Thanks for all the responses on beginner places to ride and I plan on visiting Stoddard and Ocotillo Wells once this weather cools down a little. In the mean time I was thinking the Lake arrowhead area would be the coolest spot. However, with all the fires going on I was wondering if anyone knows if any of the silverwood lake or Lake arrowhead area is closed? I have a map of these areas and would appreciate any comments on the difficulty level of roads in the area. I am new to quad riding and would like to start easy to learn how they handle. The roads I am looking at are 2N33, 2N36, 2N37 (silverwood lake, pilot rock area), and 3N34, 2n29Y, 2N27Y (pinnacles area).

Also does anyone know if 2n30 ro 2n40 around Marshall and Cloud peak are open to ATVs?

Cheers,
Jill

 

I think the fire is on the other side of the freeway??? Most of Cajon Pass burned last year, so I can't imagine there is much danger. But, I would call one of the ranger stations (Cajon 909-887-2576 or Arrowhead 909-337-2444) to be sure, before you make a long drive for nothing!

I rode 2N30 and 2N40 a few weeks ago. I park behind Cal. State (near the place where they land the gliders) and illegaly ride up the pavement to the trail head. It is a fun fire road ride. Do a search for directions to Cal State.

At Silverwood, the best place to stage from is Miller Canyon. Take the 138 east around the lake, and you will come to a sign that says Miller Canyon someting (I forget what). Turn left off of 18, then make an immediate right turn (I think there is a sign at the turn reminding you that you need an adventure pass???) down a dirt road. This is 2N37. There are two staging areas on the left a few hundred yards up. Most of the roads around Silverwood are beginner friendly (although rocky in spots), except 2N17X. Watch out for other traffic, particularly dirt bikes! From Miller Canyon you can ride fire roads up to 3W14, a single track trail that crosses over to Pinnacles. Parts of this is rutted and semi-technical, so be very careful here! It probably isn't for a beginner, but maybe check it out and deciede for yourself.

3N34 from Pinnacles is a nice fire road you can ride down to Deep Creek crossing. (But from Pinnacles, go down the road to the right, not up the steep hill to the left--they are both 3N34. The other trails you mentioned around Pinnacles, are semi-technical single track, and probably you should leave them alone until you are more experienced. The trails around Pinnacles are one of my favorite places, but they are challenging!!!

I know you have a daughter who is a beginner, right??? A good place to go is drive up to the Pinnacles staging area, and let her ride around the parking lot. Then as she get more experience you can venture down the roads, and later when you are all very experiecned, venture out onto the single track trails (yeah!!). Enjoy!!!!!!

 

Oh, and there is no shade at Pinnacles! There was a fire a few years ago, that took many of the trees. An easy-up is a good idea!! And, you can camp there overnight (even though it isn't a campground). There is water and pit toilets, some tables, fire rings, etc.

You can camp at Miller Canyon also. All it has is a pit toilet (everyone's favorite!!). It has lots of shade, but is hotter becaue it is at lower elevation.

 

Reconranger, I think you confused 18 with the 138. Miller Canyon is off SR-138, at the entrance to the Pilot Rock Conservation Camp.

Jill, Reconranger is right, 2N33 and 2N37 is an easygoing, 11 mile loop. You can ride it year 'round. 2N37 will have a little snow/ice in the shady areas in the winter, and there's a couple little stream crossings. Nothing major. I train there in the off-season on my mountain bike. The view from the top out toward the desert is nice. You can camp right there at the staging area, or you can camp inside the Lake Silverwood Park (although you can't ride out from there). They charge to camp there, but Lake Silverwood has all the amenities, and it's not dusty. You'll just have to truck the quads out the gate and up SR-138 to the far east side of the lake, where Miller Canyon is located.

2N40 is also accessible from SR-18, just down from Panorama Point. Yeah, it's probably not green sticker approved, but I've never seen officers up there.

 

Thanks Wiley, it is 138 (I fixed it), not 18.