Jurupa Jamboree

If you like a short hike with a side of adventure, try the Jurupa Hills North Trail in Martin Tudor Jurupa Hills Regional Park. The 2.5-mile out-and-back trail begins on a paved bike path. But after just 0.1 mile the real trail begins!

Keep your eyes open to your left for a dirt trail (it looks more like a steep wash created by rain and isn’t marked, so it’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention). Though the beginning looks questionable, it quickly becomes a more obvious trail as it twists and turns up the hillside. “Up” is the key word: Jurupa Hills North Trail climbs a massive 1,125 feet in elevation once it leaves the bike path as it heads towards the summit of Mount Jurupa (translation: it’ll feel like climbing stairs).

Before embarking on this hike, wait for a decent dry spell after rains. Wet weather makes the trail slick in spots, with loose gravel on top of gutted packed dirt. In other spots you’ll have to do some minor scrambling over rocks, so it’s a tad technical.

For most of the hike you’ll see Mount San Gorgonio, Southern California’s highest peak. The trail gains in elevation so quickly that it doesn’t take long to be above the city and access views normally seen only on much longer trails. As the trail climbs (and climbs and climbs…) you’ll get a huge vista of the San Bernardino Mountains and a panorama of the Inland Empire. Even if you go only part of the way up, there are lots of awesome spots along the trail to stop and enjoy a fresh perspective.

The Jurupa Hills North Trail is located in Martin Tudor Jurupa Hills Regional Park in Fontana. Location. Park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and has free parking. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Natalie Bates, @wanderwithnatalie