Hike Long Valley Peak Cleveland National Forest, CA

Apr 15, 2023 — Long Valley Peak is a minor summit near Pine Valley CA. It's got a cute scramble and otherwise feels more remote than it is due to the lack of official trail system and lesser visitation than many other peaks in the area. I parked at the end of Pine Valley Road, which is blocked by a gate and allows ATV use, but not cars. All other vehicles at the trailhead had a trailer attachment for dirtbikes or the like, so I knew I'd be the only hiker out here.

The original route used for reaching Long Valley Peak seems to use an old dirt road that has now been chopped up and covered in debris with the hopes it will return to nature. Instead of using this tedious route, I chose to instead follow a series of illegal dirtbike trails through the brush. I know it's illegal to use motorized vehicles back here because multiple signs along Pine Valley Road state as much, though hiker traffic is fine. To reach this secret trail system, I first started on foot along the gated Pine Valley Road, taking it less than half a mile. On the right was a metal barrier and on the opposite side a faint trail that quickly became more obvious. I followed it through small gullies and over tiny creeks. The trail was muddy and rutted from illegal dirt biking, and at times I found myself straddling the muddy trailbed moat formed from years of thick motorized tires. I was able to see Long Valley Peak on a few occasions when the trail emerged from the brush and into small clearings.

After wandering through the hills for a bit, the trail entered a gully leading southwest. I'd been able to keep my shoes dry until this point, but a flowing stream made this much more difficult. I assume this moisture is just due to the massive amount of rain this year, but in conjunction with the tire marks, the trail has basically become just a streambed. At the top of this gully, the trail emerged into a more open view onto an old roadbed on the west side of Long Valley Peak.

It might take a moment to locate the trail along Long Valley Peak's western ridge. An eroded slope leads off the roadbed and up onto the brushy slope. Fortunately, a well-traveled social trail continues through the brush without any real bushwhacking. Although steep at times, I was thrilled to learn I wouldn't be bashing through chaparral. Toward the summit, some Class 2 boulder-hopping added some fun, and the scrambling lasted longer than anticipated. I enjoyed the views from up here, notably toward Corte Madera and Corte Madera Lake to the south, but of course also toward the many surrounding peaks the area is known for. Who knew the unassuming Long Valley Peak would provide such a nice viewing perch?

From the summit I could see a faint line etched into the hills to the east. I inspected satellite imagery and determined there might be some sort of old trail leading back to Pine Valley Road. The ascent through the muddy tire-ruined hills wasn't particularly cool and I was feeling up for a baby adventure, so I dropped off the opposite side of the peak to give a loop route a try. This descent began with a Class 2/2+ short scramble off Long Valley Peak, followed by a low-angle slab descent, and soon I located an unexpected cairn on the eastern shoulder of Long Valley Peak. This was enough of a sign for me to feel I could continue with confidence.

The cairn led me to a narrow social trail through the head-high brush. It was carved enough that I could move at a normal speed while hunched over, but without its existence I would have certainly just turned around. The brush was thick, but this route seems to get enough love to be viable. I was enjoying myself, happy to have found an alternative instead of out-and-backing it. A couple of Class 2/2+ boulder drops along the way were the only real obstacles. After dropping significant elevation, the trail began to lose its shape and at around 4600'. I got a little turned around for a minute, but was soon back on the trail and emerged at a much more obvious trail that ran perpendicular to the social trai I was just descending. I took this southeast, then took another north, and then directly east, finally meeting up with Pine Valley Road.

Overall more brushy than the ascent, I thought the descent I'd taken was an excellent way to make Long Valley Peak into a loop route. Although the road walk back isn't particularly interesting, it did have the best views of the day of Long Valley Peak, so that was a nice bonus.