Backcountry Horsemen of California:
Antelope Valley Unit

Forestry Adventure Pass New this year. This is a pilot project to allow the National Forest to collect fees for recreational use and invest them locally. The cost of the pass is $5.00 for a daily pass or $30.00 for an annual pass. If you hike, ride a horse or bicycle on the forestry trails you will need a pass. The pass is to be displayed on your vehicle. If you are caught with out a pass the first time you will be given a warning. The second time you will be fined $100.00.

The pilot project, approved by congress in 1996, will be in effect for three years. Eighty percent of the money will be kept by the local forestry and used for trails, restrooms, trash pick removal and improving the environment. The Forests involved in the pilot program are: Angeles National Forest, Cleveland National Forest, Los Padres National Forest and the San Bernardino National Forest.

Saddleback Butte State Park: has the Dowen Nature Trail, several hiking trails and a 4 1/2 mile horse trail with a staging area. Arrangements need to be made with State Parks to use the horse trail. A key to unlock gates is involved. A great time to ride this trail is in the early morning or evening because of the heat. From Saddleback horse trail you can continue around the butte to ride on county roads and make a good 10 mile ride (about 3 hours). Views of the valley are outstanding here. The State Park has a map of this trail.

Palmdale Barrel Springs Trail: The City of Palmdale in partnership with the AV Heritage Foundation and the Antelope Valley Trails Recreation and Environmental Council was awarded $415,152 in Prop A money to build this trail. This 1 1/2 mile of trail will be used as a backbone trail for the Antelope Valley.

In October more of the Barrel Springs Trail will be dedicated to connect the Palmdale with LA County. Supervisor Antonovich will lead an equestrian ride in celebration of the event. For more info call LA Co. Olene White 818-821-3232. The sponsors of the event will be AVTREC, Acton/Agua Dulce Trails Council, Los Angeles County Parks & Rec and The City of Palmdale.

Valyermo Ranger District Burkhart Trail: Start at the Devils Punch Bowl and hike, or horseback ride or mountain bike ride on the Burkhart trail. As you pass through the picnic area, and begin the trail as it takes you past the silver water tank and up the hillside. You will continue to the west behind the Lewis Ranch and descend into Cruthers Creek. From the creek, the trail ascends at a moderate slope up the hillside away from the creek, and after a few miles you arrive at the Burkhart Saddle and a view into Cooper Canyon and the upper parts of the Little Rock Creek.

Valyermo Ranger District Vincent Gap: by the Angeles Crest Highway Vincent Gap is a large staging area with three trail heads; The Manzanita Trail, The Pacific Crest Trail, Mount Baden Powell Trail. Mount Baden Powell Trail, lies south of the highway beside the parking lot. The trail starts with gentle to moderate switch backs and becomes tighter steeper switch backs above 8,800 feet. Directly opposite the Mount Baden Powell Trail, you will find the Pacific Crest Trail that goes near Jackson Flat Campground. After a couple of miles on this trail, you can take a spur trail down to Jackson Lake to the Mount Oak Campground (no horses in this campground). It takes a little over an hour by horseback to reach Jackson Lake.

The Manzanita trail is in good condition until you reach the slide area (approximately 4 miles from the top). Hikers can get by but it can be hazardous for horses and mountain bicycles. AVTREC had a work day in June on the Manzanita trail and the slide area was open to all trail users. There is no guarantee now that it is in good condition. We are working with the U.S. Forestry to have part of this trail realigned.

Access to the Pacific Crest Trail: (hiking or horseback riding only-bicycles or motorized vehicles are prohibited on the PCT ) The PCT is a 2,638 mile National Scenic Trail that spans the western US from Canada to Mexico.

You can reach three sections of the PCT from the directions below. Look for the PCT sign on each side of the road this is where you will find the trail.

1. Crosses Bouquet Canyon east of the Bouquet Reservoir and San Francisquito Canyon Road.

2. Take Highway 14 north to Agua Dulce Cyn. Road off-ramp , travel south two miles to Soledad Cyn.Road, go east on Soledad about four miles to Cypress Park Resort, through which the local leg of the PCT runs.

3. Go west from Lancaster on Ave D, turn left at 270 th Street to 3 points store, go south on Pine Cyn. Road about 2 1/2 miles. There is only parking for three large rigs along side the road.

LA County Parks & Recreation Vasquez Rocks: The park is a popular spot for hiking and horseback riding. Foot and horse trails connect to the PCT which winds under the freeway at the west end of the park. The park is located about eight miles south of Acton. A sign on the Antelope Valley Freeway indicates the off-ramp and signs guide you to the park. The park is open from 8AM to sundown daily. Parking fee: $3.00.