chino hills ride for newbs?

[dweinberg01]

Some friends and I were thinking about trying to ride chino hills next thursday. Was wondering if east fenceline to bane ridge or aliso canyon would be a good newb ride. looking for 10-12 miles with some climbing. Ride could last about 3 hrs before rigor mortis set in with a couple of the guys. Any suggestions would help.

By the way, we have been riding about 12 miles every other day with moderate climbing for the past month. We just want a change of scenery and the pics on here are awesome.

I also need directions to the trailheads from Victorville.

[Sprockethead]

I'm not real familiar with the East side trails in Chino Hills, but to get there, 15 South, 60 West, 71 South, then Exit on Soquel Canyon Parkway. Turn right heading West (up the hill) until you get to Elinvar Dr. and make a Left. Elinvar will turn into Sapphire Rd. Where it bends, look to your right and you'll see the road into Chino Hills State Park. Used to be $2 to park in Chino Hills, but that was a few years ago. A lot of people park on Sapphire Rd. and just ride in.

I usually ride the west side trails from Brea and Telegraph is very newbie friendly.

[drew12]

I never entered or ridden on the east side eaither. The previous poster is correct in the west side is very NOOB friendly. I have taken a few groups of newbies there, adn they all liked it.
Check the link below for the bests parking area, and parking is $5 on weekends. Sonetimes there is no Ranger at the gate, so my suggestion is to bring exact change in $1 or $5. It is closed for 48 hours after any significant rain, just FYI.
If there is a ranger, they will be happy to give you a map. Also as it isa pretty active area, the riders will give you a heads up if you ask.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...09978&t=h&z=17

[Pain Freak]

You can park on the highway (143?) too. I used to park there and never had a problem. The westside of the park would be better for newbs.

[BrewMaster]

What time are you planning on riding on Thursday? I live right at the trailhead in chino hills and might be able to show you around.

Fenceline has 3 parts the way I look at it. The last 2 parts are pretty newb friendly but there are a couple of spots that are slightly technical for newbs. I started riding last year and cut my teeth riding CHSP so I believe it is a good place to learn and be challenged.

Going up upper aliso to Bane Ridge is fun but there is a hike a bike at the end. Still Bane Ridge is one of my favorite trails in the park.

Lower aliso is kind of boring unless you go up Skully ridge.

Both fenceline and Bane Ridge are one way trails, both going north to south. Don't try doing them backwards unless you have a death wish. Trust me, ive tried and will never do that again.

Parking is $4 in the middle of the park but I always ride in. Its only 1 mIle from the street to the start of either fenceline or bane. Its a good warm up.

I can post more info and links later when I get to a computer on Sunday. BlackBerry is not link friendly. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

I love CHSP and I know you will too.

[dstepper]

IMHO: East side of the park has the best trails. Fenceline, Upper Aliso, Bane and Raptor are good trails. I like CH when it is green. Enjoy it before the mustard grass chokes off the singletrack

Dean

[dweinberg01]

Hey Brewmaster,

We will probably be down there about 9:45 in the morning (gotta drop my kids off at school at 8:00). If you can make it, we would appreciate it, if not can you PM me the best route to take i.e. left here, right here etc. I have a cyclometer so if you give mileage that will help too. Thanks.

[DangerSlave]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

Both fenceline and Bane Ridge are one way trails, both going north to south. Don't try doing them backwards unless you have a death wish. Trust me, ive tried and will never do that again.

I love CHSP and I know you will too.

We normally start out from the golf course and ride in on Lower Aliso and either go up Bane Ridge from the horse area or up to East Fence via the look out or Slaughter Canyon. I think only one of us wants to die when we're done.

[Rockinthecasbah]

I could ride chino on thursday I know my way around, but as they said starting at the east side of the park would be alot more newbie friendly

[Pugz]

I might be down for joining this ride, please post what your final decision is so I can see if I might be able to join.

