San Gabriel River, West Fork - #SanGabrielRiver,WestFork

Socal - Los Angeles County - Azusa/Angeles National Forest NickNames: #SanGabrielRiver,WestFork

Use the Azusa Ave. exit off the Foothill Freeway (I 210) in the city of Azusa. Drive north up into Azusa Canyon pass the junction with East Fork Road to the bridge over the river. Just beyond the bridge and to the left is a parking lot. The Trailhead is just back across the bridge.

29 Review(s)18 Photo(s)Login

• Trail UpdateWest Fork-Absolutely the best condition this fire road has been in since we started riding here many moons ago. We started at the parking lot just east of the West Fork service road and went up to Red Box/Rincon fire road. 25.6 miles in about three hours twenty minutes.
  old gringo a 60 year old Cross-Country Rider

  Posted:07/11/2013

• Trail UpdateWest Fork-We made our semi-annual pilgrimage to the West Fork today. Perfect conditions. No, wait. This trail sucks. Do not, I repeat, do not go there. We want it to ourselves. I did 20 miles and Dr. Hanns did 24.
  old gringo a 58 year old Cross-Country Rider

  Posted:04/06/2012

• Trail UpdateGnats 2, Riders 0-We rode here on August 15. The fire road above Cogswell Dam to the end is in good shape except for a couple of soft spots near the top. But the gnats were the worst I have ever seen. I must have eaten four or five. 24 miles in a little more than three hours.
  old gringo a 58 year old

  Posted:08/15/2011

• Trail UpdateWest Fork-We rode here again on September 10. It didn't seem like there were as many soft spots and the gnats were fewer than the last time up. Great ride. 20 miles+
  old gringo a 58 year old

  Posted:09/11/2010

• Trail UpdateWest Fork-We rode here yesterday, August 12. Despite the numerous soft curves and swarms of gnats, it was a great ride. There is a lot of water in the river, the south side of the canyon did not burn, and the views are incredible.
  old gringo a 57 year old

  Posted:08/13/2010

• Trail UpdateWest Fork Open-Just road through the West Fork last weekend with the family. The river is full and the forest is Lush right now. Found 2 nice water falls and lots of beautiful views.
  Vasco44 a 34 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Giant VT Three from San Pedro CA

  Posted:05/28/2010

• Trail UpdateWest Fork Closed-West Fork is in the Station Fire closure area. The parking lot is open, but the roads (Rincon-Red Box, West Fork) are closed. The closure has drastically reduced traffic in the area, so road rides (up 39, or up East Fork to Glendora Ridge) are really nice right now. Or you could do the short ride up Shoemaker, or abuse yourself on the two short trails on the north side of East Fork road, about two miles from 39, they're not much fun but they'll work your legs pretty good.
  ScottR1

  Posted:04/16/2010

• Trail UpdateWest Fork-It looks like I am the only one who updates this trail. At least, for the past five years. Has anyone been up there recently? I would like to go again but don't want to waste my time if the trails are closed.
  old gringo a 57 year old

  Posted:04/14/2010

• Trail UpdateWest Fork-Getting old. We rode this one today, April 5. Started on the paved road on the side of the river and did the whole loop. 29.1 miles in four hours twenty seven minutes. There were a lot of rocks on the down side.
  old gringo a 55 year old

  Posted:04/05/2008

• Trail UpdateWest Fork To Red Box Road-Incredible conditions today. I rode from the trailhead on Highway 39 to Red Box Road. Scared a deer on the way up and a cub on the way down. The air was clear, the road was hardpacked, and no one was on the trail above the dam. 25.7 miles total.
  old gringo a 54 year old

  Posted:05/28/2007

• Trail UpdateSan Gabriel River, West Fork-We rode this one again December 29. Much better in 43 degree weather than 85+. 30 miles in three hours 45 minutes. Conditions were awesome.
  Gringo a 53 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Ellsworth Isis from Chatsworth, California

  Posted:12/30/2005

• Trail UpdateRincon/West Fork-We rode the loop on 7/16. I suggest not trying this in the summer. We started at 7:45 AM and went up the Rincon/Red Box fire road. What a relief to get into the canyon along the bank of the West Fork. 29.7 miles in a little over four hours.
  Gringo a 52 year old Cross-Country Rider

  Posted:07/17/2005

• Trail UpdateWest Fork-Rode this trail today, 6/25. Perfect conditions. We went up 12 miles from the trailhead and back. There were only a few rocks and a couple of sandy spots. And the usual array of knuckleheads on the first couple of miles of the paved road.
  Gringo a 52 year old

  Posted:06/25/2005

• Trail UpdatePaved All The Way To The Dam-I rode the trail a few weeks ago when my local trails were too wet. It's 8 miles paved all the way to the top of the dam. After that it's a dirt fire road. I only rode a little ways on the dirt so I'm not sure of that trail's condition.

