By TIM WILCOX
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
Where: Lake Arrowhead
Length: 5 miles (round trip)
Elevation gain: 195 feet (outbound), 227 feet (inbound)
Challenge: easy to moderate
Among the most-overlooked hiking opportunities in our mountains is the network of U.S. Forest Service roads. These spider-webbing routes invite “Where does this one go?” exploring. On any given day or week, though, one or more of them may be closed – usually for safety-related reasons. Stay assiduously attuned, then, to any temporary signage that’s been clearly posted by the Forest Service.
OK, with zero restrictions in place several days ago, we ventured onto Rouse Ranch Road for at least the 10th time in the last five years. This route begins as the left branch from Torrey Road (right turn off Highway 173 across from the Arrowhead Lake Association boat-launching ramp). The initial uphill section of Rouse Ranch Road is paved and, around a big turn, segues to Hospital Road.
You’ll need to go left there and leave your vehicle in MacKay Park’s large lot. Then walk back along that paved stretch for three-tenths of a mile, turning left immediately past the Lake Arrowhead Community Services District’s imposing corporate yard onto what soon becomes a dirt road. Rouse Ranch extends for quite a few miles, winding in a northeasterly direction into the wilderness until it intersects with Squint Ranch Road. We won’t venture quite that far.
On the road
This is a great trek along a wide Forest Service road. It’s heavily rutted in spots, with standing pools of water after rainstorms. Still, hikers will discover that it’s a consistently manageable and enjoyable foray.
After passing through an open gate, you’ll cross the North Shore Trail that begins in the campground above (“Let’s Go Hiking,” Dec. 19, 2024). As you proceed, you’ll notice that the road is heavily rutted in spots with lots of loose stones. This is a wide-open hike, with only a few trees on either side. The western chaparral biome – manzanita and other hardy evergreen shrubs – predominates. From start to finish, the most prominent landmark is Green Peak. Almost directly east, it rises 7,023 feet.
The farther you go, the more removed you are from traffic noise. It’s an increasingly peaceful outing. And while it is a road, you’re hiking in the wilderness. This means that mountain lions are probably permanent residents here, though you’re unlikely to meet any of the big, primarily nocturnal cats. Still, as we’ve noted before, it’s smart to carry a canister of bear spray or mace when you’re hiking in remote areas.
The route is mostly downhill, with a few level and slightly rising stretches. There’s a chance you’ll encounter an off-road four-wheeler or a dirt bike (especially during warmer months) but, unless you’re listening to loud music with headphones or earbuds, you’ll hear them coming. Just be aware of that possibility, please.
The lowest point of the hike occurs at about the 1.5-mile mark. Then the road suddenly becomes a markedly uphill route. Along this stretch there are some slippery spots caused by loose sand. Again, walk with care. Views of a mini-valley to the right and more distant mountains in several directions are delightful.
More than two miles into the outbound leg of this hike, views of mountains to the northeast reveal that they’re almost totally devoid of trees.
Then, at about the two-mile mark, the road levels out into a clearing. Here you’ll get terrific views of The Pinnacles (“Let’s Go Hiking,” Feb. 13) to the northwest and, farther north on a haze-free day, Hesperia and Victorville in the High Desert.
When you come to a fork in the road, just beyond a Forest Service “Designated Vehicle Route” marker, hike to the left. Now you’ll be ambling gently downhill with continuing glimpses of Green Peak to the east and lightly vegetated mountains to the northeast. Here, too, the road is quite rocky – especially along its margins.
At about the 2.4-mile mark, the road levels out. Except for birds in the bush and occasional jets passing overhead, it’s refreshingly quiet. When the route rises briefly once again and then begins another descending stretch, you’ve covered 2.5 miles. Of course, you could continue onward for some distance. Still, this is a good place to turn around and retrace your steps all the way to MacKay Park. Expect to be hiking for about two hours.
NOTES: Rouse Ranch Road offers a peaceful, easy-to-moderate hike through chaparral-covered hills. During summer months it can be too hot, similar to The Pinnacles Trail. But this time of year, it’s cool to warm. When the road is covered with more than a mere dusting of snow, make sure to have boots with traction cleats or, even better, snowshoes.
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