Just moved to the LA area last Fri (1/08/10) and was hoping there were some trails close to the 90017 zip code. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Welcome and thanks for posting!
You caught us in the process of a website move and major update.
People have been asking for advice on trails and gear - reasonable questions- for years.
Suffice it to say, we have much of that info but it isn't centralized :-(
The good news is that we will be centralizing all of that info on our new site: www.SCOAOutdoors.net
Each location we visit will have a rail report AND GPS coordinates - they will be Chris Ashford proof (you cannot get lost)! Sample - http://connect.garmin...

Until then, I encourage you to take a look through our past events. Most have decent writeups and directions. Also, signup on our new website and you will be notified when the new info is ready.

Hope that helps - Chris

Hi Renee,
Welcome to SoCal Mt bikers!
90017 is downtown isn't it? No hills there! What level of trails to you ride.
the closest beginners level trail would be in the Santa Monica Mountains area.
Sulllivan Canyon, its all smooth fireroad thru a canyon forest, with a mild climb until the top then it gets a little steep. take Sunset to Mandeville canyon to Westride then park at Bayliss, you can up the canyon or you can take Westridge up to Westridge fire road and ride to the Nike missle site.

I will be taking a solo this Saturday up to the missle site then loop back down Sullivan cayon. Eveyone are more than welcomed to meet up, let me know.

There are some tough intermediate trail in the Whittier hills area. check turnbull canyon, three loops there.

Thanks for the welcome. 90017 is downtown. Yup, no trails. I went to Griffith park and found they didn't allow mtb bikes there, so this group was my next option for info. I ride a range. I've done dirt pack to down hill and everything between. I've become a bit more cautious due to a reduction in trail time (root cause: work) Prefer twisty single track, but will settle for anything. I'm a low tech rider and don't have GPS so is riding the Canyon still okay for me? Are the trails well marked? I don't mind getting a little lost, just don't want to become a wildlife snack.............Thanks again. Looks like my only ride day will be Sat d/t rain.

Corba is currently trying to get LA to allow riding in the parks. but no riding in the city parks for now. Keep in touch for further group rides, we also do shuttle ride all levels.

for Turnbull you'll need a guide, but for Sullivan canyon you can't get lost.
take 10 west to 405 north. west on Sunset. Sunset to Manndeville Canyon rd. first left take Westridge. Westridge to Bayliss rd. The trail head is to the left as the road turns rt. take the ramp down and follow the trail. Park anywhere on Bayliss except where it's posted. it super easy here, you won't get lost. You can continue climbing up to sullivan ridge fire road, then up to Mullholland , left to the 4 corners. you'll need a guide and good conditioning for this.

Thanks. Sounds like Sullivan Canyon may be the safer option for me Sat. I'll be sure to let you know how it went. Wish me luck.

turnbull is pretty fun also descent fire road up and some single track on the way down. if you need a guide ill be glad to show you around.

I got to do Sullivan Canyon Sat. Very pretty area. It was a nice, wide, constant burning, uphill fire road. Not quite what I had expected. ( I wasn't disappointed, though) It did show me how bad of a climber I was! Major suckage on that front. I did hear about the single track further down from the Nike missile place at the top of the canyon. Is that what you were referring to? I would be interested in that. Any way I can get info about that area? Thanks!

Thanks for the welcome. 90017 is downtown. Yup, no trails. I went to Griffith park and found they didn't allow mtb bikes there, so this group was my next option for info. I ride a range. I've done dirt pack to down hill and everything between. I've become a bit more cautious due to a reduction in trail time (root cause: work) Prefer twisty single track, but will settle for anything. I'm a low tech rider and don't have GPS so is riding the Canyon still okay for me? Are the trails well marked? I don't mind getting a little lost, just don't want to become a wildlife snack.............Thanks again. Looks like my only ride day will be Sat d/t rain.

Hey Rene, I have a GREAT single track sorta near to you, that's my usual. Tree Tunnels, technical, + views. It's in the hills above Studio City. Shhhhhhh....it's a secret.

I got to do Sullivan Canyon Sat. Very pretty area. It was a nice, wide, constant burning, uphill fire road. Not quite what I had expected. ( I wasn't disappointed, though) It did show me how bad of a climber I was! Major suckage on that front. I did hear about the single track further down from the Nike missile place at the top of the canyon. Is that what you were referring to? I would be interested in that. Any way I can get info about that area? Thanks!

It used top be a realy nice single track until last november! they plowed it under. Most of the trails will require climbing. there are several trails furhter down from the top of sullivan canyon. east of the Nike site is Kenter Canyon, it has buit in jumps, but steep climbs. North to the Hub, there are several single track trials here, some very steep drop ins. and narrow single track along a steep hill side. I do not recommend these without a guide.
For an mild trails, there is Chesebro, off of the 101 near Calabasas, fairly mild fire road to single track with steep climb up a ravine near the top.

Aso there is Sycamore canyon. CORBA has a guided bigginner ride here every 2nd Saturday of the month.
Its a 13 miler with a nice single track, several creek crossings. lots of fun. You'll be getting wet! bring a towel.