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An wesome fireroad trek with great views and interesting history lessons.


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Map Key

23.9

Miles

38.5

KM

5%

Singletrack

7,119' 2,170 m

High

5,098' 1,554 m

Low

3,758' 1,146 m

Up

3,759' 1,146 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

The gates to the Millwood OHV staging (parking) area can be closed in the spring due to mud and/or snow. Non-specific dates.

Overview

While this ride is almost exclusively forest service road, it is a great escape that is relatively easy to get to from Fresno. You'll be riding just before and around the tip of King's Canyon National Park, with great Westward-looking views. Highly recommended in the summer late afternoon/evening when the temps will be low because of the altitude and the sunset views are not to be missed.

Need to Know

Just before the entrance to King's Canyon National Park, you'll see signs for a YMCA Camp at Lake Sequoia. This is where you'll turn off the 180 and want to drop down to the left to the Millwood staging area/parking lot. Don't park at the turn-off or on YMCA property to the right. This is an OHV area, although I have never encountered any while riding during the week days. Weekends might be busy.

Description

After parking at the staging area, head NW over a bridge. Start heading up Abbot Creek Road (fire road). For the first 4 miles this is relatively easy, and the westward views are worth some stops. The next 2 miles are steep climbing to a 4 corners area. Stay on the fire road and go left on 4 Corners to visit the Chicago Stump (google it).

After that, head back to 4 corners and go straight to get on the Park Ridge Loop until you hit the 180 at Cherry Gap. Cross carefully, continuing on the Fireroad to the right. Stay left at the 'T' intersection in a couple of miles. Now you'll be descending some very loose steep sections, until the trail meets another 'T' where you'll want to almost 180 to your left and climb back up to Cherry Gap where you'll cross the 180 again and back to 4 Corners to bomb back to your car.

History & Background

At the parking lot, you'll see a sign behind a tree with the story of Millwood - a logging boom town in the 1800s. It's a pretty amazing story considering nothing remains of the town today. When you get to the Chicago Stump you can read about how it was cut down for the Chicago World's fair - and visitors to the fair thought it was a hoax. At the Cherry Gap crossing you can read a plaque on the story of the Converse Basin and the logging of Giant Sequoias.

Contacts

Shared By:

Dan Oakland

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 7 votes

#3298

Overall
  3.4 from 7 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
29%
Recommended Route Rankings

#419

in California

#3,298

Overall
14 Views Last Month
6,252 Since May 29, 2014
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Photos

Imagine finding a tree so large that it dwarfed the tallest building known at the time.  Before it became the Chicago Stump, the General Noble Tree was the largest tree ever cut.  It would have taken about 18 men with arms outstretched to complete a tree hug.
May 29, 2014 near Squaw V…, CA
The Park Ridge loop is tough, but the views are amazing.
Jun 21, 2014 near Squaw V…, CA
Take your time, save your legs for the last 2 miles of Abbot Creek before 4 Corners.
Jun 21, 2014 near Squaw V…, CA
Wrapping up the Park Ridge loop can be tough after everything before it.
Jun 30, 2014 near Squaw V…, CA
Sure, it looks inviting...
Jul 30, 2014 near Squaw V…, CA
Four Corners is a great spot to hear the 'roar' of the forest.
May 29, 2014 near Squaw V…, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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