Located in Los Angeles County, the community of Lake Hughes lies in a largely rural area of California. The land surrounding it features four water bodies, the Quail, Munz, Hughes and Elizabeth lakes, and these draw recreational visitors to the area. A number of off-road trails also run through the landscape around the lakes, which hikers, mountain bikers and off-road drivers can use.
This route runs a distance of around 11 miles, from Lake Hughes Road to Sawmill Campground. It has a graded dirt surface and rises just over 2,000 feet in elevation from low to high point. The U.S. Forest Service has given it a skill level rating of easy, making it a suitable for novice or more experienced off-road users. The modes of travel which can use the trail include pedestrian hikers, cyclists, horse riders and 2- or 4-wheel motorized vehicles.
An entrance on Lake Hughes Road enables off-road vehicles to gain access to the Angeles Forest Discovery Trail. This route runs through Angeles Forest and was created by the U.S. Forest Service specifically for off-road use. The surface and layout of the trail make it suitable for 2- and 4-wheel vehicles. While the entire length of the trail takes it from Rowher Flats to Interstate 5 at Gorman, in the area of Lake Hughes it winds its way up Sawhill Mountain. This provides some scenic views out over the surrounding countryside.
This park has a number of trails running through it, mainly for the use of hikers and mountain bikers. The routes typically vary in length from around 4 to 7 miles, with a number of them having challenging terrain to negotiate. Some of the options include Gillette Mine Trail, Fish Canyon Trail, Warm Springs Trail and Burnt Peak Trail. With the various trails it has to offer, Hughes Lake Shore Park can provide a good base for those looking to come to the area and enjoy some hiking or cycling.
This trail runs for a distance of around 24 miles, and has a surface which 4-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles can use. The full length of the route takes it from Quail Lake to Lake Hughes Road, along which it climbs around 2,300 feet in elevation. Although winding, the route is considered easy to negotiate, making it suitable for all levels of experience. A number of side routes branch off from the main trail, and these can end in viewpoints offering scenic vistas of the surrounding countryside.
