Mountain bike
Up and back? 3 quick rides add up to local fun.
Where: Westridge, Sullivan Canyon, Sullivan Ridge fire roads. Brentwood and Pacific Palisades.
Level of difficulty: These three fire roads aren't technically challenging though you'll encounter a few steep sections. To up the ante, if you're an expert rider by pass the groomers and hit the single tracks which run on each of the ridges parallel to the fire road routes.
Route Covers: These three routes, which run parallel to each other are all "up and back" rides, with directions listed separately below. But, since "Dirt Mulholland," a fourth fire road, intersects both Westridge and Sullivan Ridge a loop presents another possibility.
Where: Westridge fire road, Brentwood. To reach the trailhead take Sunset Boulevard to Mandeville Canyon. Head north on Mandeville Canyon for .3 miles till you reach Westridge, Turn left. You'll be on Westridge for slightly over two miles prior to arriving at the start of your ride, a dead end at a fire road gate.
Level of difficulty: Nice up and back for a beginner ride or quick work out. Advanced riders can hit the single-track which runs along the ridge parallel to the fire road.
Route Covers: Westridge fire road
Mileage: 7.2
The Route:
- Westridge is uninterrupted by other routes from the dead end at the fire road gate until 3.5 miles into your ride when you'll see an service road for an electric tower intersect your path, keep going straight on Westridge.
- The turnaround is 3.6 miles into your ride at "Dirt Mulholland."
To make a loop connecting Westridge to Sullivan Ridge:
- Make a left on Dirt Mulholland (go west) for 1 mile till Sullivan Ridge (another fire road) intersects Dirt Mulholland from the south (your left).
- Make a left on Sullivan Ridge.
- Travel on Sullivan Ridge for 3.7 miles.
- The fire road will dump you out at a paved road called Casale.
- Follow Casale for 2.5 miles to a parking area-perfect for a drop car.
To park the drop car:
Take Sunset Boulevard to Amalfi (head north on this famed street.) At the Y intersection, hang to your left. At Capri turn left. Take Capri to Casale where you'll also make a left. Park at the parking area.
Cruise the canyon!
Where: Sullivan Canyon. Take Mandeville Canyon from Sunset Boulevard till Westridge. Make a left. Make another left at Bayliss Road. Then still another at Queensferry Road. Find a parking spot. The trail starts at a wooden gate at Queensferry Road.
Level of difficulty: Nothing technical but a view worth the pedal.
Route Covers: Sullivan Canyon Trail.
Mileage: 9 miles up and back
The Route:
- After the trail entrance at Queensferry Road, take a drop down the hill. At the bottom turn right.
- Don't ease off the pedals, too much. At 3.5 miles hill you'll hit a steep climb.
- At 4.0 into your ride, you'll encounter a T intersection. Don't take the right unless you want to hit a dead end further up the route. Instead take a left.
- Ascend .5 miles to the turnaround spot at the intersection of Sullivan Canyon and the Sullivan Ridge fire road.
Meet a local favorite, with a demanding twist.
Where: Sullivan Ridge. Take Sunset Boulevard to Amalfi (head north on this famed street.) At the Y intersection, hang to your left. At Capri turn left. Take Capri to Casale where you'll also make a left. Park at the parking area. And pedal 2.5 miles to the gate at the fire road.
Level of difficulty: Nice up and back for a beginner ride or quick work out. Advanced riders can hit the single-track which runs along the ridge parallel to the fire road.
Route Covers: Sullivan Ridge Fire Road
Mileage: 7.4 miles up and back
The Route:
- Super simple up and back route. Simply take the fire road from the gate 3.8 miles to Dirt Mulholland.
- Turn around at Dirt Mulholland or:
To make a loop connecting Sullivan Ridge to Westridge:
- Make a right on Dirt Mulholland (go east) for 1 mile till Westridge (another fire road) intersects Dirt Mulholland from the south (your right).
- Make a right on Westridge.
- Travel south on Westridge for 3.6 miles till you reach a fire road gate.
To park the drop car:
Take Sunset Boulevard to Mandeville Canyon. Head north on Mandeville Canyon for .3 miles till you reach Westridge, Turn left. You'll be on Westridge for slightly over two miles prior to arriving at the drop spot, a dead end at a fire road gate.
