The best road cycling routes around Palmdale

While only open on the weekends the Elyze Clifford Interpretive Center, is an excellent resource for those visiting the preserve. Named after a local environmentalist, this interpretive center has many hand on displays for kids and adults alike to learn about the local geology, biology, and human history of the area.

WIthin this 120-acre park you'll find three miles of well maintained trails, taking you through a microcosm of desert landscapes. Though small, this nature preserve is home a wide array of plants and animals that are well adapted to the desert climate. As you hike around the park keep your eyes open for jack rabbits, and cottontails darting between Juniper and Joshua Trees. Or find a lizard sunbathing on a rock or one of the many bird species that circle in the skies above. The city of Lancaster has an excellent video with a few of their Park Rangers walking and talking you through the park so you know what to expect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDSlaCE1pyo

Lancaster is a twin city with its southern neighbor Palmdale; together they are the major cities in the Antelope Valley region. The city is separated from the Los Angeles Basin by the San Gabriel Mountains to the south and from Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley by the Tehachapi Mountains to the north. Lancaster's origins as a settlement date back to the Southern Pacific Railroad replacing stagecoach routes. The railway built a station house, a locomotive trough, accommodation for section troops and track systems on the site of today's city center. In 1876, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed the route through Antelope Valley connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles

San Francisquito Canyon South via Pacific Crest Trail is a 6.5 mile return trail located near Santa Clarita, California that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips.

This scenic road runs north-south from Saugus in Santa Clarita to Leona Valley. It is a somewhat faster route than Bouquet Canyon to the Leona Valley area. San Francisquito Canyon has been home to the Harvey Carey Trading Post and numerous horse ranches. The canyon was also a part of the original wagon road between Northern and Southern California. At the time, the summit was known as Turner’s Pass. The St Francis Dam, originally in this canyon, collapsed in 1928. Over 500 people died as a result of the ensuing flood. This stretch between Green Valley and the Pass is perhaps the most scenic section, and it passes by the crossing of the Pacific Crest Trail. Watch out for hikers crossing the road or getting picked up to run in the town for groceries to resupply.

First (or last) opportunity to resupply for a long hilly ride up or down Spunky Canyon. Great subs. The cafe is closed, try stopping by when Filthy's Foodtruck is there. You recognize it by the long lines of people on a lonely desert town road ...

This is a great stretch of road, with some nice views of the Bouquet Reservoir.

From here it is only a few miles hiking or hitchhiking west into Green Valley for resupply. In urgent cases Green Valley trail angels could come to pick up tired hikers. Most PCT thru hikers are going South to North, though in years with heavy snow lasting late into summer some are doing snow free sections first, which makes it interesting to know the southbound trailheads at important road intersections, as well.