Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library on Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda uses the international symbol for...I'm not sure what...to encourage compliance with local traffic and parking ordinances.
View of the parking area on the north side of Rimcrest from the Intersection of Rimcrest and Windsong.
Approaching the entrance to the park which is just to the right of the large tree.
A trailhead Kiosk provides basic information about Chino Hills State Park.
Signage in Chino Hills was excellent as of November 2002.
The Raptor Ridge Figure 8 described here begins with a right (eastbound) turn from the trailhead Kiosk onto South Ridge Trail.
Looking back towards the trailhead and westward from South Ridge Trail.
Mountain Biker traveling westbound on the South Ridge Trail.
Coyote Melons are found in large quantities throughout Chino Hills State Park.
Gorgeous views make challenging ascent up South Ridge Trail towards San Juan Hill quite pleasant.
The view north from the higher points along the South Ridge Trail provide great views of the southern ridges of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Chino Hills State Park sees a lot of equestrians. These folks were in good spirits and enjoying a near perfect day of riding.
Well marked trailhead for Bovinian Delight / Tarantula Canyon Trail singletrack which provides a stunning route to Four Corners.
A nicely banked turn on the Bovinian Delight singletrack trail has one pushing the speed limit.
For a relatively short section of trail the Bovinian Delight offers a wide spectrum of terrains.
Lush green hillsides thrive in the shady sections of the canyons and hillsides in late summer and fall.
You'll be wishing the trail never ended well before it actually does.
Crusing along the blissfully perfect Bovinian Delight singletrack towards Four Corners.
Crusing along the blissfully perfect Bovinian Delight singletrack towards Four Corners.
Nice wide turn at the base of a short but steep descent along the Bovinian Delight / Tarantula Canyon singletrack towards Four Corners.
Winding through pure California countryside along the Bovinian Delight singletrack towards Four Corners.
Four Corners picnic area comes into view as the Bovinian Delight / Tarantula Canyon singletrack comes to an end.
Four Corners picnic and rest area in Chino Hills State Park.
The renowned Raptor Ridge singletrack is signed as merely "Raptor Canyon" at its Four Corners trailhead.
Equisite trail consistency and an occasional technical rocky section make for an exhilirating ride on the Raptor Ridge Trail.
Equisite trail consistency and an occasional technical rocky section make for an exhilirating ride on the Raptor Ridge Trail.
Equisite trail consistency and an occasional technical rocky section make for an exhilirating ride on the Raptor Ridge Trail.
Hard rubber waterbars make the climb along a ridge leading up to a large electrical tower a bit more interesting.
Raptor Ridge singletrack...
Raptor Ridge singletrack weaves under and through a large electrical tower at about 4.5 miles into the trip.
Raptor Ridge briefly becomes a wider trail between the Electrical Tower and a sharp jog to the left back onto incredible singletrack.
This section of the Raptor Ridge singletrack is mainly downhill and FAST.
This section of the Raptor Ridge singletrack is mainly downhill and FAST.
This section of the Raptor Ridge singletrack is mainly downhill and FAST.
Approaching an intersection with Upper Aliso Fire Road. This section of the Raptor Ridge singletrack is mainly downhill and FAST.
You'll notice this windmill as you approach the intersection with Upper Aliso Canyon Trail.
The intersection with Upper Aliso Canyon Trail at about 5.8 - 6.0 miles occurs in a somewhat shady saddle.
At the intersection with Upper Aliso Canyon Trail, looking uphill and northwestward. Our route goes RIGHT and southeastward.
Southeast direction of Upper Aliso Fire Road brings us to the Visitors' Center at about 7 miles.
Chino Hills State Park Visitors Center along Upper Aliso Canyon Fireroad.
Passing through the Visitors' Center, make a left at this intersection and then prepare for a quick right onto the South Ridge Fire Road.
South Ridge Fire Road intersection approaching on the right.
The South Ridge Fire Road trailhead is well signed and a technical challenge owing to its steep and rutted character.
South Ridge Fire Road trailhead is well signed.
As a wide fire road, South Ridge is relegated to a lowly position in the mountain biking trail hierarchy.
Rare shady section of the South Ridge Fire Road.
South Ridge Fire Route with a view of the upcoming intersection with Telegraph Canyon Fire Road connector to the right.
