Mt. Baldy from San Juan Hill

Up, down and all around on the South Ridge Trail!

Text and photography copyright 2011 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.

San Juan Hill in Chino Hills State Park

• Location: Yorba Linda.  From the 57 freeway, take Orangethorpe exit and head east for 4.2 miles.  Turn left on Kellogg, go 1.8 miles and turn right on Yorba Linda Blvd.  Go 0.3 miles and turn left on Fairmont.  Go 1.6 miles and turn left on Rim Crest.  Follow Rim Crest to its end and park on the corner of Blue Gum and Rim Crest.  From the Riverside area, take the 91 freeway to Yorba Linda Blvd.  Go northwest on Yorba Linda Blvd. for 2.4 miles, and turn right on Village Center.  Go a mile and turn left on Fairmont.  Go 0.3 miles and turn right on Rim Crest.
• Agency:  Chino Hills State Park (home page here)
• Distance: 6 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
• Difficulty Rating: PG-13 (Distance, elevation gain)
• Suggested time: 3 hours
• Best season: December – May (open daily, 8am – 5pm)
• Recommended gear: sun hat; sunblock
• Recommended guidebook: Afoot & Afield Orange County
• USGS Topo Map: Yorba Linda
• More information: here
• Rating: 6

San Juan Hill (elevation 1,781 feet) is the highest point in Chino Hills State Park.  The hike from the Rim Crest trial head is easy to follow, and provides a good workout, taking in nice views of the area.  Chino Hills State Park is now once again open seven days a week, and the Rim Crest entrance is the only one where parking is free.  On weekdays, you’re likely to have little company (on my recent trip I saw only 3 other hikers).

From Rim Crest, take a right on the South Ridge trail and head east, making a steep initial climb.  At about 3/4 of a mile, look for the Little Canyon trail branching off to the left.  Around here, you start getting some nice views of Mt. Baldy and the San Gabriels, above the north ridge.  On the right you can see the Santa Anas and the suburbs of north Orange County.  On clear days, the ocean and Catalina Island are visible.

The trail continues, following the ridge.  Several service roads branch off , but the main trail continues its approach to San Juan Hill.  At 2 1/2 miles, the Bovinian Delights (fillet mignon?) trail branches off to the left.  Soon after, look for a single track on the right side, signed for San Juan Hill.  A short climb brings you to the summit.

Here, you get a nice 360 degree panorama of the surrounding area.  Power lines block the view of San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, but despite that, the scenery is well worth the effort to get there.

On the way back, you can take the same route, or you can extend the trip into a loop by taking the Bovinian Delights trail down to Four Corners.  From there, head left (west) on Telegraph Canyon and head about three miles to the Easy Street Trail.   Head left and return to Rim Crest Drive.