Santa Clara Divide (East) - #SantaClaraDivide(East)

Socal - Los Angeles County - Bear Divide (Santa Clarita n NickNames: #SantaClaraDivide(East) 3n17

From Interstate 14 in Santa Clarita, take Sand Canyon south towards the hills. If you pass by an In 'n Out Burger on Sand Canyon after exiting, then you are going in the right direction. Continue about 12 miles on Sand Canyon past Placerita Canyon Rd. and Live Oak Campground and continue to climb into the mountains until you reach Bear Divide Ranger Station/Penny Pines area.

From San Fernando Valley take Little Tujunga Canyon north from Osborne St. past Dillon Divide and Wildlife Waystation to Bear Divide. Park at Bear Divide (I don't think you need an adventure pass).

To pick up the trailhead ride on Little Tujunga Canyon downhill 1/4 mile north towards the Santa Clairta side. You will pick up the Santa Clara Truck Trail on your right.

4 Review(s)2 Photo(s)Login

• Trail UpdateBeehives!-About 4-1/4 miles east of Bear Divide, on that turnout just off the road to the north, there are 50+ beehive boxes! Very active in the warm afternoon. Close your mouth as you get close!
  ScottR1

  Posted:05/06/2009

• Trail UpdateNot Effected By Fire-The fires didn't actually get near the Santa Clara Divide Road. Just appeared to. This area is open and fine now, but the forest service just put a regulation on no open flames period including camp stoves. They call it "cold camping now".
  Steve K a 17 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Mongoose XR-100 from Canyon Country (Santa Clarita), CA

  Posted:07/24/2004

• Trail UpdateFire...-This one is burning also with the Bear Divide/ Santa Clara Divide fires. closed until further notice.
  Steve K a 17 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Mongoose XR-100 from Canyon Country (Santa Clarita), CA

  Posted:07/18/2004

• Trail UpdateDon't Do On A Hot Day.-This trail has little shade, so save it for a cooler day. Our mistake was riding it when it was 100 degrees outside.

  Anyways, from the trailhead, you will pass by the following in order: Magic Mountain (the real one), Indian Canyon split, North Fork Saddle Ranger Station and Picnic Area, Messenger Flats Campground, Lightning Point Campground, Mendenhall Trail Intersection, Mt. Gleason, and Mill Creek Summit. I will only describe the part to North Fork Saddle, since the other part is described in other rides like Gleason.
  From the trailhead, climb 500ft. on paved road over about 6 miles to Magic Mountain turnoff. A spur road leads to the peak where there are communication towers and water tanks. There are trails down the other side of Magic Mountain, but I have not ridden any of these. Past Magic Mountain, you will descend about 1000ft. and ciimb about 500ft. until you reach the intersection with Indian Canyon Rd., another trail described on this site. Past Magic Mountain, the road is half paved, half dirt. From Indian Canyon Junction continue on the divide up about 1500ft. and down about 1000 ft. to North Fork Saddle where you will meet PCT and a couple other trails. This is the hardest part of the ride, the peak of the last climb is named Inspiration Pt. Enjoy the trail, and perhaps loop with other trails. For a superloop link to Pacoima Canyon from North Fork which will take you to Dillon Divide.

  Mileage (Bear Divide to North Fork) is about 20 miles
  (Bear Divide to Mill Creek is about 45) Don't do the whole thing. My favorite ride is to link this to Indian Canyon. about 20 miles also.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: see above Elevation change: 3 climbs about 1000ft; descend 3000ft. total if going down Indian Canyon
  Paved Path=50% Truck Trail=50%
  Steve K a 16 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Mongoose XR-100 from Canyon Country (Santa Clarita), CA

  Posted:11/28/2003