diphthong

not familiar with the east end of the san gabriels but interested in doing a loop trip in the lytle creek area if possible. would ideally like to ascend lytle creek and eventually meander up to wrightwood. can take the 138 back to the 15 fwy corridor if necessary.

yes...prepared for much climbing. it appears that lytle creek eventually joins lone pine after a switchbacking ascent but i'm assuming that most of that 'bridging area' between both roads (south to north) once out of the respective canyons is unpaved.

wondering about the conditions of lytle creek rd, swarthout canyon & lone pine and if all 3 are paved decently enough for road biking.
if there are dirt sections, how long? how rideable? maps don't always tell the whole story and i'd rather get info from those that have ridden/driven through there.

also...not able to clearly tell if there is a bike path or surface road that parallels the 15 fwy from glen helen area all the way to the 138
without a significant detour. cajon blvd looks like it goes through most of the way and common sense tells me there should be some passage but not definitively seeing it.

thanks to anyone with experience in this area that takes the time to respond with info.

Wulf

There are at least 2 routes between Lyttle Canyon and Swarthout/Lone Pine Canyons. Neither are paved. Applewhite goes up the hill from the campgrounds and at the top of the ridge decends down a pole-line to Swarthout. Sheep Creek is found a few yards further up Lyttle Canyon and goes up a wooded canyon eventually ending at Swarthout Canyon. In both cases, turn left onto Swarthout and it ends at Lone Pine Canyon road.

Genaro

Interesting. Ridable on a road bike ? or do you need fat tires ?

Lesper4

I think this discuession has been made in the past. You will need a mountian bike or off-road (all wheel drive) vechicle. As for the freeway I have been told it is legal to ride your bike on the freeway from the stretch by the gas station to the next off ramp by the trains (1 mile), from there you are back on surface streets. A better option if you have the legs is have someone drop you off at Encanto and ride up 39 to 2 and then come back the way you suggested. If you do the loop (with out being dropped off) that will be around 100 miles and 10,000ft.

Genaro

I just had an idea for an epic ride in the fall. Ride from my house to Hwy 2 and all the way back to get picked up at 138 and 15. I am not riding my bike over the 15.

Lesper4

Cant be any worse then PCH up near Carpenteria?

mtrider05

It's better than that actually, no door zone and the shoulder is way wider. The 15 isn't bad at all.

furiousbox

I know this thread is fairly old but I was wondering if anyone could check the last part of the route I've made. Planning on riding the ACH and taking metrolink back to LA and am a bit unsure about the last bit. I've read differing points of view about riding Lone pine/swarthout/lytle creek down and also people discouraging Sierra Blvd. to Fontana. Would it be better to reroute and take the train from Rancho Cucamonga?
I've ridden the 101 stretch on the way to Carpinteria and don't mind riding dirt on the roadie if it's not too technical(not sure how i'll feel after 90 miles though).

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4693477
Thanks!

edit: it would help if i actually posted the route

Lesper4

That looks fine, there may be some traffic on Sierra past the 210.

Michael Humes

it is fery interesting..

furiousbox

Great, thanks!

Lesper4

Let me make a few corrections now that I have zoomed in a little.
-Take Kenwood to Devore Rd at the junction of the 215/15 freeway. You should only be on the freeway for one mile up at the Cajon Junction.
-Lone Pine Canyon would be a better option descending out of Wrightwood, way less traffic.
-Lastly it looks like you are actually on a dirt road up near Grassy Holly/Baden Powell. You will be on Highway 2 the entire route.

furiousbox

Thanks again. I've made the changes you suggested to the map.
I had noticed the dirt road section by Baden-Powell but for some reason ridewithgps will not allow me to continue the route on the 2 through that section.

diphthong

nevermind. for a road bike to really adventure in that area risks broken spokes and worse.
swarthout canyon is 3.5 miles of not so good dirt road between lone pine canyon rd and kenwood rd/devore rd area.
i think i'd rather take my chances on a paved hwy 138.

Lesper4

No matter what that is a hot area with little water this time of year.

diphthong

and an area with no services semi-nearby without an epic effort. pretty harsh environment overall. hwy 138 to the 15 south is looking better than i imagined.
at least i can take some pics of the mormon rocks.