Ride 11


Magic Mountain

Length: 14 miles
Difficulty: moderately streneous non technical
Time: 2.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 2200 feet
Terrain: narrow paved road


This is a good ride to do in the winter months when it would be too muddy to ride on dirt. Take highway 14 and exit at Sand Canyon Road. Go right on Sand Canyon(east) until you reach the apex of your climb about 7 miles from the freeway. To your left you will see a sign saying Santa Clara Divide Road. Park .1 mile farther at the 2800 foot Bear Divide rest area on your right. Make sure you dress warm enough and have some protection for your eyes. It can get quite windy in this area especially up at the peak and the temperature can be 15 degrees cooler than in LA.

This ride is a good workout. The uphill is constant but not too overwhelming. Your destination is the top of that mountain in the distance with the two communication towers jutting up from its apex. At about 2.3 miles you come to a saddle with a nice view of Mt. Gleason(tallest broad shouldered pine cover Mt), parts of the Mendenhall ridge trail leading to Mt.Gleason, Pacoima canyon(canyon in between Mendenhall ridge and the road you are on, Mt. Lukens,Verdugo hills and way down there little Tujunga Road. Its a nice peaceful ride. Just be a little on the lookout for the occasional 4 wheel drive vehicles sightseeing up here.

At about 6.5 miles you reach the junction on your left for the final climb to the summit. Just throw your bike over the closed gate and climb the last 300 feet to the top at 4785 feet. Did you know this peak with all the microwave communication antennas used to be a former Nike missle base back in the 50's? Well walk around the broad peak and enjoy the view.You get a nice look at Canyon Country, Mt Gleason, Mt Lukens, San Fernando Valley, the whole Santa Monica mountain range and if you are lucky the Pacific Ocean.Highway 14 is almost 1/2 mile below you.

If you are in the exploring mood continue as long as you want on Santa Clara Divide road. Looking back at Magic Mountain about 2.5 miles past the turn out It now turns to a good fireroad and goes all the way to Mt.Gleason(at least another 15 miles). That would be one hell of a torture ride. Enjoy the return down hill and take your time and stop at the view points and marvel at the ruggedness of the canyons here.

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