Lone Pine Canyon Bike Climb to Table Mountain

United States California Lone Pine Canyon

Lone Pine Canyon Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

25.1

PDI

15.3 mi

DISTANCE

4,511 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

5.2 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

Lone Pine Canyon climbs 15.3 miles from Highway 138 (3,307 ft) to the Table Mountain parking area (7,515 ft), gaining 4,511 ft at a 5.2% average grade. It is one of several routes to Table Mountain in Southern California's San Gabriel Mountains, and the one that runs through Wrightwood, the mountain town about halfway up. By our rankings it is #68 in the USA and #567 in the world.

Long, long and straight. This one is almost as much of a mental battle as it is a physical one. The views, fresh mountain air, and the final ascent to Table Mountain are rewarding!

"From just west of Interstate 15 head up Route 138 along a shallow grade to begin the climb. At mile 1.0 turn left on Lone Pine Canyon Road. Follow this very scenic section to the town of Wrightwood, making several turns once in town to end up at Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway). Turn left on Route 2 and climb for 4 miles to the junction with N4 (on the right). At that junction turn right (just before you reach N4) to climb up to Table Mountain where the ascent ends at the top of a parking area." - John Summerson, The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike), 2nd Edition

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route.

5.2% average grade over 15.3 miles. The steepest 100 yards runs at 13.0%, the steepest quarter-mile at 11.5%, the steepest half-mile at 10.7% and the steepest mile at 10.0%. Over longer stretches it settles down: the steepest 2.5 miles average 8.8% and the steepest 5 miles 7.7%.

The first 8 miles to Wrightwood gain about 2,720 ft (6.4%), the road dips roughly 180 ft through town, and the final 6.2 miles gain about 1,670 ft (5.1%) to Table Mountain.

Roadway: The road surface is excellent for the entirety of the climb, and San Bernardino County has completed storm repairs on Lone Pine Canyon Road (new asphalt, rebuilt road base and rock slope protection). Caltrans has Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) closed to the west after winter storm damage, with the closure starting at the Big Pines Highway junction where this route leaves Highway 2. Check Caltrans QuickMap and San Bernardino County Public Works (909-387-7910) before you ride.

Traffic: Traffic is very light, but can be very fast moving - however you can hear a car approaching for miles.

Parking: Ample roadside parking near the start of the climb, close to the Highway 138 junction.

Provisions: Wrightwood, about halfway through the climb, has what you need: Wrightwood Brew Co. (1257 Apple Ave) serves sandwiches and flatbread pizzas and is one of our all time favorites, The Village Grind (6020 Park Dr) is a coffee shop, and Wrightwood Fine Foods (1340 CA-2) is a full grocery with a deli. There is also a small market and gas station at 1315 Highway 2.

Gear: You start in the desert at 3,307 ft and finish at 7,515 ft, so pack layers; Wrightwood itself sits at 6,208 ft.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.

Wrightwood is a pine-covered mountain town about 77 miles northeast of Los Angeles, on the Pacific Crest Trail and next door to Mountain High ski resort. It has been evacuated for wildfire three times in recent years (2016, 2020 and 2024), so check conditions in fire season.

This climb shares all but its last 2 miles with our Lone Pine Canyon - Blue Ridge Summit climb, and our Table Mountain (Big Pines Hwy) climb reaches Table Mountain from the other side. The finish is at 7,515 ft, so check current conditions with our Weather tool before you go.