30 LA TUNA CANYON LOOP

KEY AT-A-GLANCE INFORMATION

Length: 8.7 miles

Configuration: Loop

Technical difficulty: 4

Aerobic difficulty: 3

Scenery: Los Angeles, Verdugo Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains

Exposure: 75% exposed to sunshine

Trail traffic: Moderate–heavy on weekdays, heavy on weekends

Trail surface: Dry with loose and embedded rocks

Riding time: 1.5–2.5 hours

Access: Sunrise–sunset, 7 days a week

Maps: USGS 7.5-minute quad: Burbank

Special comments: Heat and smog can plague this area; check forecasts before proceeding.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES (WGS84)

UTM Zone 11S

Easting 381206

Northing 3788821

Latitude N 34.14′02″

Longitude W 118.17′26″

DIRECTIONS

From Los Angeles, take I-5 to Sun Valley, and exit at Sunland Boulevard. Head north on Sunland approximately 0.8 miles, and turn right onto La Tuna Canyon Road. Head east about 3.3 miles, and park on the wide shoulder in front of the small picnic area.

In Brief

Without a doubt, the La Tuna Canyon loop provides the most enjoyable ride in the immediate vicinity of Los Angeles. It would be worthy of numerous visits even if it weren’t the most centrally located ride in LA, which it is. It has all the key elements of a great loop—an aerobic ascent, fantastic views, and an action-packed singletrack downhill at the end, all of which are packed tightly into a manageable package short enough for an afternoon or before-work visit.

Description

After gearing up, remain wary of speeding vehicles as you ascend La Tuna Canyon Road heading east toward the trailhead. Don’t worry—after roughly 1.75 miles you won’t smell engine exhaust for the rest of the loop. Turn right into the parking lot, which appears just before the road intersects Interstate 210. Cross the gate at the south end of the parking lot and begin the ascent, which is paved in the beginning and gives way to dirt after a short distance.

After a mellow, winding ascent, you gain roughly 1,600 feet by the 4.4-mile mark, where an absolutely stunning view appears. On a clear day, it’s possible to see directly across the skyscrapers of downtown LA all the way to the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Even on a typical smoggy day, the views are breathtaking. After snapping a few pictures, turn right (west), and start the blisteringly fast fire-road descent.

Locals always make it look easy.

Two miles from the summit and about 6.6 miles from the start of the ride, you’ll see a firebreak on the right. The singletrack that takes you back to your car branches off from this firebreak, but it’s very easy to miss. Once you’ve located it, start the tricky, narrow, rocky, rutted descent with a lowered saddle to ensure control and proper weight distribution. The trail from this point includes all the elements of a great singletrack—switchbacks, ruts, and rocks to negotiate—but at a steeper grade many will find uncomfortable yet exciting.

After a few short climbs, you’ll drop briefly into a shaded streambed. After a few pedal strokes, the speeding cars of La Tuna Canyon Road (and, hopefully, your car) will come into view. Never again do you have to drive out of your way for great mountain biking in the city of Los Angeles. The La Tuna Canyon loop, seldom included in a SoCal biker’s list of top-ten rides, is the best-kept secret in the area.

After the Ride

For rich, carb-replenishing Italian food, visit Giannino, at 2630 Hyperion Avenue in Los Angeles; (323) 664-7979. If you prefer a casual, highly regarded, hole-in-the-wall barbecue outfit, go to Pecos Bill’s Bar-B-Q, at 1551 Victory Boulevard in Glendale; (818) 241-2750.