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An area little know outside of the IE, there is an area in several secluded canyons that offer an escape from the traffic and business of Southern California. It is know as Lytle Creek Canyon

The Middle Fork of Lytle Creek offers a popular access trail to the Cucamonga Wilderness Area. As you hike up the canyon, the low brush and chaparral quickly gives way to steep slopes with big cone Douglas fir, Oakes and Cedar. Streamside sycamores, maple, and willow offer a scenic display of Autumn color and shade tranquil camp sites. Further up the canyon hikers and backpackers can enjoy the creek's numerous cascades and waterfalls on their way to the rocky precipice of the backside of Cucamonga Peak.

The lesser known South Fork offers a true wilderness experience. Hundreds of people hike up the South Fork's typically dry lower gravel wash to visit scenic Bonita Falls (located on a South Fork tributary).

Animals of all species find refuge from the Southern California Suburbs. On one late Indian Summer day, I and my friends observed a colorful and somewhat rare mountain king snake sinuously gliding across the trail. I was the closest and it scarred the you know what out of me. I think I jumped about 10 feet in the air. Further on, the tell-tale rattle of rocks directed my attention to a small herd of bighorn sheep, perched precariously on a perpendicular cliff across the canyon. On my way back to the trailhead, a pile of fresh bear scat and an ambling trail of large paw prints reminded me that I wasn't the only trail user. My friends and i kept a wary eye out for any un announced tag along

Lytle Creek offers a truly wild outdoor experience within a few minutes drive of one of the nation's largest urban areas. Although much of the upper Lytle Creek watershed was protected by designation of the Cucamonga Wilderness in 1964 and 1984, the lower portion of the Middle Fork canyon and most of the South Fork remain unprotected. The Forest Service considers both the Middle and the South Forks to be eligible for National Wild & Scenic Rivers status in recognition of their outstanding scenic, fish and wildlife values.

The small community of Lytle Creek is well know for its summer time fishing and camping and swimming. Several new homes have been in the past 10 years but many of the older log and wooden buildings still stand and make up the hub of the small rustic, Virgina Hill like enviroment.

It's an area that I have been going to for the past 55 years, first with my parents and family and later with my nieces so that they could watch their first snowfall to now when I like to travel up to the Lower Ranger Station and just park under the trees and listen to the quiet.

How To Get There

From Interstate 15 near San Bernardino, take the Lytle Creek Road exit and head northwest to the town of Lytle Creek. Turn left on Forest Road 2N58 and proceed to the Middle Fork trailhead.