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Lytle Creek (Middle Fork 2N58) to Commanche, Cucomonga Wildernes

Posted on September 25, 2008 by: Traveler

  • The Lytle Creek Rangers station is on the right side of the road approximately 4.7 miles north of the I-15.
  • Interpretive sign outline the highlights and dangers of the Cucomonga Wilderness.
  • Pathway to main entrance of the ranger station. Bathrooms are located to the left of the main entrance.
  • Interior of the Lytle Creek station.
  • Smokey greetings.
  • Just up from the ranger station continue along Lytle Creek Rd. the namesake will appear to the left.
  • Turn left on Middle Fork Rd. (2N58) and you will see this intersection. Head to the yellow sign ahead or continue straight through if it is missing.
  • Close up of the yellow sign. The paved portion continues for another 1/2 mile and then becomes a gravel road.
  • The gravel road continues for another 2 miles to the parking area.
  • This road has some rutted areas, but nothing an attentive driver can't negotiate.
  • At the far end of the parking area looking back at the gravel road.
  • looking toward the trailhead into the Cucomonga Wilderness.
  • Trailhead interpretive signs.
  • The trail initially climbs a couple switchbacks before the junction.
  • Trail junction. Turn left and the trail drops down to Lytle Creek and Stonehouse campsites. Go right and the trail rises above Lytle creek. Both routes converge about 0.9 miles ahead.
  • I chose the right side junction for the walk out to Commanche campsite and then followed the lower trail back.
  • Damage from recent (severe) firestorms are evident at the beginning of the hike. Farther into the wilderness, all fire scars disappear.
  • The trail stay pretty consistent at about 150ft. above Lytle Creek. The trail crosses a couple dry drainages ahead.
  • Looking down on Lytle Creek.
  • The slope enters an oak forest at the first major creek (dry) crossing.
  • Looking up the side canyon of the first creek crossing. There was no water here.
  • The trail picks up on the opposite side of this first drainage and veers off to the left.
  • Boulders in dry creek bed.
  • Entry sign into the Cucomonga Wilderness.
  • Large tree roots exposed on the right side of the trail.
  • Just past large tree looking back.
  • The trail gets closer to Lytle Creek in some areas ahead. The flow of water can always be heard.
  • This is just an area where the trail comes close to Lytle Creek and I just walked down to the bank.
  • Trail crossing over another dry creek bed (second crossing maybe).
  • Flat area after crossing that would be suitable for camping... but it is not a designated spot.
  • Approaching Third Crossing campsite.
  • Another very large tree with its mangled root system snaking down to the trail below. Look for this tree and then for the boulder with an arrow.
  • There are a couple trails seen across the creek at this location. I actually crossed prior to seeing this marked boulder indicating the true crossing point.
  • What the opposite bank looks like at the proper crossing point. All trails merge on the opposite side (eventually). Bring a map as a supplement and you'll find the way. My point is that I didn't see this crossing until returning.
  • From the top on the opposite bank now looking back at the rock with the arrow spray painted onto it.
  • Campsite which appeared large enough for only one tent. Luckily this area isn't highly used.
  • The trail just past Third Crossing campsite is lined with rocks. Probably because so much leaf matter falls it would otherwise conceal the route (again, not a high use trail).
  • It seemed like the elevation started picking up after Third Crossing like at these switchbacks, but after checking the altitude rise between campsite points I realized it was not so.
  • The canyon begins to open up in both directions now as the trail skirts along the right (Northern) side.
  • Yucca bloom in this canyon (sunny areas of the whole forest really) from late spring to early summer.
  • An unofficial ski run in the Cucomonga Wilderness :) seen on the opposite side of the canyon.
  • Looking back at the blooming yucca.
  • Looking up trail at an outcrop of rock that resembled chalk.
  • Some portions of the trail, like this, were almost completely covered by smaller rockfall.
  • Looking down the rockfall area that practically covered the trail from the previous section.
  • At these trees, the trail rises up and around requiring a two steps forward, one step back, scramble around.
  • Large rock slide area just before the canyon opens up (and levels out). Commanche campsite lies a little farther ahead.
  • Looking up the rock slide just before Commanche campsite.
  • The water flow in the creek disappears at this point and large boulders fill the ravine below.
  • Boulder filled ravine near Commanche campsite.
  • This large tree is just off to the left side of the trail and right in front of the campsite called Commanche
  • This is now standing in front of the large specimen tree at edge of boulder filled ravine. The small area for the Commanche campsite is now to the right but is actually hard to see.
  • So, unofficially (because there are no signs saying otherwise) the Commanche campsite is located just to the left of the shadows of the trees in the ravine. For reference, the large tree is on the left through the branches.
  • On the Tom Harrison Map, Commanche campsite is just before a canyon branching off to the left side. Vegetation almost completely blocks the canyon (pictured) from view. Water lies just ahead as the creek once again flows.
  • Water source just up the trail from the (supposed) Commanche campsite.
  • I am almost positive that Lytle Creek has a year-round water flow.
  • Retuning back the way you came, this is the area where the trail converges with the Stonehouse campsite trail. Take the right side junction here to parallel Lytle Creek from the opposite side.
  • At first, the trail proceeds through a wooded area until reaching Lytle Creek.
  • If it is hard to make out where the trail goes next, look for the small stacked rocks indicating your next segment. These stacked rocks are sometimes called ducks or rock cairns.
  • First crossing of the creek. The trail picks up immediately on the opposite bank and veers left.
  • Looking down Lytle Creek from an area just below the first creek crossing heading toward Stonehouse campsite area. I walked a little off trail because it doesn't come directly to the bank of the creek but stays a little off to the right.
  • Same area as previous pic, just looking up creek at a small fall.
  • Heading further down the trail, this large oak with overhanging branches will indicate Stonehouse camping area is just ahead.
  • Campsite at Stonehouse camping area. The black flies were a little intrusive here.
  • Stonehouse is actually the largest area for camping able to accommodate multiple parties.
  • To get back to the main trail heading back to the parking area you simply cross the creek just down from the Stonehouse camping area and turn to the right.
  • Looking down Lytle Creek from a crossing point just down from the Stonehouse camping area. The trail is on the left side and a small waterfall is just down the way.
  • Small waterfall just down from the crossing. The trail is now on the right side by looking up the creek.

