Claremont Wilderness Loop : Mountain Biking : MBPost

Overview

The Claremont Wilderness Loop is the standard ride in the college town of Claremont which resides in the Inland Valley Empire of Southern California. The Claremont Wilderness consists of grassy hills that are criss crossed with fireroads, illegal single track, and game paths. The hilly region is actually a extension of the San Gabriel Mountains. The loop is just a baisc ride in which many alternate routes can be added. Popular options are Marshall Canyon via singletrack, Potato Mountain via fireroad, and Webb Canyon which is a rugged downhill with freeride features. There is a movement in Claremont to preserve more of the hillsides. Recent additions will be Johnson's Pasture and maybe parts of upper Webb Canyon. This trail can be linked with Webb Canyon, Johnson's Pasture, Evey Canyon, and Marshall Canyon.

Trail Description

From the parking area go through the gated trailhead and walk up the road for about .2 miles to the road split. On the left is Burbank Canyon Road and on the right is Cobal Canyon Road. Either road takes you to the main ridge road named Johnson's Pasture Road (JPR). Burbank is the steeper and shorter way to reach (JPR). Cobal Canyon Road is longer and more level.

Trail Statistics:
Burbank to Windy Pt. is about 1.75 miles one way with 1000 feet of gain.

Cobal Canyon to Windy Point is about 2.75 miles with 1000 feet of gain.

Total loop is 4.5 miles roundtrip with 1200 feet of gain.

Route Summary via Burbank-Windy-Cobal

Take the left turn at the first junction and head up the steep road for 1.5 miles reaching (JPR). Turn right onto (JPR) and head up to the high saddle area, you will round Windy Point on your left. Once at the saddle connecting Windy to (JPR) turn left and hike up the grassy firebreak to the top. On the return head back down to (JPR) and turn left, heading north onwards to the mountains ahead. Stay right at the first two junctions along (JPR). Eventually (JPR) reaches the Cobal Canyon saddle and descends into Cobal Canyon. Stay right at the junction midway down the canyon. Take this road all the way back to the trailhead. This route can be reversed.

Getting There

Take the 210 Freeway to the Basline off ramp in Claremont. You want to head west on Baseline to the second light interesction, Mills Ave. Turn right onto Mills and go north, towards the mountains, for about 2 miles to the Mount Baldy Road intersection. Go straight and pass the overflow parking and head up to the upper parking lot. If there is no parking go back to the overflow lot.

When to Bike & External Links

The park hours are from sunrise to sundown. Mountain bikers and hikers are to stay on fireroads only. And there is no camping. In the past my friends and I have camp all over these hills. There are places to hide and camp just outside of the park boundaries. There is little supervision in these hills, so do so at your own risk. Also fires are definitely not safe anywhere or anytime in these hills.

For closures and other information go to the Claremont Wilderness Park.

For more information on efforts to preserve the Claremont Hills go to savejohnsonspasture.org.

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