The start of this ride is the same as for the Marshall Canyon loop and Potato Mountain - i.e. steep fire-road climb with little shade. However once the climbing is behind you the rest of the ride is a mix of rolling fire-road with few other users, returning via a bike/pedestrian path along Thompson Creek.
Getting there
From the 210 freeway in Claremont take the Baseline exit and head West on Baseline 0.7 miles to Mills Avenue. Go North (right) on Mills for 1.2 miles to the intersection with Mount Baldy Road. Continue straight and park either on the street or in the parking area on the right. Google directions to start
The Ride
The 0 mile marker is set by passing through the chain linked fence at the North West corner of the parking area at the very end of Mills Avenue. 0.06 miles: stream crossing (except late summer before winter rains) 0.13 miles: continue straight past Burbank Canyon on left (although to make a shorter loop you could use Burbank Canyon to connect with this trace) 1.50 miles: bear left at the junction, following CHWP sign (fire road on right goes to Potato Mountain) 1.99 miles: reach first apex, begin descending 2.13 miles: stay left (gated fire road on the right) 3.32 miles: follow the road to the left, but do not turn sharp left - doing so would put you on Burbank Canyon and very quickly back at to the start 3.60 miles: bear right - the left path would take you past the communications towers and down to Thompson Creek, although I’ve never attempted this route 3.74 miles: continue straight past a turn-off on the right 3.97 miles: bear right for short climb 4.4 miles: after a slight dip go right - be sure to downshift into a low gear before taking this corner 5.0 miles: the paved road used to reach Thompson Creek can now be seen below 5.16 miles: after passing around the gate go left on to the paved road. This pleasant road is reminiscent of English country lanes - narrow and in a state of disrepair but quiet and fun to ride 6.25 miles: at the junction with Baseline Road I keep left (maybe a carryover from thinking about English lanes) and ride against traffic the 260 yards to Towne Ave. There is a bicycle lane that helps ensure traffic separation but obviously use your own judgement! 6.40 miles: left on to Towne Ave 6.53 miles: right to join the Thompson Creek Trail. The first short section is paved but you will soon have opportunity to ride on the dirt again, paralleling the paved path. There are fewer users on the dirt sections of the path so I find riding this is to everyone’s advantage. At 7.06 miles the path crosses a street, and passes a park on the right at 7.3 miles (restrooms available and possibly drinking water). Continue on this path until it reaches Mills Avenue, directly across from the parking area
Ride log
Last Ridden
Condition
Pedal Time
Elapsed Time
May 31st, 08
Excellent - fire road had just been graded and was well packed. Note there was some minor construction on the paved road after the fire road - looked possibly like a gate was being erected that could block future use of this return route
1 hour 1 minute
1 hour 7 minutes
Jan 13th, 08
Good - fire road had some minor gullies as a result of recent rain, but was perfectly rideable
