks.

Eventually, that water we were riding alongside, as well as the water in the main channel of the river merged into a very small lake. It is funny, you never see much water being held back by the dam, but when you are at the bottom and look up you can see large tree trunks and other driftwood well up from the bottoms, and you know that at some point in the past it held much more. 

A couple river channels turned into many, which meant there was water and mud everywhere. In fact I think you could grow rice down there right now. When you have sticky, sloppy muck adhering to every moving part, it brings you to a standstill pretty quickly. We tried to get around the lake and find a ford across the river, but it was no use. So we dunked our bikes in the river which took off most of the gunk, climbed up some stairs alongside the outlet gates, crossed over, then back down, and continued on.

While the mud really backed-up behind my fork, my little alien friend, perched on the rear brake bridge, stayed high and clean. Even though we got most of the mud off in the river, when I gave the bikes a good cleaning at home later, I found all kinds of rocks and pieces of driftwood wedged into nooks and crannies. All this portaging and cleaning took its toll on the passage of time, so we were not able to explore as much as I wanted to; there are still those woods to find a way into, and the detention basins along the I-605, and then the main channel of the San Gabriel River with its bluffs. When things dry out a bit more, we will be back for those.