Huasna Road
(S. Millich climbs the Huasna fire road)
This is a long one, but a good one. If you’re looking for twenty nine (could be thirty depending on where you park) miles of fire road, this is one of the few places where you can get it in SLO County and still be on public land.
From Arroyo Grande and 101 take Grand Avenue through the village (downtown). Continue towards Lopez Lake on Lopez Lake Road. Soon you will see a sign that directs you to the small township of Huasna. Follow the signs towards Huasna. From the Lopez Lake Road / Huasna turnoff it is about ten miles. Enjoy the drive…very scenic.
Soon you will see a sign that inform you that you are entering private land, and that you are not stray to the left or the right of the road. The road itself is public, so no worries about riding illegally. Parking, however, may be another story. Park just outside the sign in the dirt turnout to be safe.
Make sure you have food and plenty of water and head down the paved road for one mile. You will soon cross a wooden bridge. On the other side fire road awaits. It is very difficult to get lost on this fire road. There are roads that drop left or right, but most have pipe fences indicating private property.
Stay on the fire road for twelve miles. You will climb very gradually through ranch land, finally climbing steeply at about the ten mile mark. Once on top, the road starts to flatten. Enjoy views of the Huasna Valley, rock formations, and old abandoned ranch homes.
At the twelve mile mark, you will arrive at a large pipe gate. Welded on the gate are the words No Trespassing, but the road is actually legal to ride. Hop the fence and continue onward. There will be a couple of miles of gradual downhill to ride. Stop at the 13.2 mile marker.
On your right you will see twelve steel fence post (you can’t miss them). Stop here. This is a great place to turn around, or you can ride another mile on the fire road to a campground. Supposedly, the fire road continues to Garcia Ridge, but is closed at the 14 mile marker.
From the fence posts you can take a brief and worthwhile hike-a-bike excursion to Garcia Portrero. According to guidebooks, petroglyphs are to be found in the abundant rock formations. Cut directly across the field to the left of the fence posts and cross the creek (you can still ride this part).
You will be inclined to follow the cattle trails left, but you’re actually looking for an old double track that cuts straight up from the other side of the creek. It’s a bit tough to spot at first, but a little poking around just opposite the creek will do the trick.
You can ditch your bike at the double track and walk in. The hike-a-bike section of this walk is very brief, and most of this is rideable, so don’t feel like you need to walk in if you don’t feel comfortable ditching your bikes. Once on top you can ride all t he way to the rocks.
Take the double track up and over a short hill and soon you are in the middle of a beautiful and spanning meadow. Rock formations are everywhere for your exploration. Walk the path to the end, past the rocks. You will find a beautiful overlook of the Huasna Valley. On a clear day you can see the ocean far to the west. This is a great spot to spend a few hours exploring.
Hoof it back to you bikes and ride the 13.2 miles back to your car. The ride back is mostly downhill; big chain ring stuff. At 29.5 miles your are back to your ice chest. Cheers!
