Best Hiking In The Inland Empire
Whether you like to lace up those shoes and go for a run or gather up the family and friends to take a stroll through the local trails, there are many hikes in the Inland Empire that have both challenging terrain or scenic routes. The location is one of the rapidly growing counties in the California region, and hiking has taken a leap in popularity and one of the go-to physical activities in the area. From beginners to the more experienced, here are some of the best trails in the Inland Empire.
California Citrus State Historic Park
9400 Dufferin Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504
(951) 780-6222
www.parks.ca.gov
Take a stroll on the grounds of the historic park where you can learn about the introduction of the citrus industry in California and enjoy the fragrance of the orchards. There are quite a few things to see in this area with its walking trails that have views of the orchards and surrounding Riverside area which includes Mt. Rubidoux. The Gage Canal is one of the few locations that provides water to the area since 1890 and the must-see attraction is the "Varietal Grove." There are hundreds of different citrus fruits and bags of oranges are available for sale in the area. The park is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm with a $5 per vehicle fee.
Morton Peak Lookout
Mill Creek Ranger Station
(909) 382-2882
www.fs.usda.gov
Named after a local Redland resident, this summit is home seven lookouts in the San Bernadino National Forest. There is a great vantage point of San Jacinto, the Palomars, the Santa Anas and the San Gabriels. The exposed trail is great for those who enjoy a trail that is open with even terrain. The elevation gain is about 1,350 feet and it can take close to 2.5 hours to get through the entire 5.2-mile hike. It is highly recommended to get an early start on this hike to avoid the heat and sun on the exposed trail and to get a view of the nice aerial Mill Creek.
Hulda Crooks Park
25701-25757 Canyon Road
Loma Linda, CA 92354
Named after a longtime Loma Linda resident, Hulda Crooks was an avid mountaineer that was nicknamed Grandma Whitney that made 23 ascents at this particular summit, even one at the age of 91! The trails at this location are popular with joggers, equestrians, hikers and bikers. The terrain is almost completely exposed and offers many different routes when you are taking on a hike. The scenery available includes San Gorgonio and Baldy.
Tin Mine Canyon
W Foothill Parkway & Trudy Way
Corona, CA 92882
The nearly five-mile trail located in Corona is located on the eastern end of the Santa Ana Mountains and includes some seasonal steam, geology and an abandoned tin mine. The trail to the mine is accessible after a mile trek on the Skyline Trail. About a mile into the hike you will see the entrance of the tin mine, and don't miss the tall pink sandstone wall before seeing the views of the hill above. This hike also is a special hike in the Spring where folks can view the California newts, a special salamander that only survives on the natural stream ecosystem.
Wiashal & Cole Canyon Trails
23150 Single Oak Way
Murrieta, CA 92562
www.rivcoparks.org
The demanding hike at Wiashal is followed by the Slaughterhouse and Cole Canyons, which are stream-fed canyons at the edge of Temecula Valley. The hike is just over seven miles and ranges in difficulty of steepness, elevation gain, distance and terrain. Murrieta is best known for its rolling hills and historic adobes, although the Wiashal hike is on the "wilder side" and include deeper ascents and descents with rugged terrain. You will find bikers and equestrians on this trail as well. At Cole Canyon, include more scenic routes and make sure not to miss the Indian motreros, small holes in the rock near the trails.
