3.8 hr
Overview
From Irvine Regional Park, pick an entrance to the Roadrunner Loop (aka: Blair Witch), and make your way north to Chutes. Blair Witch is a system of single tracks around the main trail, weaving through bushes and trees in a flat, sandy, flood basin. Try not to get lost.<br><br>At a kiosk, the trail drops steeply into a dry creek bed. On the other side is the beginning of Chutes. Right away you'll see a trail split to the right, this is Chutes Ridgeline, and is a technical downhill trail. DO NOT CLIMB! Stay left. Some tight switchbacks and a few short, steep, slopes later, the trails cross, putting Ridgeline on your left (scout the gnarly sections for later). While climbing, if you're lucky, you may get to watch someone bomb a tough downhill.<br><br>At the top, an easy doubletrack, Barham Ridge, crosses left and right. Go right. Pass the downhill entrance to Cactus Canyon on the left, and climb the slightly rocky, but wide, Barham Ridge for a half-mile. The view of the bowl-shaped hills, and all their trails, is awesome along here.<br><br>On the right you'll see Deer Trail, a really fun, intermediate singletrack. Although most riders descend from here, this trail connects to Weir Canyon Loop, so expect occasional two-way traffic. Deer reaches a low point in the canyon and begins its climb out with a series of tight switchbacks.<br><br>When the trail merges with another, make a hard left, almost a u-turn, this is Anaheim Hills Trail. Follow the trail up a few switchbacks, then try to stay in the saddle while climbing a few challenging rock-falls. When you reach Barham Ridge again, turn left and head uphill.<br><br>Pass the entrances to Coachwhip, and Deer Trail, retracing the earlier route to Cactus Canyon and turn right, downhill. Between the bushes the trail weaves a few times, then a few easy rolling jumps. Soon the easy, banked, quarter-turns start, one on top of the other, getting you into a rhythm. Near the end, there are a few switchbacks, then into the slot at the canyon bottom.<br><br>Climb Bumble Bee to
Trail Stats
12.7 km
394 m
318 m
154 m
—
Photos
Looking down ridge from near the top of Chutes Ridgeline.
Looking down ridge from near the top of Chutes Ridgeline.
Looking eastbound on Barham Ridge atop of Chutes Ridge.
Looking eastbound on Barham Ridge atop of Chutes Ridge.
Discussing attack strategy for the steep, rocky drop on the left.
Discussing attack strategy for the steep, rocky drop on the left.
From the view point, looking east at Chutes Ridgeline in the distance.
From the view point, looking east at Chutes Ridgeline in the distance.
Hawk's second drop is smaller, but tighter!
Hawk's second drop is smaller, but tighter!
Hawk's gnarly first rock drop!
Hawk's gnarly first rock drop!
Hawk's rock drop gives you two options down.
Hawk's rock drop gives you two options down.
Looking south from Grasshopper trail.
Looking south from Grasshopper trail.
Top of midpoint climb/plunge.
Top of midpoint climb/plunge.
Getting into the ultra-gnarls!
Getting into the ultra-gnarls!
Experts-only drop!
Experts-only drop!
Waterfalls section, gnarly, but rideable.
Waterfalls section, gnarly, but rideable.
Gnarly section of Goat.
Gnarly section of Goat.
The first of many technical features on Hawk.
The first of many technical features on Hawk.
Techy section of Grasshopper.
Techy section of Grasshopper.
Overcast at the top.
Overcast at the top.
Near the top of Chutes, descending...
Near the top of Chutes, descending...
Climbing one of the many tight switchbacks on Goat.
Climbing one of the many tight switchbacks on Goat.
One of many technical features on Hawk.
One of many technical features on Hawk.
Droping into Chutes Ridge from Barham.
Droping into Chutes Ridge from Barham.
One of the last banked switchbacks near the bottom of Cactus Canyon.
One of the last banked switchbacks near the bottom of Cactus Canyon.
Top of Chutes Ridgeline...more fun, moderately-technical stuff!
Top of Chutes Ridgeline...more fun, moderately-technical stuff!
Fun, somewhat-techy climb, Anaheim Hills trail.
Fun, somewhat-techy climb, Anaheim Hills trail.
Santiago Dam from Lookout Point
Santiago Dam from Lookout Point
Top of Deer Trail
Top of Deer Trail
Nice little technical bit of climbing on Anaheim Hills.
Nice little technical bit of climbing on Anaheim Hills.
The iconic dry creek bed crossing that marks the beginning of Chutes.
The iconic dry creek bed crossing that marks the beginning of Chutes.
Scary drop on Hawk!
Scary drop on Hawk!
Really fun huck-spot on Chutes Ridgeline!
Really fun huck-spot on Chutes Ridgeline!