Reviewed by: Brent ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I used to work at Montrose bike shop and we would ride this trail all the time after work. All you guys talking big about cleaning it is cool, but san andreas dh bike? platform pedals? whats up? we were doing it and still do now and then on steel hardtails with rigid forks and clipless pedals with no dabs at all. I am glad you are riding this trail and it is hard but very rideable for any decent rider on any tipe of bike with any type of pedal. Also, this trail is homemade and I am certain not legal so be careful. AND DON'T SKID!!!!!

Recommended Route:
go up the mountain go down the mountain

Other recommended trails in the same area:
scotts trail

Reviewed by: COLIN MORTSON , from BURBANK

Summary:
TECHNICAL,steep. rutted BUSHY but DOABLE ON good eqipt. mine BLACK SAN ANDREAS DHS.

Recommended Route:
I ride up walnut st. firerode up to the Y and go right and ride the FIRE rd. past all 3 ANTANAE stations and stop at the BEAUDY intersection and [FAKE] VIPER is 50 ft. below a TECHNICAL steep rutted singletrack that NO WAY COMPARES TO the real VIPER IN NEWHALL. I ALSO kill that singletrack ALLL OF IT NO DABS even on the 3 CHUTES. IT"S a SICCCKK TRAIL you the NO NAMER WHO POSTED probably can't master VIPER>>>

Other recommended trails in the same area:
THE REEEAALLL VIPER IF YOU CAN HANG...

Reviewed by: MC , from Altadena

Summary:
Country Squire best describes, very steep in places and through very thick brush. I tried since there was a comparison between El Prieto and this. That doesn't work. More like the Upper Merrill with 20 degree steepness and really thick brush. It was fun, but some sections were too rutted for me and had to hike it down. Overall OK, but next time I will use platform pedals. Don't think about it if you have clipless XC pedals. I give this 2 flaming chilis since it is only for the more extreme riders. The ruts, no real traction when braking and deep ruts make it difficult. It is fun when the descent angle is less than 15%. That only accounts for about a 1 mile of the 3.

Recommended Route:
Get to the Bench at the top of Beaudry Motorway and Brand Park. About 50 yards east of the Bench

Other recommended trails in the same area:
-none-

Reviewed by: The Country Squire , from Highland Park, Ca.

Summary:
If yor idea of technical riding consists of extremely steep, deeply rutted and loose singletrack through dense brush, then this is your trail. If not, don't waste your time. While there are some really cool, tight sections which thread their way through the bush, I found them to be a little too brief to be worthwhile. One nice thing, however, is that this trail has yet to be widened into a four lane the way El Prieto and La Tuna have. Other than that, I can't recommend it very highly.

Recommended Route:
Up Whiting woods fire road to the top where it intersects Verdugo fire road. Go left (east) to the bench at Brand intersection. Keep to your left and keep a sharp eye on the left (north) side. Trailhead is about 50 yds. down past the bench.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Ken Burton, Strawberry Peak, Hoyt

Reviewed by: Mark Fagan , from Tujunga, ca,La

Summary:
The conditions now are as good as it gets, lots of traction from the rain but not to rutted. You should have very good bike skills to ride this trail, it is quite steep with many rutts.

Recommended Route:
widing woods

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Haines canyon singletrack, Riverwood ranch.