  The last half mile or so to the top of the dam is pretty steep and a tough climb. The river was flowing and there were lots of water falls. It's not a challenging ride, but it's a beautiful area.

  Watch out for all the family hikers in the first couple of miles. Sometimes there are also cars going in or out of the campground which is at mile 7.
  Iguana a Cross-Country Rider riding a Fisher from Fullerton

  Posted:04/22/2005

• Trail UpdateCondition Up To Cogswell-My buddy and I just went fishing there yesterday, and DFG stocked in the morning. There is a paved road that goes to cogswell dam, but I'm not sure how far it's paved for. I saw several public works vehicles using the road, which makes me think its open all the way.
  Everything looks good, and the fishing was good as well. Just remember that its catch and release after 3 miles up.

  have fun
  Frank a 28 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a 2001 GT I drive Team from Yorba Linda

  Posted:04/21/2005

• Trail UpdateCondition Up To Cogswell-I was wondering if anyone knows what the condition of the road is up to Cogswell Dam. I am planning on going up on Sunday AM if the weather is not too bad. I heard that the road is paved most of the way to the dam. Is this true? I am just going to the dam or maybe a mile or to past and then turning back. This is a fishing/bike trip so I am not planning a marathon 30 mile ride. I would be grateful for any info.
  Mrkcy a 27 year old

  Posted:04/21/2005

• Trail UpdateDid the full loop Sunday, and the road is open all the way, but the grading left the road pretty rocky in spots.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: Elevation change: 3600 or so
  dave a 55 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a s works from rancho cucamonga

  Posted:04/05/2005

• Trail UpdateSG River, West Fork Rincon Loop-Rockslide blocking 2n25 up to rincon from Cogswell Dam about 3 miles past the dam.
  Ride rating: Novice
  Ride distance: 31 miles Elevation change: 3400
  Trail Rider Dave a 55 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a s works Stumpy from Rancho Cucamonga

  Posted:04/01/2005

• Trail UpdateLabor Day Ride, 9-6-04...-here's a post with some pics. the trails are dry and easy ot ride, not technical skills required, but lots of climbing. no real hike-a-bike sections either.

  like cliff below me stated, this is a great ride for a intermediate rider looking to go long.

  http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=46836
  Ride distance: 31 Elevation change: 3400 ft gain
  Truck Trail=100%
  Kam a 29 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Ibis Ripley from Bell, CA URL: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=46836

  Posted:09/07/2004

• Trail UpdateWest Fork-Rincon Loop-Started on the west fork paved trail. It was very busy for the first mile. The first 7 miles are an easy paved ride and very scenic. The last mile up to and past the dam is the only real climb. I continued up 2N252 to the Redbox-Rincon (2N241) junction. It is about 5.5 miles past the dam to the junction. Some of the fireroad has been graded and it made the ride much easier. The hardest climb is between mile 12 and 13. I turned left or east and headed towards the Rincon ranger station. The next 3.5 miles continue to climb but not very steep and there are a few short downhill sections also. The weather was cloudy and visibility was only a couple hundred feet at most. The rincon fireroad is in much worst shape than the ride up from the dam. Since this road gets some jeep, truck and motorcycle travel it can get rutted up, which it is in some places. The fireroad then rollercoasters for about 2.5 miles before the Monrovia canyon junction and then it's almost 11 miles of downhill. Unfortunately today the clouds and drizzle made visibility the toughest part of this ride. The last 10 miles went by very easily even though it was drizzling and looser than usual. The total ride is a little over 30 miles. This is a very good ride for an intermediate type of rider who wants to try a little longer ride.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: 30 miles Elevation change: 3000+
  Paved Path=25% Truck Trail=75%
  MtbCL a 41 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Superlight from Covina

  Posted:05/23/2004

• Trail UpdateWest Fork - Monrovia Peak Loop-Road to Cogswell dam is in great shape, as is the trail on up to the peak. Saw an impressive Rattlesnake on the way down. Three flats from thorns.
  Chris a 46 year old Weekend Warrior riding a DiamondBack Response Sport from Glendale, CA

  Posted:04/27/2004

• Trail UpdateTrail Still Closed-A sign at the trailhead said the trail is closed 3 miles from the gate. Reason: Rock Slide. Confirmed it with the ranger at the bottom of the canyon. He told me the West Fork and Crystal Lake area will be closed for the summer. No definite date is set for reopening. Bummer...
  JW a Cross-Country Rider from El Monte

  Posted:05/11/2003

• Trail UpdateThe "trail" up to Cogswell dam is closed by a chain-link fence about 3.5 miles from the road. The L.A. County sheriff patrol the area also so I wouldn't suggest bypassing the fence. But the river is flowing nicely and the area looks good considering the fire damage.
  mtbCliff a 40 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a dirt and scratches obscure the name from Covina

  Posted:01/03/2003

• Trail UpdateGate?-Has anyone been up to the dam lately? I would
  like to know if the gate is open and don't feel like
  driving an hour and fifteen minutes, then riding up
  there only to have to turn around.

