#150 The Norco Crosses

Heading into the hills.

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

Overall Hiking Totals:

Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.945903°N, -117.517427°W.

Summary

Norco is Horse Capital USA.  At least it's Horse Capital of Southern California.  City streets are lined with walking paths for riding horses, which made me feel a bit out of place while driving to the trailhead.  I parked at Pikes Peak Park in a suburban community and walked down the street to Ingalls Equestrian Center.. 

Heading toward Peak 1261.

From there, a network of trails go into the hills, with the most notable destination being Pumpkin Rock.  While most visitors go to Pumpkin Rock, I deliberately bypassed a visit to it by heading straight into the hills from the equestrian center.  A decent use trail heads up to the ridge to the north of Pumpkin Rock.

On the summit of Peak 1261.

I summited Peak 1456 first, which had a cross on top, but it was in disrepair.  My next time up I found it badly damaged and lying on the ground.  Regardless, it was satisfying to reach the summit and appreciate the views.  I next extended out to Peak 1261, which has the best views on the hike. 

Riverside city views.

It is a bit out of the way from the loop but worth the effort getting to.  When heading back, and just below Peak 1456, the hike passes another impressive cross at an overlook point above Riverside.  Although not intended to, that point also marks the near halfway point between Peak 1261 and Peak 1477 (AKA: Ravitz), which is the high point on the hike.

Halfway to Peak 1477.

The hike continues up the ridge to the high points around Peak 1477.  Another grand cross marks the summit with great Inland Empire views. After topping out, the trail goes steeply downhill toward Crestview Avenue, where street walking goes the rest of the way back to Pikes Peak Park, forming a grand semi-loop through the Norco Hills.

Approaching the high point.

Reaching the top.

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Simulated Hike:

#148 The "M" View

Getting a good view of the "M".

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

Overall Hiking Totals:

Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.95902°N, -117.2722°W.

Summary

While still being early in my 1,000 hike quest,  I felt the need to get as many as I could to get my numbers up.  In that process, I had an internal argument: Do I provide comprehensive hiking plans, or also count short hikes as appropriate destinations.  Although I mostly sided with the comprehensive choices, on certain days, I felt that short outings were hikes too.

Looking up at Box Springs Mountain.

Thus hiking days take into account your current frame of mind.  Therefore, in retrospect, I think I would have included this hike as part of the #76 hike (The M Hike).  This would have only added about an additional half mile to that hike.  With that being decided, If I become a published author of my hikes, I would consolidate this hike with hike #76.  That means that I get to gather a completely new hike to add to my list someday.

At the overlook above Moreno Valley.

Meanwhile, with the desire to complete a short hike with some sweat equity, this is a good option.  The trail goes on The M Trail for much of the way, but there are also side trails that I included this time around, thus making it seem like a completely different hike.

Viewing the "M" from the overlook.

It eventually breaks off from the M Trail and extends south to an overlook over Moreno Valley.  To the NW sits the "M" in a perfectly clear view.  It is definitely the highlight of the hike.  If choosing to make this the turnaround point, as I did on the day, I returned the same way, while taking in some of the lower overlooks that face the east.  Kind of mini hiking adventure, but well worth the effort!

One last look on the way back.

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Simulated Hike:

#145 The Two Trees Trail & More

Wild Burros near the upper parking lot.

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

Overall Hiking Totals:

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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#139 The Box Springs Mountain Loop

Heading for the high points on the loop.

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Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.9617°N, -117.2803°W.

Summary

Although there are other potential starting points, for the loop I prefer starting in the parking lot at the end of Box Springs Mountain Road.  From there, I set off on a rather counter clockwise loop to include 5 peaks along the way.  There are actually a few more on the plateau, but I included them on other hikes that I completed and included in my So Cal list.

Peak 2602.

My first peak on the loop was Peak 2602.  A use trail diverts from the loop to reach the summit.  On the day, the morning started out foggy, and it provided an odd view of the landscape that certainly seemed rather non Southern California appearing. 

Otherworldly views on the plateau.

from there, I returned to the loop and went to Box Springs Mountain Lookout, which is a lower viewpoint on the plateau.  The steepest part of the hike comes next as the trail elevates toward the highest points of Peak 3001 and Box Springs Mountain.  Great Riverside and Inland Empire views are visible for miles.

Inland Empire views.

After visiting Box Springs Mountain, the loop continues north where I got off the loop again to visit Peak 2866.  That was the last diversion before returning back to the parking lot.  It opened my eyes to formulate a plan to include a few more peaks when doing the Two Trees Trail a few weeks later.

Approaching a high point.

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#135 Pinkerton Hill

Gazing across from one summit to another.

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Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.95082°N, -117.382°W.

Summary

Not really much of a hiking location, being that it is in the middle of the city (and also in the middle of a memorial park), Pinkerton Hill marks a significant high point in Riverside.  However, since it is undeveloped, it makes a great spot to elevate to a nice natural city viewing platform. 

Cemetery Ridge.

Parking is in Olivewood Cemetery, or on nearby Dakota Avenue.  The hike quickly elevates to twin peaks on a short ridge.  One being Cemetery Ridge, and the higher one being Pinkerton Hill.  Visiting both takes little effort, but that little effort is rewarded with great views. 

Overlooking the 91 Freeway.

Admittedly, it is a little bit morbid hanging around a memorial park, but it is a nice leg stretcher when in the area.

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