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This 7.5 mile climb never seems to end. Great view at the top.


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Map Key

15.0

Miles

24.1

KM

0%

Singletrack

5,061' 1,543 m

High

2,271' 692 m

Low

2,843' 866 m

Up

2,842' 866 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This fireroad slog leads to a set of communication towers and is made worth it by the amazing views at the top. Coming back down is awesome, as you can carry a lot of speed on the fire road - carrying speed makes it super challenging as there are ruts to be avoided, loose sand to be navigated, and tight corners to be turned.

Need to Know

You might not see anyone on this 15 mile round trip, so bring tools. If you are going fast coming down, you probably don't want to ride this alone.

Description

This long fireroad slog leads up to a set of communication towers, but is made worth it by the nice views at the top. Coming back down is awesome as you can carry a lot of speed on the fireroad -- carrying speed makes it super challenging as there are ruts to be avoided, loose sand to be navigated, and tight corners to turned.

On the way up, there are sections that are 12% grade and you really work hard, then you get a nice flat section and catch your breath, but not for long. This trail is 7.5 miles up and you can see the communication towers at points along the way which might fool you into thinking you're almost there - you aren't. Going up, this trail is a really good workout - all the while you have fantastic views of both the Angeles National Forest as well as downtown LA, Glendale, Pasadena, and on a clear day, Santa Monica and Long Beach.

Coming down, you can go seriously fast! However, there are challenges on the way down that make speed an interesting challenge - ruts down the center of the road, some shallow some deep ruts going across the road, and some curves with loose gravel. If you are riding conservatively, these are no problem, but if you are going flat out you have to be super alert and competent to navigate them.

I think it takes about 1:45 to get up, and about 25 minutes to get down.

This climb is high enough that the weather at the top is not always the same as the weather at the bottom. In fall, winter, and spring, you need warm clothes at the top. Sometimes the top is actually in the clouds!

Contacts

Shared By:

greg brandeau

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 17 votes

#2

in Arroyo Seco

#2284

Overall
  3.6 from 17 votes
5 Star
18%
4 Star
35%
3 Star
35%
2 Star
12%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Arroyo Seco

#289

in California

#2,284

Overall
39 Views Last Month
9,352 Since Nov 15, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
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92%
0%
8%
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Photos

Nice sunset at the top.
Nov 15, 2014 near La Cres…, CA
Depending on the weather, you get amazing sunsets.
Nov 15, 2014 near La Cres…, CA
View into Haines Canyon from the trail of the same name.
Jan 14, 2016 near La Cres…, CA
Emerging from the clouds coming down the Mt. Lukens Fire Station trail.
Nov 15, 2014 near La Cres…, CA
Summit. Mnt Lukens.
Feb 19, 2021 near La Cres…, CA
View to the east during the climb.
Jul 13, 2017 near La Cres…, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 54 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Feb 15, 2023
Ted X
Landslide about one third of the way up that can be walked over. 15mi — 2h 30m
Aug 9, 2020
Nicolas Rumigny
turn back @1/2 7mi — 1h 00m
Jun 15, 2019
Colin Smith
Mar 20, 2018
Naterzz Limey
Need a day pass to park at the entrance- not mentioned in the description! 15mi
Sep 23, 2016
Alex Johnson
haines cyn to altadena 20.94
Nov 19, 2015
Nils-Erik Hilliard
Fun! with Andrew, Ash, & Daniel 25.5mi — 3h 09m
Nov 10, 2015
Nils-Erik Hilliard
Sunset cold fingers, no gloves
Nov 1, 2015
Nils-Erik Hilliard
With bushwhacking descent to upper big t — 7h 11m
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