TORCH TRAIL REVIEW #002 | UPPER LYTLE CREEK (SAN BERNARDINO, CA)

For our second TORCH Trail Review, we’re heading to the high ridges of the San Bernardino National Forest. We teamed up with off-road enthusiast Nathan (@jt_nathan) to review a scenic trail in San Bernardino, CA.

Upper Lytle Creek Divide is a beginner-friendly trail that offers great views, elevation gain, and a ridgeline drive through the San Gabriel Mountains.

TRAIL OVERVIEW

Upper Lytle Creek Divide is a classic SoCal ridgeline run. Starting from the canyon floor near Lytle Creek, the trail climbs steadily, eventually placing you on a high divide between the Lytle Creek drainage and the Cajon Pass. On a clear day, you can see the desert floor to the north and the snow-capped peaks of Mt. San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) to the west.

THE TERRAIN

The trail surface is primarily loose rock and hard-packed dirt. While much of the main road is accessible for high-clearance 2WD vehicles in dry conditions, there are a few optional routes that will require 4WD to navigate safely.

As you climb, the trail narrows in spots with significant drop-offs. It’s not a rock crawling trail by any means, but the verticality and the loose surface keep you engaged the whole time.

THE EXPERIENCE

The highlight of this trail is the "Divide" itself. Once you reach the ridge, the geography opens up. It’s a perfect spot for photography or a trail-side lunch or cookout near the Gobbler's Knob area. If you have extra time, there are several "Yellow Post" sites (dispersed camping areas) along the route if you want to turn the day into an overnight camping trip.

TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS

Air Down: Even though it’s not overly technical, airing down to around 20 PSI will improve your traction on the loose rocks and washboard sections.

Watch the Weather: This ridge is exposed. High winds are common, and if clouds roll in, visibility can drop. Always check the mountain forecast before heading up.

The 7.7 Mile Mark: Our scouted video covers the most scenic leg. If you continue past our turnaround point, the trail can link up toward Highway 138 or the Cajon Pass, extending your drive by several miles.

Watch for Hikers: This ridge intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Keep a sharp eye out for hikers crossing the road as you navigate the higher elevations.

SUMMARY STATS

• Location: San Bernardino, CA (San Gabriel Mountains)
  
• Distance: ~7.7 Miles (Driven section, trail extends up to 11 miles)
  
• Difficulty: Easy (Beginner Friendly)
  
• Terrain: Hard-packed fire roads, mild washboard, light gravel
  
• Rig Requirement: High-clearance 2WD / 4x4
  
• Best For: Camping, cookouts, scenic photography, trail testing

THE VERDICT

Upper Lytle Creek Divide is the perfect trail if you're new to the off-road scene or field testing your rig. It’s close to the city but feels worlds away once you’re looking down at the mountain views. It makes for a great excuse to get your tires dusty if you’re located in southern California.

A huge thanks to Nathan for this review footage and the second trail in our series. Make sure to follow his channel for more Socal trail runs and Jeep build videos.

Are you trail-ready? If you’re planning any off-road adventures this season, make sure your rig is dialed in. Check out our Suspension Lift Kits to gear up for your next excursion.

Want to be featured in an upcoming review? Drop us a comment or message us @torchoffroad

Stay tuned for the next review, where we'll be leaving CA and checking out new terrain! -TORCH