[Jman]

I totally don't know this area but is CHSP the area on the opposite side of the 91 from where the Santa Ana River Trail Starts. I guess you'd turn left on Green River Road and go over the 91? Am I way off or close?

[stinkyrider]

If someone posts a Chino newb ride, I'm in as well.

[bighit8]

I want to come. I will be back on the bike and need an easy ride.

[trickster]

With all the recent rain I'd be surprised if CHSP is open for another week

[Rockinthecasbah]

if its closed we can ride somewhere else. The loop? Oaks?

[dweinberg01]

Man, this is awesome, everyone wanting to come out and ride. I just checked the National Weather Service and it shows scattered showers tonight(Sunday) and clear and sunny the rest of the week, with a high on Thursday of 75 degrees.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/Map...ld2=-117.56556

I saw on the website that the park is closed for 48 hours after 1/4 inch of rain. What other criteria do they use to close it?

I hope they don't close the park, but if the do just let me know where to meet and my friends and I will be there.

May have to find someone else to take the kids to school that day.

[DangerSlave]

Originally Posted by trickster

With all the recent rain I'd be surprised if CHSP is open for another week

True. CHSP seems to stay wet and Muddy in lots of areas after decent rains. I know someone here will call the park ahead of time to see if it's open. Tread lightly...

[trickster]

From what I understand, Sycamore Park in Riverside is rain tolerant and beginner friendly. Could also be an option for you.

[un-kola]

Originally Posted by DangerSlave

True. CHSP seems to stay wet and Muddy in lots of areas after decent rains. I know someone here will call the park ahead of time to see if it's open. Tread lightly...

CHSP does stay muddy for quite a while after a good storm.After this weekends rain don't be surprised if it's closed for at least a week to a week and a half or more,depending on the amount of rain that fell.You can also call them for conditions @ 951-780-6222 ext.19.- Lloyd

[BrewMaster]

We didn't get too much rain here in Chino Hills, but I think Thursday will be the soonest the park will be open. Probably next Saturday is more likely. Call the park ahead of time to be sure.

I can't ride early in the day on weekdays cause of work, but Ricky or Trickster know the park well so they might be able to help you out.

Here is the location of the trail head. You can get directions as appropriate.

My suggested route would be: (reference these trail maps)

Note that the hard copy trail maps available at the ranger booth have more trail names than the electronic copy on the website. I highly recommend picking up one of these FREE maps as you enter the park.

-Up Bane Canyon Road
-At the ranger booth (get your free map here) at the top of the hill, take the single track on your left. This ST is only about a mile at most. It paralells the Bane Canyon fire road and ends at another fire road.
-At the end of the ST, turn left and climb up the fire road (called Pomona Trail on hardcopy maps).
-Climb up this fire road and over the hill. Stay to the right or and follow the fire road over the ridge and down. At the bottom of the saddle, turn right onto East Fenceline trail. If you get to a locked gate on the fire road, you missed East Fenceline.
-Follow East Fenceline across one fire road.
-East Fenceline ends at The Longway Around fire road. Climb up to the top of this trail and you will get to McLean Overlook. Great views from up here.
-After McLean, backtrack down the fire road all the way down to Bane Canyon Road. Note: Corral Trail is NOT newb friendly, so don't go this way.

-Turn left onto Bane Canyon Road and ride it to the end where the road becomes paved. Follow the paved road all the way around to the ranger station.
-Go all the way to the back of the ranger station and take the fire road in to Sidewinder Trail (about 1/2 mile). Sidewinder is a single track on your right.
-Climb sidewinder all the way up to Bane Ridge. Enjoy the hike-a-bike and exposure.
-Turn right onto Bane Ridge and run this single track all the way to the equestrian center (about 2 miles).
-At the equestrian center, head out to the paved road, turn left, and follow the paved road/fire road all the way out of the park.

This route will be about 9 or 10 miles. There are many other routes and with a map you should be able to find your way around.