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South Hills Park (Glendora) Mountain Bike Ride

Type

 

Fire-road, single-track and paved road

Miles

 

4.51

Elevation Gain

 

689’ per GPS

Starting/Max Elevation

 

844’ / 1167’ per GPS

Starting Coordinates

 

34 07.176’ N, 117 51.867’ W

This short loop is a mix of fire road and single track in the South Hills area just North of the 210 freeway as it passes through Glendora. The single track is not particularly technical and the fire road is rolling rather than relentless climbs that typify rides in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Getting there

From the 210 freeway exit on Grand and go South to W Dawson Ave. Go East towards Glendora Avenue and park in this area. Google directions to start

 

The Ride

South-Hills-TN1This ride starts by entering the South Hills Park from Glendora Avenue just North of the 210 freeway through a small opening in the chain linked fence (0.0 miles) leading onto the South Hills road. Climb the paved road which soon turns into a dirt fire-road.

At mile 0.41 take the left turn to the Walnut trail, passing to the left of the square water tower. Upon reaching the end of the water tower the path turns into a single track. Although this starts downhill stay in a low gear; you’ll soon need it for the short climb out. Alternatively, if the single track is not ride-able (as was the case last time I visited), stay on the fire road.

South-Hills-TN2At the next fork in the single track (0.8 miles) go right to rejoin the fire road that we left at the water tower. Go left on the fire road.

At 1.4 miles you pass a turn off to the right (dead-end service road for the power line). Bear left at 1.6 miles and descend into the residential area. You will come out at what appears to be someone’s private drive – I gingerly passed through here but did not see any signs warning of trespassing or private road. Shortly beyond is a small street to the right. Take this to Big Dalton Wash and turn left at 2.14 miles to follow the drain.

South-Hills-TN3After crossing a street, at 2.32 miles pass through the fence opening by the sign marking the Big Dalton Wash Trail. This short but fun single track section is arguably the best part of the ride and brings you out at the South Hills city park, where you will find Toyon trail starting on the left at 2.7 miles after passing a childrens play area on the right.

At 2.76 miles the single track forks with a choice between ascending via the Toyon or Wild Iris trail. For this trace I went right to use Wild Iris. Staying with this path (left at 2.81 miles, left at 2.84 miles, left at 2.93 and right at 2.96 miles) will put you out on the fire road we started on. Cross this and turn right, followed at 3.05 miles by a turn to the left onto a paved road. Alternatively you could continue a little further and go left onto Bonnie Cove West - another single track. Both routes bring you down to Bonnie Cove Avenue.

To return to the start go South on Bonnie Cove to Gladstone and turn right. Turn right where Gladstone meets Glendora Ave

Ride log

Last Ridden

Condition

Pedal Time

Elapsed Time

Jun 7th, 08

Good with exception of single track section. This has been a ‘great’ year for wildflowers and weeds - and unfortunately the single track sections in this area have not all been cleared. The fire roads were however in excellent condition

48 minutes

1 hour

Sep 26th, 07

Excellent

51 minutes

1 hour 5 minutes

Links

[Directions to start]

[Map in pdf (240 KB)]

[GPS Trace (waypoint every quarter mile)]

[GPS Trace (all waypoints)]

[Topo file (.tpo)]

 

 

 

South-Hills-Map

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/topo

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Site Last Modified: Tuesday, March 10, 2009