#146 Sierra Peak

Looking toward the mountain top.

Southern California Map

Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.85012°N, -117.6537°W.

Summary

The hike to Sierra Peak is long, no matter where the starting point is.  There are two routes that are along dirt roads, which makes it ideal for visiting via mountain bike. However, if a mountain bike can do it, so can a hiker.  The hike I completed started on the Santa Ana River Bike Trail in Corona. 

Views from Grassy Peak.

It did seem kind of awkward whenever bike riders passed by in this more than one mile segment of the hike.  It eventually breaks off to the south and passes under the 91 Freeway, where it eventually turns into a dirt road.  The hike passes through a little known section of  Chino Hills State Park, where I briefly visited Grassy Peak.

On the summit of Grassy Peak.

Grassy Peak was a minor victory, with much more gradual climbing to follow.  It quickly leaves Chino Hills State Park and enters Coal Canyon Ecological Reserve. to a high point on the ridge, known as Mini Moab Peak. 

Mini Moab Peak

A slight off trail led me to the high point.  I picked up Leonard Road from there and proceeded toward Sierra Peak.  It officially enters Cleveland National Forest along the way.  On top are numerous radio towers and good views. 

Approaching Sierra Peak.

After eating my sandwich, I headed down the same way.  I could have taken the Pipeline Trail down to form a loop, but I remember it being steep and rather hard on the knees, so I bypassed it and opted for more mileage (it only would have saved about 1.5 miles).

On the summit.

However, since the return the way I came was a gradual downhill, it was more of a long pleasant stroll than taxing, due to the mileage.

Summit benchmark.

Still, It felt rather awkward on the bike path in the remaining stages of the hike, but it was nice to look back up at the mountain as I walked beneath it, realizing that I had conquered it. Also there was no true reason to feel awkward, since I wasn't one of the bike riders on an easy flat ride, I actually did something on the day!

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Simulated Hike:

#145 The Two Trees Trail & More

Wild Burros near the upper parking lot.

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Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.98555°N, -117.3058°W.

Summary

From the Two Trees North Trailhead in Riverside, the Two Trees Trail gradually climbs toward the high peaks on Box Springs Mountain.  The climb is unshaded but with some interesting boulder clusters to view along the way.  Also, Sugarloaf Ridge runs parallel to the trail.  The Box Springs Plateau gets reached in about 2 miles, where I made the decision to visit the rest of the peaks that I didn't get to visit when last ascending Box Springs Mountain. 

Table Peak.

The first stop was Table Peak.  I took a turn to the north to reach it.  A trail used to access Sugarloaf Ridge is where I left the road, then I accessed a use trail to reach the peak.

Heading up Peak 2843.

Afterwards, I backtracked to the upper parking lot, then continued toward two lightly visited summits.  These were Peak 2843 and Peak 2880.  Both were off trail scrambles past large boulders.

On Peak 2843 looking over and Peak 2880.

Visiting these three peaks meant that I completed all  the peaks on the Box Springs Plateau.  With that, I looped back down the Spring Trail and back down the Two Trees Trail.  This is a classic Inland Empire hike, which is almost entirely unknown to many, other than the Two Trees Trail portion of the hike.

On Peak 2880 looking toward Box Springs Mountain.

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Simulated Hike:

#144 The Pantera Park Trail

Picking up the trail on the ridge.

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Driving Map.

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Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.01392°N, -117.7911°W.

Summary

Pantera Park turned out to be hike number three on the day, however, for visitors with limited time, this makes for a great short outing outside.  The hikes starts in bustling Pantera Park, where basketball courts and tennis courts are often full.  The hike begins in the parking lot and passes a dog park before accessing a trail that elevates toward a ridge.  A trail continues along the spine of the ridge toward the high point known as Pomona Benchmark.  Usually for me, the climbing of a peak at the end of the trail culminates a hike. 

Looking toward Pomona Benchmark.

However, in this case the peak is on private land, thus reaching it would be a case of trespassing.  There is a large fence near the end of the ridge trail that exemplifies that fact.  Some may ascend at their own risk.  It was tempting to me, but ultimately I never considered the risk to be worth it.  Instead, I turned around and headed back toward the water tank that sits above the park.  From there, I dropped down another pathway to form a small loop from the water tank back to the park.  This makes for a quick outing, but rather satisfying, since the hike passes through some open spaces preserved within the city limits.

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Simulated Hike:

#143 The Sycamore Canyon Park Trail

Passing through Sycamore Canyon.

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Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.00563°N, -117.8089°W.

Summary

Sycamore Canyon is one of the three hikes I was able to highlight in Diamond Bar.  Since each are short, I did them all in one day in order to round out a nice hiking day.  This hike was the shortest of the three while also having its own distinctive personality. 

Pleasant Strolling.

It sits in a lush canyon with its rim ringed with homes.  However, once on foot on the canyon floor, it feels like a secluded canyon out in the wild.  Well, part of the time, anyway.  The trail parallels a creek in an oak woodland before elevating to a junction.  A sharp left leads to the top of the park high point. 

On the summit loop.

A small loop path encircles the high point while featuring some picnic tables.  The loop feels a bit like a victory stroll after completing the short climb. 

Returning to the canyon floor.

Afterwards, I returned into the canyon and spent a little extra time getting close up looks at the creek before concluding the hike and heading to the next destination on the day.

Checking out the creek.

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Simulated Hike:

#142 Steep Canyon - Grandview Loop

Passing along the oaks on the Grandview Trail.

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Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.00632°N, -117.8051°W.

Summary

Whenever the hiking bug hits me, but the driving bug doesn't want to come along, I will opt for a nearby neighborhood hike.  Although I don't live in Diamond Bar, it is a short drive from home.  Fortunately, there is some preserved open space nearby all the housing developments that are well established for hiking.  Probably the best of all options is the Steep Canyon - Grandview Loop. 

Dropping into the canyon.

The hike has a few potential starting points, but the most reliable would be from the end of Steep Canyon Road, where a signed trailhead is.  The trail elevates a staircase and continues up a ridgeline.  It tops off at a highpoint before bending around above a neighborhood and arrives at Summitridge Park. 

Climbing out of the canyon.

The hike passes through the parking lot where it picks up the Grandview Trail.  This part of the trail drops into the canyon and passes along a shaded oak woodland before climbing back out below the ridgeline.  This forms a loop back to the trailhead.  The are feels a bit secluded and non-urban, despite being adjacent to the city itself.

Returning below the ridgeline.

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Simulated Hike: