2.1 hr
Overview
The ride starts with a few switchbacks and then becomes the Descanso Motorway, which is a dirt fire road along the southwest side of the Gardens. It continues up to the Alpha Motorway, which leads south to the fire watchtower at the top. However, I opt to take a hard left at the second "landing" and go down about 0.5 miles and make a right onto a flowing singletrack. <br><br>This is Liz's Loop Trail and it drops onto the Cherry Canyon Motorway. Head left and then take the Canyon Trail Connector onto the lower third of the Canyon Trail. From the end, turn left and climb the Cherry Canyon Motorway for about five minutes to get to a five-point trail crossing. Here, there are a variety of trails, but this route opts to take you up the fire road to the fire watchtower. The fire watchtower sits atop a 1,887-foot peak in the San Rafael Hills. From here, there are great views of Flint Peak, the Verdugo Mountains, and the San Gabriel Mountain Range.<br> <br>When ready, head back down 75 yards, and turn right toward the fire road gate at the top of Sugar Loaf Drive. Take a hard left over a log onto the Cerro Negro Trail. This trail can be tricky and loose. <br><br>Soon, there is a quick climb to the top of a ridge. Continue right and go down and up more singletrack following the Cerro Negro Trail. This trail cuts left, northwest, and follows the southern side of Cherry Canyon. There are a few trail crossings, however, continue straight across all of them. You should end up at the five-point trail crossing at the top of Cherry Canyon again.<br> <br>From here, you can follow the Edison power lines and go north. Stay to the right and climb up to a bench. From here, you can go left down towards the next power line tower, and just behind it, emerges a singletrack called the Conservancy Trail. This ends at the gate on Forest Hill. I did the latter in this GPS track and it loops back up to the Alpha Motorway.<br> <br>I then climbed back up the Forest Hill fire road. Keep going up until you get to the bench again. Now f
Trail Stats
6.8 km
218 m
574 m
414 m
—
Photos
5 points - Looking at entrance to Canyon Trail on right of the bench
5 points - Looking at entrance to Canyon Trail on right of the bench
Starting Cherry Canyon Singletrack.
Starting Cherry Canyon Singletrack.
Cherry Canyon singletrack.
Cherry Canyon singletrack.
Cherry Canyon Trail.
Cherry Canyon Trail.
Cherry Canyon singletrack.
Cherry Canyon singletrack.
Cerro Negro intersection, to the left is technical section back up to ridge mortoway, straight loops around to 5 points, right goes down to Canyon Trail
Cerro Negro intersection, to the left is technical section back up to ridge mortoway, straight loops around to 5 points, right goes down to Canyon Trail
Cerro Negro Trail.
Cerro Negro Trail.
At Cherry Canyon Motorway.
At Cherry Canyon Motorway.
Picnic/rest area.
Picnic/rest area.
On top of Cherry Canyon.
On top of Cherry Canyon.
Nice singletrack.
Nice singletrack.
A steep climb up ahead.
A steep climb up ahead.
Cherry Canyon singletrack.
Cherry Canyon singletrack.
Rest bench on Cherry Canyon with great view.
Rest bench on Cherry Canyon with great view.
Cherry Canyon singletrack.
Cherry Canyon singletrack.