A very nice trail, decent incline gains but nothing too crazy. This trail is great for beginners,…read moreand for more advanced hikers when you get to 4 corners you can take the trail up to Sitton Peak to make for a more challenging hike. The parking area for the trail is pretty big, and has a restroom and trash bins. Map directions to Ortega Oaks Candy shop & the parking area for Bear Canyon Trail will be right across the street. Don't forget to display your adventure pass. The start of the trail out to 4 corners is a little over 3 miles depending on what split you take around mile 2.

I was here on Saturday, May 13, 2023. I hiked Sitton Peak. I arrived at the parking lot at 6:30am…read more There were a few cars in the parking lot already but there were still empty spaces. The parking lot is easy to get to. There's restrooms in the parking lot. The adventure pass is required. This is an easy hike except the last .4 of a mile closer to the peak. It's really steep. Be careful. Trekking poles are helpful coming down in that section of the hike. There were several other people in the trail today. There was a group of kids who I think were boys scouts. There are a lot of bugs and I recommend you bring insect repellent. Overall, it was an awesome hike. Happy hiking! The 74 highway is under construction. I recommend you check the 74 Ortega Highway Widening website for future closures. They occasionally have 55hr full highway closures on the weekends. It's anticipated to be completed by Spring 2025.

First of all, a score of 4.25 stars is the rating for this trailhead. Open trails that lead into…read morethe hillsides of the Murrieta CA area that's also interconnected to the Cleveland national forest. Currently, in June, its dry - no streams. Trails are twisty, rugged, steep downhill and uphill . Some trails are loose gravel and weak soil- careful, one can easily loose footing. Pathways are filled with brush and can mildy be abrasive. Steep hills and rock climbing over large boulders will be part of the hike. Once on the upper trails, its a roller coaster ride of fast trails.. There are 3 main trails - lower os the Cole trail - main trail is the wiashal trail and the surrounding trail is big rock scramble. The main trail would be the wiashal trail and cris crosses the entire range. Initial trail of Cole is around 2 miles... including the big rock scramble would be another 2 1.5 miles and the wiashal trail is around 4 miles or more. On a good walk jog run bike or horse ride - from 2.5 miles to 10 miles can be expected- depending on your skill level. This path is easy moderate and difficult. Parking can be accessible via street parking via Cole canyon entry or wiashal entry or by Clinton Keith road - only thing missing... signs - markers- maybe a bench or two ..a water fountain at the entrance or a map... all those would have given it a better score...

This trail is terrible…read more Horrible access for my mobility scooter to start. You had to walk so far from the car to get to the trail head. There were kids riding scooters and bikes which I thought was dangerous. We came across a rattle snake in the middle of the trail. It was evening so luckily my wife had a camel pack on full of juice and a head lamp to we caught the stupid snake before it could harm us. I will never return

I'm really only familiar with the very northern portion, near Lake Elsinore, but apparently,…read moreCleveland National Forest has separate sections in northeastern and eastern San Diego County as well. When I was a kid, we used to go to Mammoth Lakes every summer. It was there, in the eastern Sierra Nevada, that I got very familiar with National Forest signs and their iconic style. As I grew older, I started to notice National Forest signs in Southern California as well, but whereas Inyo and Sequoia National Forests were or at least contained actual forests, Angeles National Forest seemed to be mostly mountains with trees scattered about. Shouldn't a National Forest be breathtakingly or at least in-your-facingly foresty? Well, Cleveland National Forest is breathtakingly foresty, but maybe not quite in-your-facingly. And that's fine. The northern portion is tantalizingly close to most of suburban Orange County, but it can feel like another part of California, if not a completely different state. I've probably spent the most time in Silverado and Trabuco Canyon, which are on the western side of the ridge, but it's also fun to drive on the 74 all the way from Lake Elsinore to its interchange with the 5 in San Juan Capistrano. It's definitely a mountainous drive with at least one very serious hairpin turn, so plan accordingly, but it also feels fast, like the quickest way to get from the bland Inland Empire to the glitzy end of Orange County. That trip on the 74 was also the first place outside of the Sierra Nevadas in California that I had seen road reflectors embedded below grade into the asphalt so that snowplows wouldn't damage them. Seriously, there are snowplows in Orange County. Who would have thought that existed as a normal thing? It's a National Forest. Feel free to enjoy it, but pay for what you're supposed to pay for, take all your trash with you when you leave, and don't be a jerk driver on the scary windy roads. Hiking can be gorgeous, but remember that this also prime habitat for rattlesnakes, mountain lions, bears, and coyotes. Again, plan accordingly, and maybe leave your pets and very small children at home.

Cleveland National Forest is a stunning escape with beautiful trails, peaceful views, and plenty of…read moreadventure. Perfect for hiking, photography, or just relaxing in nature. The sunsets are unforgettable, can't wait to visit again!

