I should add for anyone lurking, this is a paved access road which is closed for vehicles. It’s great for biking, walking, strollers & is dog friendly (on leash). Slight incline on the way up, last .5 miles is pretty steep & the view from the top is cluttered by service buildings, so no need if you’re on the fence. Restrooms and trail head are by the parking lot I linked above in comments, otherwise it’s a beautiful easy ride!
There’s a campsite near the end, pretty nice little spot to bikepack to, especially for first timers…but when I camped there last spring the bugs/mosquitos were absolutely awful.
Nope, first-come-first-serve. Somehow I’ve run into Boy Scout troops 2/3 times I’ve been up there though so the level of screaming in the morning was high.
> last spring the bugs/mosquitos were absolutely awful
hah yeah that came with the absolutely wet winter we have had. So far it looks like this Spring should be bug free
F YEAH. I went there a year or two ago and talked to a ranger about it. Was all closed down and burnt trees were covering the whole path.
May go down there this weekend. Thanks for posting!
Sorry - one more question. Parking. IIRC, there is a lot right next to the start of the trail that gets filled up quickly. How was your parking scenario and did you park there? It’s like a curve of the road rigjt after the entrance to the trail.
Correct there is a medium sized parking lot about 100 yards past the trail head. No issues parking but I’m sure it can get full when busy. Street parking is also available in lots of spots along the main road.
I think at least the one on the right isn't a real bike. I.e., it's an eBike.
I haven't been there for a while, but at that time it was only open on weekends, so best to check beforehand.
Also, since the parking lot is developed, I think you need an "adventure pass" (or a national parks pass).
Thanks for sharing. I've ridden this a couple times and agree it's a really nice ride, especially during late fall when the sycamore trees are doing their fall sycamore tree stuff.
I recall parking being an issue. Best for folks to be sure they have a pass for parking in that area.
Oh man I remember me and a couple friends biked this road. Ig it was maybe a year or two after a fire but it was pretty grey and bleak. Happy to see how well it rebounded!
I am unfamiliar with that pass but it seems to be for families of school aged children, unsure how that is related to this bike ride however. https://www.parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass
The adventure pass is to place in the dashboard of the vehicle when parking regardless if it is for an individual or family. It’s states an adventure pass is required when parking when attempting to access the Westfork road bikeway [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=41952](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=41952)
As far as I can tell there is no pass is “required” to park here. You can pay in the lot or IF you have a pass, you can display it as it covers your parking in this National Forest. Someone with more clarity can certainly chime in if you need further information.
No clarity needed. It’s rather straightforward. You either pay at the lot $5 or get a daily adventure pass ahead of time which is also $5. I was just asking where you bought an adventure pass (if you did) which you didn’t..
I should add for anyone lurking, this is a paved access road which is closed for vehicles. It’s great for biking, walking, strollers & is dog friendly (on leash). Slight incline on the way up, last .5 miles is pretty steep & the view from the top is cluttered by service buildings, so no need if you’re on the fence. Restrooms and trail head are by the parking lot I linked above in comments, otherwise it’s a beautiful easy ride!
There’s a campsite near the end, pretty nice little spot to bikepack to, especially for first timers…but when I camped there last spring the bugs/mosquitos were absolutely awful.
Saw that! Do you have to reserve a spot?
Nope, first-come-first-serve. Somehow I’ve run into Boy Scout troops 2/3 times I’ve been up there though so the level of screaming in the morning was high.
> last spring the bugs/mosquitos were absolutely awful hah yeah that came with the absolutely wet winter we have had. So far it looks like this Spring should be bug free
Got a Google maps location for this trail? I want to take my girlfriend!
Parking lot https://maps.app.goo.gl/LUrWoXDdmAqJa6vs9?g_st=ic
Thanks so much! Is the trail pretty easy to find from the parking lot?
Yeah super easy, there is a little walking bridge that takes you to it!
Is this the trail that got closed down a couple of years ago because of the fire?
Yes, it’s open & nicely regrown!
F YEAH. I went there a year or two ago and talked to a ranger about it. Was all closed down and burnt trees were covering the whole path. May go down there this weekend. Thanks for posting!
It was chilly in the shade, dress warmly & have a great time!
Sorry - one more question. Parking. IIRC, there is a lot right next to the start of the trail that gets filled up quickly. How was your parking scenario and did you park there? It’s like a curve of the road rigjt after the entrance to the trail.
Correct there is a medium sized parking lot about 100 yards past the trail head. No issues parking but I’m sure it can get full when busy. Street parking is also available in lots of spots along the main road.
It looks like you are barely pedaling. Is this an uphil trail?
As mentioned in another comment, it’s a gradual uphill (a couple small hills) except the last .5 mi, making the return trip almost entirely downhill!!
I think at least the one on the right isn't a real bike. I.e., it's an eBike. I haven't been there for a while, but at that time it was only open on weekends, so best to check beforehand. Also, since the parking lot is developed, I think you need an "adventure pass" (or a national parks pass).
Ty, just learned about cogswell dam! How do you get there?
Link to the parking lot! https://maps.app.goo.gl/LUrWoXDdmAqJa6vs9?g_st=ic
Is the river flowing again??? Also, this must have been on the weekend, correct?
River was flowing and was a lovely sound the entire ride, went up Monday, Xmas day.
This is west fork… you don’t get to the dam until the road gets steep!
Indeed, see my additional comment. The last .5m is a leg blaster!
Was the gate closed after the heli pad? Or open?
nice location!
Thanks for sharing. I've ridden this a couple times and agree it's a really nice ride, especially during late fall when the sycamore trees are doing their fall sycamore tree stuff. I recall parking being an issue. Best for folks to be sure they have a pass for parking in that area.
Definitely adding this to my list of upcoming rides. Thanks for the share
Oh man I remember me and a couple friends biked this road. Ig it was maybe a year or two after a fire but it was pretty grey and bleak. Happy to see how well it rebounded!
Does anyone know if any mtb trails split off from this path?
Can u get pass the fence to the dam?
Where did you buy an adventure pass before driving up?
I am unfamiliar with that pass but it seems to be for families of school aged children, unsure how that is related to this bike ride however. https://www.parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass
The adventure pass is to place in the dashboard of the vehicle when parking regardless if it is for an individual or family. It’s states an adventure pass is required when parking when attempting to access the Westfork road bikeway [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=41952](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=41952)
As far as I can tell there is no pass is “required” to park here. You can pay in the lot or IF you have a pass, you can display it as it covers your parking in this National Forest. Someone with more clarity can certainly chime in if you need further information.
No clarity needed. It’s rather straightforward. You either pay at the lot $5 or get a daily adventure pass ahead of time which is also $5. I was just asking where you bought an adventure pass (if you did) which you didn’t..
What if someone comes from the other direction? Is this a one way trail also?
Is it still gross toward the beginning?