© Steve Evans
Difficulty: Steep wilderness trail.
This scenic and wildlife-rich trail is a relatively little used route into the Cucamonga Wilderness. Trails of the Angeles describes this area as “...one of the few islands of subalpine wilderness left in Southern California…” Quiet hikers have the chance to see bighorn sheep, mountain king snake, and even black bear. Three trail camps provide overnight campsites for backpackers and about three miles of the Middle Fork support a rare (in southern California) self-sustaining population of wild rainbow trout. Ambitious hikers can take this steep trail all the way up to Icehouse Saddle, from which a number of side-trails allow exploration of both the Cucamonga and Sheep Mountain Wilderness.
San Gabriel Mountains Forever is proposing Wild and Scenic River protection for several miles of the Middle Fork Lytle Creek as well as an addition to the Cucamonga Wilderness.
How To Get There
From Interstate 15 in the San Bernardino area, take the Lytle Creek Road exit and drive northeast on Lytle Creek Road, past the Lytle Creek Ranger Station, 6.6 miles to the small community of Lytle Creek. Turn left on Middle Fork Road and cross the bridge over Lytle Creek. Drive east on the Middle Fork Road for about 3 miles to the Middle Fork Trailhead. As it approaches the trailhead, the road gets increasingly rocky and rutted. High clearance vehicles are suggested. You will need a $5 Adventure Pass to park at the Middle Fork Trailhead. You can buy one at the Lytle Creek Ranger Station on Lytle Creek Road.
