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Glendale Sports Complex - Cherry Canyon Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.4 (33)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. …Burbank & Glendale
  5. San Rafael Hills
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“Connecting the Glendale Sports Complex Loop and all major Cherry Canyon singletrack into one ride. ”

Martini Linn
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Map Key

8.8

Miles

14.2

KM

75%

Singletrack

1,849' 564 m

High

1,271' 387 m

Low

1,381' 421 m

Up

1,380' 421 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

20%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Family Friendly Good for hiking with the family. There are sections of fire roads as well.

The gates to the sports complex close at 10pm. If you prefer night riding past that time, park north of this area on Descanso or any of the other adjacent neighborhoods.

Overview

An ~8.5-mile mix of singletrack and fire roads. Great for post work or a morning quickie. These loops all connect to a fairly central hub which makes for great repeats if you're trying to put in additional time/mileage.

Need to Know

Water points would be at the start at the sports complex. On the trail, there is a rest area called "Ultimate Destination", which is a small offshoot to your left at mile 3.1.

Description

Park in the main lot for the Glendale Sports Complex or ride up from Verdugo. Parking gates close at 10pm.

The start of the Sports Complex Loop begins near the entrance to the lot to the left of the maintenance garage. It loops east then south on the Catalina Verdugo Trail towards Ridge Motorway fire road.

Take this fire road to the Cherry Canyon singletrack network. This route connects the main singletrack descents together with fire road climbs. Begin on Cerro Negro Trail connecting to Canyon Trail and Cherry Canyon Motorway. At the end of the Cherry Canyon Motorway, you'll be at the central hub.

Continue north on the Alpha Motorway as it turns into the Conservancy Trail, eventually connecting with Edison Road. Head onto Liz's Loop Trail which returns you to the Cherry Canyon Motorway.

Plug the route into your Garmin or use the MTB Project mobile app and ride away. Most of the singletrack sections are hardpack with sand. The last singletrack section goes through a shady area so the ground is usually nice and tacky.

Contacts

Local Club: Over The Bars

Land Manager: City of La Canada Flintridge, CA

Shared By:

Martini Linn
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 33 votes

#1

in San Rafael Hills

#576

Overall
  4.4 from 33 votes
5 Star
52%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in San Rafael Hills

#81

in California

#576

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Photos

Overlook of Glendale Sports Complex.
Oct 12, 2016 near La Caña…, CA
Cherry Canyon singletrack.
Aug 4, 2014 near La Caña…, CA
On top of Cherry Canyon.
Oct 12, 2016 near La Caña…, CA
Nice singletrack.
Aug 4, 2014 near La Caña…, CA
Catalina Verdugo Trail POV.
Jul 24, 2022 near La Caña…, CA
Rest bench on Cherry Canyon with great view.
Oct 12, 2016 near La Caña…, CA

3 Comments

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Check-Ins

Apr 21, 2023
A V
Mar 27, 2023
Gwen Greco
Super fun ride though for a solid morning start. Parts of the Cherry Canyon portion are very rutty.
Feb 12, 2022
Elz Abongo
Nov 21, 2021
Brian Dilger
Enjoyable ride up the Catalina Trail, along the Ridge Motorway and back down the Catalina Verdugo Trail. 16.8mi
Jun 4, 2021
Frank Basile
Feb 21, 2021
Jose Cordova
Feb 10, 2021
Hayk Israelyan
Feb 7, 2021
Alex Gilroy
Did the loop twice, good climb, wish the dh section was longer. A number of hikers on the trail so just watch out. 5.8mi — 1h 45m

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