This was grueling. First, let me say that I had my left hip replaced 2 1/2 months ago, so I'm not…read moreat 100%. But my hiking partner is fit and even she was hurting on our way back. AllTrails says the trail is 9.1 miles but we tracked it at just shy of 10 miles. It was a 5.5 hour journey. We started early, 7:30am, and it wasn't a hot day. The lower part of the trail leading to the falls is pleasant. Some parts shaded, some not, and a couple streams to cross over. Your hike gets a bit harder while going up the hill. It's not too bad because it's not a direct ascension, but it's still a little tough. Once at the falls you're relieved that you're finally there but left a bit deflated by the fact that the falls aren't really that big. Being bilingual I should have known, as the word "chiquito" means small in Spanish, but we were nonetheless happy that we had made it that far. After having some snacks, and taking the obligatory 57 pictures and videos, we headed back. The hike down was a long one considering you just did a 2.5 to 3 hour hike to get to the falls. Around every bin, we were hoping we'd recognize the initial trail that lead us in. We weren't confused, the trails are decently marked, we were just in a state of delusion from being so dang tired. We finally made it back and lived to hike another trail. All in all, the exercise was worth it; the waterfall not so much.

This hike is alright. I'd put it as a moderately strenuous hike (more strenuous than not). When you…read morestart, there's a fall area that has some water - that was the most water we saw though. The trails are marked relatively well, and there are some decent-sized boulders on the trail. Some parts have very little shade, and some parts are a little narrow, but overall it's not too bad. Quite a bit of elevation so just make sure to take rests! I would check the weather before going to see if you even have a chance at seeing the waterfall before heading out. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chiquito-falls-trail-lake-elsinore?select=gyJRQFsCz0nyDNOIlCaR9Q&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chiquito-falls-trail-lake-elsinore?select=3OULdotRo8RR28QTU7b3nQ&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chiquito-falls-trail-lake-elsinore?select=wEbk5FsQAmpIXb7yzTAJNg&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg

Had a sweet time here with hubby on Valentines day after a brisk hike. It was surprisingly…read morepeaceful. I say this because its location is near a somewhat busy street and mini plaza. It's small and clean with a decent size green space. There are bathroom facicilities and a covered play area for the littles.

I would rate this park a 3.5 to 3.9 it's easy to get to. Good parking, just careful not to stay…read moreafter dusk, will lock your car in. Very large open field. Great jungle gym for the kids, its large clean and canopy covered. A few lunch tables , clean bathroom facilities, and the landscape seem to be well maintained. Negative will be the lack of shade in the main field. Positive, towards the south, there is a dirt road that travels to the railroad canyon and ends by canyon lake dam. Careful this rd is an access path and may be city private property But the run was sure fun! The round trip is 4 miles.

I did a 5-7/8 climb with my sister's boyfriend Tom Downey and another very experienced climber in…read more1969. The footwear was very different then and we were the only climbers that whole day. Tom was a very experience climber sponsored by Sears and was the first to do a particular climb on El Capitan. I realized now how lucky I was to do that one and only climb with no crowds. I then endured the Riverside freeway on my way back to San Diego where I was stationed in the Navy.

Fun and easy (to get to) slab climbing out by Lake Perris. Keep in mind, many of the routes are…read moreNOT SPORT BOLTED. Take the appropriately names Crater Maker. 3 bolts for 100-ish feet, and the top half of the route has no pro. Now, the top 1/2 is easier than the bottom half, but it is run out. If you are a leader at that grade, the run out is very heady. A fall from near the top has serious decking potential. If you are comfortable at the grade, the top is easy, so just keep that in mind. Other routes are more generously bolted, and some do dip into true sport bolted routes. There are also some trad routes and several multipitch options. It us mainly low angle friction slab climbing, so don't expect a gym-like experience, or even climbing like in Holcomb or New Jack. The area has been rebolted, so if you run into the guy who rebolted the area, buy a guide sheet from him to pay for all the material that went into the effort.

Went for an early morning walk at the fitness trail, nicely paved walkways and shaded by many…read moretrees. There are even benches intermittently to sit and rest. The map on All Trails was not accurate to the map that was posted at each trail entrance which was odd, so we got stomped a few times. All in all, a nice neighborhood and friendly neighbors, lots of dogs being walked through and stunning views. Many inclines, a dried up wash and a lot of walking along the streets and the backs of people's properties. Started at Copper Canyon, made our way to Bear Valley and then back around again.

This is a nice little park for walking. You see the same faces every time. New moms with strollers,…read moreexpecting moms, daily walkers and people out with their dogs. The view is beautiful and there are nice benches to rest while taking it all in. There are no bathrooms or play structures only a little field walking path.

This place is an awesome look out point. You can see over the lake and watch the cars and…read moremotorcycles Cruze around the turns. Awesome pictures and a great breeze... It comes up a bit sudden on the rode off the 74, you can park and watch or get out and walk up the little hill... Did I mention the pictures... Sunset, lake, mountains... It's a nice quite place to go and think...

Main Divide Road is probably a crappy hike. Very little shade, hot, and full of bugs as the other…read moreperson noted. I chose to drive this piece and what a drive it was. There are several great lookout points with Elsinore and inland mountains off to the east and OC to the west. I went on a particularly clear day and could see all the way out to the Pacific. If you are in a 4x4 there are side trails along the way that present a good challenge. There are some sketchy parts with good drop-offs to your side. Most SUVs or trucks could drive the trail with no problem. If wet you will def want 4wd. Other posts do a good job of describing how to get here so I wont bother. Unfortunately my camera died so I couldn't get any good shots, but the scenery was amazing. Its about a 2hr drive if you do the whole thing, I would recommend to anyone looking for some off the beaten path adventure and killer scenery.