San Gorgonio Mountain from Monument Hill
Cole Creek in the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.
Monument Hill Loop in the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
- Location: Near Murrieta in southeast Riverside County. From I-15, take Clinton Keith Road for 5 miles and park at the visitor’s center on the left. Parking is $2 daily.
- Agency: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
- Distance: 5.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 400 feet
- Difficulty Rating: PG
- Suggested time: 2.5 hours
- Best season: October – May
- USGS topo map: “Wildomar”
- More information: here
- Rating: 6
Recent rains notwithstanding, the vernal pools of the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve are not going to be filled to capacity for a while. But there’s still a lot of good stuff to see here, such as Stevenson Canyon, the historic adobes, the good-for-kids Granite Loop and Monument Hill. The latter is one of the highest spots in the reserve, at 2,046 feet. On clear days, expect great views of San Jacinto, San Gorgonio and if you’re lucky, the ocean.y possible routes to Monument Hill. If the loop here is too long, you
From the visitor’s center, take the Waterline fire road southeast. (You can extend the trip slightly on the more scenic Granite Trail too if you like). After a 0.8 miles, you arrive at the Tenaja Truck Trail. Take a left and go 3/4 of a mile through a grassy field dotted with Engelmann oaks to the single-track Lomas Trail, on the left. The Lomas Trail ascends, steeply at times, to meet the Monument Hill fire road. Take a right, and at about a 3/4 of a mile, look for an overgrown trail leading toward Monument Hill. Here, you can sit on a bench and contemplate the view.
Back at the fire road, continue another mile or so to Fault Road. Head left, into a canyon that resembles those of Chino Hills State Park, and soon you arrive back at the Tenaja Truck Trail. Head left, back toward Waterline Road, and take a right and retrace your steps to the visitor center. If the Vista Grande trail is open, you can take it as an alternative (like Fault Road, it also connects Monument Hill and the Tenaja Truck Trail.)
If the route sounds at all confusing, pick up a map. The park is well signed, so navigation shouldn’t be a problem. With the extensive network of trails, there are several possible routes to Monument Hill, as there are to all of the other famous sights in the park. If you are pressed for time, consider taking Vista Grande or Fault Road both ways, instead of heading west to the Lomas trail.
