Long Valley Loop

Long Valley is quietly nestled between Long Valley Peak and Los Pinos Mountain, two of the tallest peaks in the area. The trail starts with a scenic 1-mile drive along an easy-to-navigate shelf road, after which the loop begins by heading either west or south. To the west, Eagle Nest Mine can be found along the northern part of the loop, 0.4 miles west of the branch. The entire round trip, starting at and returning to Bear Valley Road, is 5.5 miles. This trail, when combined with Bear Valley Road, makes a great half-day adventure for anyone looking for mountain views, some seclusion, and navigating something more aggressive than a dirt road.

Difficulty

About a tenth of a mile from the start (eastern end) is the hardest part. A roughly 20-foot steep slope with embedded rocks that may place a vehicle at a 20° pitch. The slope and rocks can be easily navigated and have good traction. The trail smooths out at the loop and alternates between dirt and golf ball to baseball-size rocks. High clearance and 4WD is recommended.

Camping

There is a large rocky area at Eagle Nest Mine with a small hand-made fire ring. It is not very level and definitely not soft, but with some carefully placed rocks or blocks and a rooftop tent, it could make for a nice site. Camping does require a dispersed camping permit from the Descanso Ranger District.

Access

The trail starts near the end of Bear Valley Road, which is the only way to access the trail with 4 wheels. Kernan Cycle trail also connects to Long Valley Loop, but it is only open to motorcycles.