Beginner Trails around Cook's Corner

[sneakyt]

Hey guys and gals,

I've been to Whiting Ranch several times and I enjoyed it a lot, especially the climbs. However, I'm taking my partner there soon and this would be her second time riding. So she really need beginner trails. I tried searching but couldn't come up with anything yet. Can you guys name some trails around Cook's Corner (Whiting, STT, etc)? Thank you.

 

[grendal]

Why don't you take her up the fire road on the far side and down the sleepy hollow ST? That is as easy as it gets if she watches her speed. The couple of hard rights to short uphill might cause her to have to get off though so make sure she is comfortable with stalling.

 

[KBL]

If it's her second time riding I'd head over to Peters Canyon. The trails are mellower but still fun.

 

[D41]

Take her up Dreaded Hill!!:lol:


Seriously though, there's some nice & easy trails at the other end of Live Oak Canyon in O'Niell Park, or as KBL mentioned Peter's Canyon has some nice one's, as does Santiago Oaks - as long as you keep to the bottom part around the park entrance.

 

[mtnbikerfred]

part of Tijeras Creek Trail might be better

 

[9er]

part of Tijeras Creek Trail might be better

+1, maybe an out and back so you're not commited to a full loop.

 

[TREE]

+1 on Tijeras and O'Neil - the Arroyo trail through the jungle is mellow as well.

 

[genusmtbkr5]

Most beginners don't like to climb as they have not built up the endurance. With that in mind, don't take her up STT, she will never want to ride again.

 

[babu9000]

Take her to Aliso Woods. The fire road up to the base of Cholla is a nice ride. If she is doing good take her on Coyote on the way back.

 

[Rockinthecasbah]

i took mine up stt and down the luge...but im not a nice person lol

 

[KBL]

You should throw Telegraph Canyon Road in Chino Hills State Park into your beginner's list. It's a wide non-intimidating fire road and most of the time the grade isn't too steep. The best part is that since it's all uphill to Four Corners, you can turn around anytime you like and coast back to the entrance.

 

[herzalot]

I was going to say "just don't take her to Aliso." Babu's suggested route would be great, but Aliso in general is not a good place for beginners. Too many people try to get their first taste on Mathis, Rock-It, Cholla and Meadow. Those are waaaaaay too steep for all but the most aggressive and natural neophytes. Helicopters and emergency vehicles are all too common at A/W.

STT/Luge? You are mean!

 

[sneakyt]

Thank you guys for all the suggestion. Luge, STT, and the upper parts of Aliso are out for sure. She did surprised me the first time we went out by making some rocky climbs. But it was the downhill that scared her so she walked. I'll check out your recommended trails and let you guys know where we go.

 

[devodoc]

I used to take my 10 year old daughter into Whiting from the Wahoo's side. Stayed left and did the flat bottom part (Live Oak) loop. Very short and flat but has some fun single track; can make it a multiple lap or venture off towards Glen Ranch. Just be sure to do this in a CLOCKWISE direction as Live Oak can get a little busy

 

[no worries]

Longest "easy" ride I take the wife on is at Aliso.

Start from the parking lot, paved road till the side single track opens up. Right on the fire road, take that fire road all the way to the base of Cholla. Rest. Drink. Chat. Turn around and drop down, and take the right single track at Coyote. This single track is flat, with just 1 or 2 up and downs that she may want to walk. Take this all the way to the base of Mathis, then take that back out to the fire road. Again on the way back take a quick detour out on the single track to the base of Meadows, turn around. Head back to the parking lot.

This got us like 10 miles or something without more than maybe a 400 foot climb, no steep drops but plenty of single track.

Next place I want to try is Irvine Park. There's a bunch of single track in the river bed there, and you can loop around the park on mostly dirt. Looks like I could put together 8 - 10 miles of mostly flat, mostly dirt, with a fair amount of weaving single track.

 

[MV Rider]

Take her on the Arroyo Trabuco starting out from O'Niel Park. It is mostly level with some climbing that is not strenous. She will also get a feel for single track and some rocks when you come to stream crossings. Given the weather we have and are expected to have for the next few days you don't have to worry about riding at this time.

I wouldn't take a newbie on Coyote. The climb up shortly before Mathis is no big deal to experienced riders, but will be scary and daunting to new riders. I've seen and heard of riders falling and breaking their arms & other body parts at that location. Skip Coyote and just do an up to Cholla, turn around, and come back the same route.

 

[mtbfan]

How about the fire road toward Kasper's. It is pretty smooth and an out 'n back. The climbs are pretty mellow as long as you stay on the ridge. A couple of HAB for her, but the rest scenic and nice.

 

[Revalimage]

I wouldn't take a newbie on Coyote. The climb up shortly before Mathis is no big deal to experienced riders, but will be scary and daunting to new riders. I've seen and heard of riders falling and breaking their arms & other body parts at that location. Skip Coyote and just do an up to Cholla, turn around, and come back the same route.

Disagree - you just walk that section, up and down - you walk their bike if needed. There is one or two other little hills that my son had to walk before. I have fun stories of first time riders with NON-mtb bikes riding coyote. That is just the kind of trail to get people hooked.

Tijeras Creek jungle is a great one too. Post the time you want to ride, there may be someone who is willing to lead the newbies. I take newbies and kids out all the time - It is so much fun to see the joy in their faces as they conquer new stuff.