#134 The West Jurupa Hills Loop

Approaching Peak 1768.

Southern California Map

Driving Map.

Overall Hiking Totals:

Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.0308°N, -117.4728°W.

Summary

The West Jurupa Hills borders the 60 Freeway in between Fontana and the city of Jurupa Valley.  Despite being clearly visible to thousands of passersby's daily, it is lightly visited. 

Approaching the summit.

There are also no trailhead signs marking the grand hiking opportunity that awaits.  That makes it part of the adventure, by setting out on the trail and finding where it leads.

Summit views.

I was able to form a loop through the hills, where the hike crests on a few high points.  One is Peak 1768.  The others are unnamed points on the ridge, one with a tower structure on the top.

A unique version of "rock art".

From there, the trail drops down toward city level and loops back parallel to the homes, forming an efficient loop.  Although this is nearby homes and the freeway, it feels separated from both, and a bit like a slice of solitude in a busy part of the Inland Empire. 

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#133 Southridge Village Hill

South Ridge Village Hill is crowned with a cross.

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

Overall Hiking Totals:

Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.03937°N, -117.4763°W.

Summary

Southridge Village Hill is a short neighborhood hike with a big payoff from the top.  It is probably best to pair this with other short Jurupa Hills hikes to round out a hiking day. 

Heading up the slope.

However, if a short workout hike is on the docket, this is an efficient one.  The hike has a steady climb, culminating with a dramatic cross near the summit.  The actual summit provides a nice overlook over the cross and of the surrounding suburban cityscape. 

The summit cross.

Whether hiked on its own, or in combination with other local hikes, this makes for a great outing in the Inland Empire.

Summit views.

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#132 Mount Jurupa

Heading up Mount Jurupa.

Location of the hike.

Driving Map.

Overall Hiking Totals:

Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.0322°N, -117.4428°W.

Summary

The Jurupa Hills rise sharply above the bedroom communities of the Inland Empire.  For locals, this provides a great way to escape the pressures of life and little bit of outdoor exercise. 

A gallery of rock art.

For the rest of us, this is just another great place to enjoy a hiking opportunity.  The hike starts in Martin Tudor Regional Park, where a free parking lot is.  A trail leaves the parking lot going west.  While passing along the base of the peak, A very steep use trail shoots up its side.  This is where you suck it up and start climbing. 

Approaching the summit.

It is definitely steep, but a short climb toward the top.  Eventually the grade lessens while approaching the summit.  The top is wide and flat, most likely the result of some grading done years ago.  Meanwhile, it is a great viewing platform over the Inland Empire, and of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. 

On the summit.

The descent needs to be taken slowly, since the steep grade can cause injuries if going too fast.  Otherwise, it is a quick out and back, featuring several "art inspired" decorated boulders along the way.

Inland Empire art.

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Simulated Hike:

#131 Mt Williamson

The formerly pristine slopes are now fire damaged.

Location of the hike.

Driving Map.

Overall Hiking Totals:

Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.37379°N, -117.862°W.

Summary

From the parking area at Islip Saddle, I picked up the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) going north.  The trail gradually climbs to where it intersects the Mount Williamson Trail.  This section of trail remains scenic, despite large pockets of fire damage from recent fires. The climb gets a bit steeper on the lower slopes of Mount Williamson. 

Mount Willamson SE Peak.

There is also far less shade.  Eventually, the trail intersects the ridge.  By turning right, I visited the first peak on the ridge, Mount Williamson Southeast Peak.

Viewing the desert through the pines.

The summit is wide and round, and has good views toward the desert.  I turned back to the west to continue along the ridge.  The next high point was to the left of the trail with a short scramble.  This was the official summit of Mount Williamson.  Boulders crown the summit with a register. 

Mount Williamson summit.

After leaving my mark in the register, I continued west to the end of the ridge, where another high point sits.  Once reaching Peak 8248, the ridge takes a sizeable dip.  This was suitable for me as a turnaround point for the hike.  Although, once in the past, I continued on to the next peak along the ridge.

Walking along the ridge.

On this day, I was content with the three Williamson summits, and headed back the way I came.  Although fire damage took away some of the hike's luster, This is still one of the more scenic spots in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Hiking past the lower slopes that got a direct hit from the fire.

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