Closing in on intersection of South Ridge Fire Road and the Telegraph Canyon Fire Road connector to the right.
We'll go RIGHT onto Telegraphy Canyon connector road.
A little under a half mile after turning onto the Telegraph Canyon Fire Road connector AVOID the fire road branching off to the right.
Trail sign marking continuation of Telegraphy Canyon connector trail straight ahead ( or left ).
View of Four Corners from Telegraph Canyon connector trail.
Crusing past Four Corners picnic area on the left and beginning a brief, gentle climb on Telegraph Canyon fire road.
Telegraph Canyon fire road.
Telegraph Canyon fire road.
Riparian terrain along Telegraph Canyon.
Riparian terrain along Telegraph Canyon.
Riparian terrain along Telegraph Canyon.
I'm sure there's a good story behind this landmark in the streambead along Telegraph Canyon.
Stream crossing along Telegraph Canyon.
Approaching intersection with the Diemer Trail at left which will reconnect us with the South Ridge Trail to complete our Figure 8 loop.
Looking up the Diemer Trail leading up to the western South Ridge fire road from Telegraphy Canyon fire road.
This trail is marked with large letters as "South Ridge" and small letters on top indicating that it's the Diemer Trail.
The climb up the Diemer Trail to the South Ridge fire road is STEEP, especially at this late stage in the loop.
Nearing the intersection with the South Ridge fire road, the Diemer trail begins to level off.
South Ridge fire road offers more spectacular views of the surrounding areas, much of it scarred by the arson fire of fall 2002.
South Ridge fire road offers more spectacular views of the surrounding areas, much of it scarred by the arson fire of fall 2002.
Approaching the final climb of the 16+ mile Figure 8 loop through Chino Hills State Park.
Radio-controlled model aircraft enthusiasts take advantage of the updrafts atop South Ridge facing south.
Fast downhill descent towards the Rimcrest trailhead kiosk.
Final descent towards ride's end marks the end of yet another epic southern California Mountain Bike excursion.
Chino Hill State Park is home to some VERY SERIOUS radio-controlled model aircraft enthusiasts.
Chino Hills State Park - Raptor Ridge Fire 8 - 16.6 miles, 2600+ vertical feet.
The more common route to the Chino Hills State Park / Raptor Ridge trailhead brings one past the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. If there's one thing Republicans and Democrats will agree on, it's that Chino Hills State Park offers incredible mountain biking...
Having traveled far and wide in California, I've yet to see a roadsign which has a more obvious message of "follow the rules or else." Despite the intimidating roadsigns, the neighborhood around the trailhead seemed low key and welcoming to law-abiding bikers and hikers.
During my visit in November, Park Officials were looking for tips on the identity of an arsonist who torched a large section of the west side of the park. This photo shows a small section of a charred hillside that fell victim to this heinous act of stupidity.
The South Ridge Trail is a wide fire road that travels almost the entire east-west length of Chino Hills State Park loosely along the southern border of the park. We'll travel on this nice trail about 2.7 miles before connecting with our first singletrack, Bovinian Delight ( also known as Tarantula Canyon Trail ).
The South Ridge Trail is a wide fire road that travels almost the entire east-west length of Chino Hills State Park loosely along the southern border of the park. We'll travel on this nice trail about 2.7 miles before connecting with our first singletrack, Bovinian Delight ( also known as Tarantula Canyon Trail ).
Many of the bikers I encountered along this section of the South Ridge Trail were traveling in the opposite direction from me. For those who dislike long, challenging uphills, riding this loop in the opposite direction provides a more gradual ascent up Telegraph Canyon.
If you look closely at this photo you can see the trail continuing on the ridge at the upper right.
This group of riders was just south of the intersection of the South Ridge Trail with the Bovinian Delight / Tarantula Canyon Trail singletrack which heads north from this point.
I can't say enough about this singletrack. Though heavy horse traffic and rain drainage can sometimes leave this trail rutted and bumpy, when it's smooth it is one of the great singletracks in southern California. It mainly roller coasters to Four Corners but there are a couple of very steep and technical uphills and downhills that make it a challenge for riders of any skill level. The views along the trail are quintessential California countryside.
Four Corners is the main intersection that creates a "Figure 8" loop out of this route. As you will see, there is a picnic area and shaded rest stop at Four Corners.
Four Corners is the main intersection that creates a "Figure 8" loop out of this route. As you will see, there is a picnic area and shaded rest stop at Four Corners.
Four Corners is the main intersection that creates a "Figure 8" loop out of this route. As you will see, there is a picnic area and shaded rest stop at Four Corners.
Four Corners is the main intersection that creates a "Figure 8" loop out of this route. As you will see, there is a picnic area and shaded rest stop at Four Corners. Four corners is defined by the intersection of Bovinian Delight, Telegraph Canyon Connector trail, Raptor Ridge Trail, and Telegraph Canyon Trail.
Four corners is defined by the intersection of Bovinian Delight, Telegraph Canyon Connector trail, Raptor Ridge Trail, and Telegraph Canyon Trail. I stopped here for a few minutes to watch a coyote on a hillside to the east hunting and eating ground squirrels. This was one of 5 or 6 coyotes I encountered during the afternoon.
On a clear day, northbound views from higher elevations provide ever-changing views of the southern San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains.
This gorgeous section occurs at about 4.25 miles, just before reaching a large electrical tower, under and through which the trail travels.
Signs to the right of the wide trail and at the head of the singletrack are simply marked as "trail." However, anyone with a singletrackmind needs no further invitation to know to follow the perfect singletrack northeastbound to the left.
You'll want to watch your speed here as deep ruts occasionally cross the trail and seem to pop up rather unexpectedly.
You'll find picnic tables, information, a water round, and perhaps even a port-a-potty at the visitor's center.
You'll notice the trailhead for the Telegraph Canyon Trail to the right at this intersection. Bypass this in favor of the South Ridge Fire Road Trail where we'll gain elevation and be treated to some more stunning vistas before taking Telegraph Canyon Trail on our return trip through Four Corners.
The ascent up South Ridge Fire Road from the Visitors Center trailhead is long and challenging - a nice way to reheat one's muscles after a brief stop at the Visitors Center to poke around for information.
Nonetheless, the views from this fire road are spectacular and make travelling on this route a real treat. The fire road affords great views of the southeastern reaches of the park was well as the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains to the north.
Views from this fire road are spectacular and make travelling on this route a real treat. The fire road affords great views of the southeastern reaches of the park was well as the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains to the north.
Views from this fire road are spectacular and make travelling on this route a real treat. The fire road affords great views of the southeastern reaches of the park was well as the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains to the north.
Views from this fire road are spectacular and make travelling on this route a real treat. The fire road affords great views of the southeastern reaches of the park was well as the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains to the north.
Our figure 8 requires us to take Telegraphy Canyon Fire Road connector to the right here.
The Telegraph Canyon Fire Road connector trail will shortly return us to Four Corners and then an incredible downhill cruise along the fire road through Telegraphy Canyon.
The Telegraph Canyon Fire Road connector trail will shortly return us to Four Corners and then an incredible downhill cruise along the fire road through Telegraphy Canyon.
This fire road winds through 4 miles of Telegraph Canyon and a mind-boggling array of California habitats and terrains. From the shadiest, fern-covered riparian streambeds to the hottest, driest chaparral hillsides, this trail shows it all.
Chino Hills State Park is thick with wildlife. Coyote seem to be everywhere. Bobcats are found throughout the park and seen with relative regularity, hawks seem to be perched on every high branch, and the list goes on. According to an equestrian who claimed extensive familiarity with the park, the lower, riparian sections of Telegraph Canyon are Bobcat hotspots.
This trail is marked with large letters as "South Ridge" and small letters on top indicating that it's the Diemer Trail.
This trail is marked with large letters as "South Ridge" and small letters on top indicating that it's the Diemer Trail.
The fire damage from the arson fire of fall 2002 was very evident along the Diemer Trail and South Ridge fire roads.
We'll make a left at the hilltop intersection and then begin climbing anew along the South Ridge fire road.
You'll notice yet another radio-controlled model aircraft enthusiast hiking up towards the launch site atop South Ridge.
After being informed that this was to be the maiden flight for this big bird, I hurried to my car and packed my gear, wanting to remove my truck and bike from the potential flight path ( and crash landing area ) of this huge toy.
Since I tend to take a lot of side "check out" trips when biking an area, my mileage and elevation gains tend to exceed that specified for a "direct" trip along any given route. The "textbook" version of this route will run about 16 miles and 2400 vertical feet.