Best Time To Visit: Spring through Fall
Closest City: Rancho Cucomonga
State: 7
Country: 209

DIRECTIONS: From the junction of California Interstate 15 and the 210 Freeway, head approximately 4.5 miles north / east (on I-15) to Sierra Avenue. Exit here and turn left (north) onto Sierra Ave. Sierra will turn into Lytle Creek Rd. and you will see the Lytle Creek Ranger Station at approximately 4.7 miles. Stop here for current conditions on the Cucomonga Wilderness and to register for the day-use permit (free and REQUIRED). From entry into the Cucomonga Wilderness from the eastern side, the area is managed byt the San Bernardino National Forest. Entry into the Cucomonga Wilderness from the west side (up Mt Baldy Rd and Icehouse Canyon) is managed by the Angeles National Forest. Continuing up Lytle Creek Rd. you will see Lytle Creek down and to the left. Continue 2.2 miles from the Lytle Creek Ranger Station (or 6.9 miles from the freeway) to Middle Fork Rd. (2N58). Almost immediately you will be faced with a three way intersection. Head up the middle fork of this junction (look for the yellow Lollard Ranch sign). The road is only paved for another 0.5 miles and then it becomes a gravel fire road for the final 2 miles to the parking area (elevation 4000 ft.). The road is somewhat rutted but a little Toyota Matrix made the drive, so no excuses... There are restrooms at the parking area and the trailhead into the Cucomonga Wilderness begins on the far side near the interpretive boards.

DESCRIPTION: The trail immediately begins in a heavily burned area from recent California wildfires and there are some sketchy portions of this trail from sliding debris after the ensuing winter rains. With that being said, the trail to Commanche takes visitors from the burnt chaparral slopes to a thriving pine forest is just a few short miles. This trail parallels the Middle Fork Lytle Creek almost the whole time. There are numerous campsites along the way such as Stonehouse (4,380 ft. and just 0.9 miles from the parking lot), Third Stream Crossing (5,200 ft. and 2.3 miles from the parking lot) and Commanche at 5,970 ft. and the turnaround point at 3.8 miles.

Heading up to Commanche, there will be a junction at approximately 0.6 miles. This picture story follows the right fork out to Commanche staying above the Middle Fork Lytle Creek and on the return I covered this side trail which crosses Lytle Creek at a couple points. NOTE: This side fork is where the Stonehouse camping area is. Both of these forks meet back up in approximately 0.8 miles at the boundary to the Cucomonga Wilderness.

Evidence from the recent fires has all but disappeared by the time you reach the Cucomonga Wilderness boundary. At Third Crossing, look for the large boulder on the right side (same as the trail) of Lytle Creek. At this large boulder you will see spray painted arrows pointing the way. It was a little confusing before I noticed this helpful marker and sure enough, the trail is evident just across the creek. At the top of this small rise will be the Third Stream Crossing campsite. It only appeared large enough for one tent but there was a fire pit so I figured that was the right location. Keep in mind (and be respectful) the fact that fires may not be permitted at this location. The trail has a couple lung blasting switchbacks before coming to Commanche.

The Commanche campsite was dry (even in the month of May). It was set below a very large tree but otherwise will not be very noticeable. I basically used my Tom Harrison Trail Maps of the Angeles high Country to gauge my location with the surrounding terrain. Just up trail from the Commanche campsite (suitable for only one tent), there is a canyon branching off to the left (south) where the trail is in a semi flat area. This flat area is just a couple minutes up trail where the Middle Fork Lytle Creek once again flows. If you have an overnight camping permit, this area will be plenty sufficient for a water source (Year-round) or this will be the end of this hike. Back track to the junction; now just past the Cucomonga Wilderness boundary because you're heading back to the parking lot. Take the right fork instead of the high and dry route to the left. This right fork will cross the Middle Fork Lytle CReek a couple times before finally coming to a large area with numerous fire pits and camp sites (Stonehouse). The creek is just past for water. Not sure if it was the time of year, but the black flies at Stonehouse campsite were slightly annoying. I could feel their presence all around me and it was as if they were taunting me by saying, "I'm not touching you!" But again, they could be seasonal.

If you did not get any permits to stay overnight, then you will have one more crossing at a small waterfall. The first junction will be just ahead and the parking lot right around the corner.

OPTIONAL: This trail is mostly a gentle grade and could be used as a higher altitude training run for say; the Annual Mt. Baldy Run-To-The-Top race.

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Cucomonga Wilderness, Lytle Creek, Middle Fork Lytle Creek, San Bernardino National Forest, ANgeles National Forest, Lytle Creek Ranger Station, hiking, backpacking, camping, Stonehouse campsite, Third Stream Crossing campsite, Commanche campsite, forest

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