Reviewed by: Bellman , from LagunaNuguel

Summary:
Mathis is a nice warm up trail that kicks off a great ride. Not sure if its an age thing, but doing a grind at the front end of a ride sets the tone for an enjoyable ride. I like to enter at the parking lot and make my way to the base of Mathis. Drop your cog to granny mode and grind for 15-20 minutes. Reach the top and turn left and head to the park benches at the Top of the World. A great view on a Santa Ana windswept day! Get your views in and head back down the Westridge trail to the top of Rock It (by the water tank). Down Rock It (be careful as I can speak from experience that the rock garden section can generate some pain if you have a lapse in concentration not too fast not too slow). At the base of Rock It, turn left on Coyote Run and ride to the main trail. Up the main trail and up to Cholla. 0.3 miles of very fun single track climbing. Its really busy so if you can clean the trail, wait for the right moment and attack. Also watch for people who are riding down the trail (not recommended as this is a main up trail). Once on top of Cholla, make a left and head along Westridge to the top of Mathis and enjoy the downhill. Watch the up hill riders. This is a busy trail and those coming up have the right of way. Be courteous and buy and use a bell. Alternate: Up Lynx instead of Cholla but I only recommend this path for experienced riders. Back out the main trail and your done. Its approximately a 14-mile ride.

Recommended Route:
Enter @ the Main Trail and Climb Mathis to the Westridge trail. Turn left and climb the balance of the hill to arrive at the "Top of The World" - Take a breath and head back down Westridge trail to Rock-It. Down "Rock It" turn left on Coyote Run and back to the main trail. Take Cholla or Lynx back up to Westridge - back to the top of Mathis and down to the main trail again.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Meadows (as an up or down route)

Reviewed by: Bea Loder , from Aliso

Summary:
Just climbed Mathis for the first time this season a couple of weeks ago and it looks nothing like it did before the winter rains. It's still steep and long, but much more technical in sections than last year. It actually looks like it would be fun to descend this one again since it doesn't resemble a 4 lane highway any more. Lots of people climbing this trail as well as hikers and small furry creatures, so check your speed and have fun!

Recommended Route:
Mix it up, lots of good stuff around here

Reviewed by: Kurt , from Tustin

Summary:
Fun trail, feels really good to clean this trail for the first time or anytime for that matter. Not to difficult, take your time and the granny gear will be your best friend. This trail keeps me stoked everytime.

Recommended Route:
from the park above cholla, up cholla, down Rock-it, coyote to Mathis, up Mathis, up to top of the world, over to meadows, down meadows, take fireroad back to start

Reviewed by: bretDEE , from long beach, CA

Summary:
this ride is good for the lungs and legs, luckily for us the last time we rode this was this past saturday and there was a HEAVY marine layer that kept us nice n cool, we didnt set any speed records climbing up Mathis, but thats not what concerns me, i was happy enough to clear it without heaving!!!! its pretty much all uphill with a couple small "flat" spots to regain your legs and lungs on....once at the top, head up some more to Top of the World, the climb isnt nearly as tough as Mathis, once at Top of the World, follow the street til it dead ends and jump on the singletrack on the right, follow that and you'll reach Meadows, a very fun downhill!!!

Recommended Route:
start at trail head next to the church, ride to the main trail, go up Dripping Cave, back to main trai, climb Mathis, then go up to Top of the World, over to Meadows, down Meadows back to main trail up to Cholla, up Cholla, climb a little more along the top to Rock-It, down rocket back to main trail and cruise back to your truck....we get 19 miles out of this ride

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Dripping Cave, Cholla, Rock-it, Meadows, Lynx....i know there are many others in this park, but those are the only ones i've rode...

Reviewed by: Mike , from Huntington Beach

Summary:
We ride Aliso Woods about 4 nights (I mean days);) a week. Great place for intermediate riding. Since El Nino, it has become a lot easier since they took a single blade dozer across it 3 times (the 3rd dozer was needed to get the first 2 out of the mud)This leveled the rock garden and all the technical areas.
still a fast downhill and a good leg pumping climb.

Recommended Route:
Climb Mathis, blast over to Rock-it and bomb it down to Coyote trail back to Mathis. One more climb up Mathis then back down. (we call this 2 loops)

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Any of the 4 hills are good. Thanks to all the riders for respecting the land and keeping it nice and clean!