Has anyone been up the Joe Elliot Trail to Etiwanda and Cucamonga Peaks recently? I am trying to confirm that the road is open up to the Memorial (which I have been told it is by mulitple sources).

The Ranger Station is absolutely no help. I called the Ranger Station and interrupted the Ranger with my questions about stupid and unimportant things like, you know, getting a permit, and how far up the road can I drive. First she told me the road was closed, then she told me it was open, then she told me it was only open part way, and then she told me she didn't know what I was talking about and would try to find out.

I would really, really like to do this hike/route since the road itself is normally only open for three months out of the year, but the hike is already 14-15 miles, and I don't feel like showing up bright and early on Saturday only to find out that I have to add 4-6 additional miles (or more) due to locked gates!!

It is likley open. They only open it in the fall for hunting and then close it after the first good storm. I drove it last year to the saddle approx. 1.5 miles east of the memorial. I was only going to Buck Point so I didn't try and drive any further, but I think you could. So you can drive at least that far.

The Lytle Creek Ranger station is the worst of the bunch.

hvydrt wrote:The Lytle Creek Ranger station is the worst of the bunch.

+1

hvydrt wrote:It is likley open. They only open it in the fall for hunting and then close it after the first good storm. I drove it last year to the saddle approx. 1.5 miles east of the memorial. I was only going to Buck Point so I didn't try and drive any further, but I think you could. So you can drive at least that far.

Sadly, it turns out this is not the case, so I guess I have to wait until next year. Apparently, per the Ranger, the road in has been closed due to "fire danger". But I do appreciate the feedback.