Caliente Mountain / Soda Lake
(R.T. rolls down a trail surrounded by wild flowers near the Carrizo Plain on the Caliente Ridge Trail).
This ride is terrific in the spring, especially when you can time the wild flowers correctly. Make sure to call the Carrizo Plain National Monument before the long drive out. Please check to see if the trail is open to riders as it has been known to be closed from time to time.
If you don’t mind the driving to and from, this is one of the best seasonal rides in the county. It can get extremely hot in the summer, so riding in the spring or late fall is recommended.
Take highway 58 out of Santa Margarita for 45 miles. After passing Soda Lake, turn right onto a dirt road marked “access to public land.” Follow the road for just under 4 miles to the Selby Cow Camp. Hang a left to the Selby parking lot. Definitely refer to the guide book (Fat Tire Fun) before trying this ride as it can be fairly difficult to locate. You can also access this trail from highway 166.
From the parking lot, climb straight up for 4 miles until you reach the upper Caliente Ridge Parking Lot. From here you can ride the fire roads that comb the spine of the ridge. Wild flowers are abundant in the spring from all sides. From the top you can look down to highway 166, and glance the vast valley and the Caliente Mountain Range.
You can make a long drop down from here with a long climb back up, or stay on top for a scenic ride. There is no legal access to highway 166 as the link between the Caliente Ridge Trail and the Caliente Mountain Trail is on private property.
There is also a network of roads that ride around the strange, but scenic, Soda Lake. You’ll want to park at the Soda Lake overlook for this one. Don’t forget to check out the Chumash Cave Paintings near the visitors center while you’re in the area. Antelope are easy to find on the plains, too.
This is a wonderful place to ride, and to spend the day when you’re done. Bring a lunch and plenty of water.
