Places for ATV's?

[Freebird]

Where are some good places to have fun on ATV quads around Wrightwood?  (Not looking to break my neck on anything to challenging.  Just some 2-wheel drive stuff.)

[TimG]

I know nothing about ATVs, but I know there's an offroad trail by the Cleghorn exit that's always full of them.  There's a sign for it...can't remember what it's called.  But it sure seems popular.

[Joe Schmoe]

I believe it's the Cleghorn truck trail.  It ends up on the Southeast side of Silverwood.

[Elk]

Where are some good places to have fun on ATV quads around Wrightwood?  (Not looking to break my neck on anything to challenging.  Just some 2-wheel drive stuff.)

Mescal Canyon Road from Jackson Lake into the desert is a nice, easy ride with nothing difficult. There are also a few other dirt fire roads that would be fun too.

We recently bought a couple atv's and I have taken my 12 yo daughter up and down that road and had a very good time.

[The Boys Dad]

Having knowledge is half the battle.  The question should be Where is it legal to ride?  This link shows the different roads and what types of traffic are allowed on them.  http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5166679.pdf

[Toolman]

Mescal is a good spot that is close but it's not a green sticker ATV road. Technically the vehicle must be plated such as a dual sport bike would have. We typically just warn the riders when we're on patrol. I'm a dirt and street rider myself and have compassion for the need to RIDE. The other FS roads around our area, such as Blue Ridge rd when it's open after winter is an ATV approved road as well as the road leading out to Pinion Ridge.

 You may find more fun (i know i do) heading over to the staging area off of the 15 and the 138 off ramp. If your coming off the 15 traveling north and get off at the 138. When your at the stop sign look directly across the street. You'll see the sign directing you to the staging area on the Santa Fe dirt access road. You will come to a RR bridge and there will be a clearing with pit toilets. There's plenty of parking and other riders to share fun with. I like to ride due north and pick up 3n24 which is the Baldy Mesa FS road and ride that to the west. It's fun with nice views. Since my dual sport bike is plated, I can then grab Hwy2 behind Mtn Top Cafe and ride back into town.

 Be aware, on the weekends it can get pretty busy out there and like Cleghorn rd. this is a popular local riding area. Traffic on the the roads travel in both directions so be aware of blind corners.

 Have fun !

[The Boys Dad]

According to the map from the ANF, Blue Ridge is only for highway legal vehicles.  Is this map old or just incorrect?  I have always been under the impression that green-sticker vehicles are not allowed on 3N06.

[Wrightwood]

San Bernardino National Forest - September 2010 Motor Vehicle Use Maps:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5202570.pdf

[Toolman]

According to the map from the ANF, Blue Ridge is only for highway legal vehicles.  Is this map old or just incorrect?  I have always been under the impression that green-sticker vehicles are not allowed on 3N06.

 Technically, the map we go by is issued to us and your right. Let me explain. The road was paved to Blueridge campground many years ago. The pavement may as well not be there now and the FS has no plans to remove the decaying paving. Our map is color legend and easy to spot the approved ATV locations. Our map shows no ATV (green sticker) use from SR2 to Blue Ridge Campground. ATV use is allowed on the continuing FS roads out to Slover and down to Lupine. As well as the other FS roads in our area.

 I don't enforce the short distance of decayed road to Blue Ridge. As far as I'm concerned they can park their trailer and go ride. I'm speaking for myself, but I don't know of ANY FS personnel that enforces that stretch of road. I had this discussion with one of our LEO's about this stretch or road and they were good with it also. The maps are old, maybe someday a new revision will be printed but it's doubtful. Hunters park and ride in all the time and no one hassles them.

 I will say and warn, the old road going out to Cabin Flat is closed to any vehicle traffic and is posted. We do enforce that road, so don't go out there unless on foot. You could mtn. bike it, but it's pretty torn up and you'd be carrying your bicycle more than riding it.

 I've been out when fish & game is heavy in our area, and they DO enforce FS land use penal codes. In the 6yrs I've been doing this, even they don't enforce the short stretch heading up to Blue Ridge. I was present last year when a F&G officer was checking a hunters license for dual weapon carry and he cited him for being parked off the road on FS property. This was on Ball Flat road and the hunter pulled his truck off to the side in a clearing.

 So the short version is your map is correct, the road is just trashed so it's dirt as far we are concerned.

 For the life of me I don't know why 4n06 (Mescal) isn't listed on our map as suitable for ATV use. When, as I'm looking at the Angeles map now, it shows in the legend that it is. So that's part of the reason I don't enforce that road. Maps are conflicting each other and it could be easily argued. 

 How about we compare our maps over the fence this weekend and we'll see what you have and what we use for enforcement.

[RobertW]

Angeles National Forest March 2010 Vehicle Use Map:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5166679.pdf

On the latest map, technically, the only roads designated as for ALL vehicles are: 4N11.2 which starts at Vincent Gap and goes down to the pavement at Fenner Camp at the top of Big Rock Canyon and 3N26.2 which connects into 4N12 and/or 4N56 which is the upper road which starts at Vincent Gap and goes to Jackson Lake or to the end of Pinyon Ridge.

Blue Ridge, Mescal and Ball Flat are all shown as being for street legal vehicles only on the map.  But as Toolman explained above, we personally don't enforce that when out on patrol.

Vehicles going past the barriers and using the road to Cabin Flat from Camp Lupine are cited as are all vehicles AND pedestrians that go around the barriers and get into Horse Canyon off of Hwy 2 at the 5,000 Ft level.  Horse Canyon is CLOSED to the public.

[Freebird]

Having knowledge is half the battle.  The question should be Where is it legal to ride?  This link shows the different roads and what types of traffic are allowed on them.  http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5166679.pdf

It should have been assumed that was built into my question.  The first thing my retired deputy sheriff boyfriend and I did was to ask the Chippy sitting at the stop sign where we could ride.  He had no idea.

Thanks for the map!