Reviewed by: BIG DOG , from MURRIETA

Summary:
IF YOUR NOT IN SHAPE WATCH OUT THE RIDE UP IS PRETTY STEEP. ON SOME OF THE UP HILL I HAD TO PACK THE BIKE UP, BUT THE RIDE DOWN WAS WORTH IT. ON THE WAY DOWN YOU WILL ENCOUNTER ALOT OF SWITCH BACKS, IT KEPT ME ON MY BRAKES ON THE WAY DOWN SO MAKE SURE THAT YOURS WORK!! BUT IN ALL THE VIEW WAS GREAT AND I HIGHLY RECOMEND IT.

Recommended Route:
START OFF AT SANTA ROSA AND JUST GO STRAIGHT UP. THE RIDE DOWN IS PRETTY TECHNICAL BUT FUN.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
THERE IS A BUNCH OF TRAILS IN THAT AREA JUST GO AND EXPLORE.

Reviewed by: Darryl Medley , from Murrieta, CA

Summary:
Directions: Exit the I-15 at Clinton Keith and go west. Follow the signs that say "Wildlife Viewing" and "Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve." You can pick up a trail map at the Visitor's Center.
The trail itself is both fun and challenging, with numerous steep, rocky, sandy sections. The trail ends with a real steep and sandy trail that goes down the ridge that forms the edge of the Temecula Valley. (Great view from the top though!) I have to walk about half of this part of the trail because of numerous sandy hair-pin turns. There are a number of trails at the bottom of the ridge. I recommend taking the short ride up either of the two trails or the road that go West up into Cole Canyon. At the end (about 1/2 mile) there is an Oak grove with fish-filled pools (part of Cole Creek). Take a close look at the big granite rocks in this area. Many have holes bored into them by Native Americans who camped here hundreds of years ago. To return to civilization, you either go back the way you came or you follow a trail that runs along the bottom of the ridge you came down to the housing tract where I live. The trail is kind of hard to see. It is just above and parallel to a dirt road that runs about half way out of the canyon. (Don't take the other roads that follow the creek unless you want to end up in Temecula.) The trail ends at a dead-end paved road. Take this road to the Stop sign at Calle Del Oso Oro (about 1/4 mile). Turn left and follow Calle Del Oso Oro Northwest until it ends at Clinton Keith (about 1 mile). Turn left onto Clinton Keith and take it back to where you parked (a steep, two mile climb). Bring lots of water! It's frequently over 100 deg. out here in the summer.

Recommended Route:
I'm writing this to correct the numerous errors in the posted review. I have lived at the base of the trail for 3 1/2 half years and have hiked & ridden it numerous times.