  Thanks.
  
  Gringo a 50 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Gary Fisher Paragon from Chatsworth

  Posted:01/03/2003

• Trail UpdateCOGSWELL TO RINCON-WINSTON,CRAIG AND ERIN ON CANNONDALE JEKYLL,SANTA CRUZ
  SUPER LIGHT AND GT DH.DAM KEEPER LET US CROSS THE FENCE! HE SAYS GATE WILL OPEN SOON. WE RODE 14 MILES
  UP FROM PARKING. WAS A CLOSED TRAIL THAT DAY. I TURNED
  AROUND AT 12 MILES BY MYSELF. HINT!! IF YOU SEE BEAR &
  MOUNTAIN LION DOO DOO ON THE GROUND, AND YOU FEEL LIKE
  EYES ARE WATCHING YOU? TRUST ME THEY ARE! I ALMOST HIT
  A VERY LARGE BEAR ON THE DOWNHILL. I STILL GET GOOSE
  BUMPS. BECAUSE I WAS STUCK. TO TURN AROUND AND GO UP-THE BEAR WOULD OFF CAUGHT ME. BUT NO CUBS. I WAS OK.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: 24 miles Elevation change: 2000
  Dirt Road=50% Paved Path=50%
  winston gotte(tree) a 33 year old Weekend Warrior riding a cannondale jekyyl with moto 120 fork from laverne ca.

  Posted:06/06/2002

• Trail UpdateWest Fork Now Closed At Cogs Dam-Had a beautiful ride today on the West Fork paved road from the bridge on Highway 39 about 5 miles gentle and shady, along the clear stream lined with oaks, alders and sycamores, and just the occasional friendly angler past the first mile. The the last mile or so before Cogswell is steep concrete pavement. My buddy Roberto and I had planned to do the Monrovia Loop today, but were stopped at Cogswell Dam. NOTE: THE WEST FORK ROAD IS NOW CLOSED AT COGSWELL DAM (no doubt for security reasons). Just past the helipad at mile 7, just after the steep concrete section, you will now encounter a closed chain-link gate with an official government No Trespassing sign. I confirmed this with a Forest Service ranger nearby. The Rincon-Redbox road is still open, however, but you won't be able to access it from the West Fork road now - you must enter it from the Rincon turnout 1/2 mile below the West Fork bridge on Highway 39. This also effectively blocks the Monrovia Peak Loop route. Still, the West Fork road is a pleasant swing through the shade for an easy 14 mile roundtrip.
  Ride rating: Beginner
  Ride distance: 14 miles Elevation change: 700 Ft.
  Paved Path=100%
  Randy Smith a 52 year old Weekend Warrior riding a A sweet new Gary Fisher Wahoo hardtail from Pasadena, CA USA

  Posted:10/08/2001

• Trail UpdateMonrovia Peak Loop-For a great 30-mile training ride continue past the cogswell dam at 8 miles. Continue on the paved road which will become a nicely graded dirt road. After a mile or so the road will become paved again and there will be a few spurs. You want to aim for the small water tank uphill and to the right as you face up the mountain. This will take you back onto the dirt road which will eventually join with Rincon-RedBox road at a gate. This will at just over 13 miles. Take a left on Rincon-RedBox road and continue to mostly climb but with roller coasters till about the 17 mile mark. At that point the ride tends toward more level/downhill. At the 22 mile mark the real fun begins as you start an eight mile, steep downhill. At rt. 39 make a left and head back 1/2 mile to your car. Great 30 mile endurance ride, but sometimes a few stray motorcycles.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: 31 Elevation change: 3000 total
  Dirt Road=75% Paved Path=25%
  CT Weissman a 33 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Specialized S-Works M2 from Long Beach URL: TOPOZONE.COM MAP

  Posted:09/21/2000

• Trail UpdateFor a more pleasant experience,If at all possible, use this trail only on weekdays, particularly in the summer. Hordes of picknikers occupy the limited parking places on weekends and are concentrated along the first half-mile or so of the river along with a masses of ice-chests, chairs, six packs and debris. Beyond this it is still a wonderful ride.

  Posted:09/01/1998

• Trail UpdateWest Fork Trail-
  Paved Path=100%

  Posted:09/01/1996