4.5 hr
Overview
Starting from the Stough Canyon Nature Center, the Stough Canyon Fire Road is steep and loose for the first quarter mile before mellowing to a gradual 8-9% grade. Benches have been installed at several nice viewpoints, the first of which is also the bottom of the Old Youth Camp Trail (Scout Trail) where you'll re-join the fire road at the end of the ride. This section is popular with hikers so please observe courteous trail etiquette. <br><br>After a mile, the Stough Canyon Fire Road ends at a T-intersection with Verdugo Motorway. Take a right and continue to climb the road for ~three miles. Verdugo Motorway traverses the main ridge of the Verdugo Mountains and offers spectacular alternating views of Los Angeles, Burbank, and the San Gabriel Mountains. It connects to all the other fire roads on the range if you're ever interested in larger loops. <br><br>At 0.5 miles from the Stough intersection, you'll pass the top of the La Tuna Canyon Trail and after another mile, start to see where the ridgeline singletrack sections intersect the road. <br><br>Once you pass the Plantation Lateral (3.4 miles from start), the fire road levels off and it's a fun half mile to the intersection with Hostetter Fire Road on the left. Past that another quarter mile and up a short, punchy, paved climb, you'll find La Tuna towers, the highest point in the Verdugos and traditional meeting spot for riders coming from all directions. Rest, snack, chat, and get ready for a rippin' ride back down.<br><br>The Verdugo Crest singletrack sections start almost immediately. As you descend the paved driveway, the first singletrack section is on the right at the yellow post. It crosses the Motorway in about 50 yards and continues for another 30 yards or so before rejoining again at the Hostetter Fire Road intersection. Continue back the way you came along the flat part of the Verdugo Motorway and look for the next singletrack entrance on the left, just before you get to the Plantation Lateral. A short, punchy climb leads to a fun, flowy section and
Trail Stats
14.2 km
557 m
950 m
460 m
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Photos
It's a pretty good view of Burbank at the top of the Hostetter Fire Road.
It's a pretty good view of Burbank at the top of the Hostetter Fire Road.
Awesome lookout from the ridgeline singletrack.
Awesome lookout from the ridgeline singletrack.
Stough Canyon - halfway up
Stough Canyon - halfway up
Riding the ridge, just under the cloud cover.
Riding the ridge, just under the cloud cover.
View from the top. Get ready for the singletrack DH!
View from the top. Get ready for the singletrack DH!
Trail marker on Verdugo Motorway
Trail marker on Verdugo Motorway
Tree of Life
Tree of Life
Sean cruises by the chimney and foundation that give Old Youth Camp/Boy Scout trail its name.
Sean cruises by the chimney and foundation that give Old Youth Camp/Boy Scout trail its name.
Luis finishing the ascent to the top of Old Youth Camp Trail.
Luis finishing the ascent to the top of Old Youth Camp Trail.
The sun sets as I drop down from the vista/rest area at radio towers.
The sun sets as I drop down from the vista/rest area at radio towers.
Top of La Tuna Canyon Trail
Top of La Tuna Canyon Trail
Cisco demonstrates a 'heels-down, butt back' technical descent position.
Cisco demonstrates a 'heels-down, butt back' technical descent position.
Taking the singletrack sections instead of the road adds a ton of fun technical and built features between the end of the Hostetter climb and the start of the La Tuna Canyon trail.
Taking the singletrack sections instead of the road adds a ton of fun technical and built features between the end of the Hostetter climb and the start of the La Tuna Canyon trail.