2.6 hr
Overview
This ride combines the Raptor Ridge and Faultline Trails for a 3 mile flowy singletrack descent through beautiful rolling hills to Aliso Canyon. <br> <br>Ride up to Raptor Ridge on Telegraph Road - this part is a pretty easy gradual climb up a winding sandy, gravel road. Take a break at the top of Telegraph under the shed roof; check the map up there, and then get going. Raptor Ridge trail is the singletrack to the east. It is narrow and can be overgrown but the next 3 miles on it are mostly downhill, smooth flow over hilly pasture land. <br><br>At the bottom of the hills, pass a ranger station (or stop in), then look for a marked, gated right onto doubletrack. This 3 mile return is payment for that super fun flow trail. South Ridge: doubletrack, steep at times, exposed to the sun. Bring water and be sure to drink it. Take the first right (marked "Telegraph") but not the second one (also marked "Telegraph"), and you'll be back at the top of Telegraph. <br><br>Alternative return: pass the ranger station, take the first right onto Telegraph Canyon trail. Either way, it's a climb back to Four Corners.<br><br>There is very little shade so bring water. Wildlife a-plenty.
Trail Stats
9.2 km
213 m
417 m
220 m
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Photos
Signage at Rolling M Ranch.
Signage at Rolling M Ranch.
Towers stand in the distance along the South Ridge Trail.
Towers stand in the distance along the South Ridge Trail.
Stay left, and prepare for a hard-left, across the bridge, just before the bottom of the hill.
Stay left, and prepare for a hard-left, across the bridge, just before the bottom of the hill.
At the turn onto South Ridge to climb back to Four Corners
At the turn onto South Ridge to climb back to Four Corners
Is this a coyote home? Leave a comment below.
Is this a coyote home? Leave a comment below.
Shot from South Ridge (before the fork back to 4 corners). Looking at the Ranger Station/ campground. Nice day for riding!
Shot from South Ridge (before the fork back to 4 corners). Looking at the Ranger Station/ campground. Nice day for riding!
Left here, for the brutal climb up Southridge to the highest peak in the park; San Juan Hill.
Left here, for the brutal climb up Southridge to the highest peak in the park; San Juan Hill.
Poppy flowers are soon to bloom in Chino Hills State Park in early March.
Poppy flowers are soon to bloom in Chino Hills State Park in early March.
Fun and flowy Raptor Ridge!
Fun and flowy Raptor Ridge!
Orange poppies bed down for the night along the South Ridge Trail.
Orange poppies bed down for the night along the South Ridge Trail.
A windmill stands guard along the South Ridge Trail.
A windmill stands guard along the South Ridge Trail.
Turning right at the first fork, marked "Telegraph".
Turning right at the first fork, marked "Telegraph".
Some parts of the South Ridge Trail have dense undergrowth right up to the trail.
Some parts of the South Ridge Trail have dense undergrowth right up to the trail.
Taken from South Ridge, looking at the Telegraph Road climb back to 4 Corners and the ending of Raptor Ridge.
Taken from South Ridge, looking at the Telegraph Road climb back to 4 Corners and the ending of Raptor Ridge.
Brother Coyote.
Brother Coyote.
At least if you fall along the South Ridge Trail, it will be into soft green plants!
At least if you fall along the South Ridge Trail, it will be into soft green plants!
Lovely yellow flowers pepper the fields alongside the South Ridge Trail.
Lovely yellow flowers pepper the fields alongside the South Ridge Trail.
The sun sets over Chino Hills State Park and the South Ridge Trail.
The sun sets over Chino Hills State Park and the South Ridge Trail.
Narrow singletrack
Narrow singletrack
RIding partner disappearing into the distance at the start of Raptor Ridge
RIding partner disappearing into the distance at the start of Raptor Ridge
Ready to rock... Raptor on my Ripley.
Ready to rock... Raptor on my Ripley.
Steve F. attempting the gnarly-bit on my vintage cruiser
Steve F. attempting the gnarly-bit on my vintage cruiser
About halfway along the flowy ridge
About halfway along the flowy ridge
Lupine grow in abundance atop South Ridge.
Lupine grow in abundance atop South Ridge.
The blooms are finally here! Yet, all the poppy flowers were closed.
The blooms are finally here! Yet, all the poppy flowers were closed.
A full moon climbs above the ridgeline along the South Ridge Trail.
A full moon climbs above the ridgeline along the South Ridge Trail.
The sun sets over the day's final scene in Chino Hills State Park.
The sun sets over the day's final scene in Chino Hills State Park.
A purple bell blossoms along the South Ridge Trail.
A purple bell blossoms along the South Ridge Trail.
The last glimmer of light streaks across the sky along the South Ridge Trail.
The last glimmer of light streaks across the sky along the South Ridge Trail.
Lui V. 'Rip'–ing Raptor's rock garden!
Lui V. 'Rip'–ing Raptor's rock garden!
Faultline, baby!
Faultline, baby!