Southern California - Good Fire Road Rides/Easy Single Track in Orange County

Going mtb'ing next Saturday with a buddy who lives in South OC. Only his second mtb ride and the thought was we'd stay pretty much on fire roads and non-technical single track. He's a fellow roadie so we want to do some climbing, even steep climbing, just nothing too technical. If we could do 15-20 miles or so with say 1-2K of climbing that would be great. Even longer with more climbing is OK.
Any ideas for routes?

There is a fireroad at the top of the mountain range where the Holy Jim trail leads. The Holy Jim trail is a steep fireroad with often loose dirt, so it doesn't seem to meet your description. (It's not too bad, but I wouldn't call it "non-technical" I am told that this fireroad leads to Ortega Highway - it gets up to a decent elevation, so it'll be a good climb.

Unfortunately, I can't give better directions, but google is your friend!

Is this NRRider from Northridge? If so, "hi".

Yes Jim that's me. Hi to you too. Hope you're doing well. Been a while.

There is a fireroad at the top of the mountain range where the Holy Jim trail leads. The Holy Jim trail is a steep fireroad with often loose dirt, so it doesn't seem to meet your description. (It's not too bad, but I wouldn't call it "non-technical" I am told that this fireroad leads to Ortega Highway - it gets up to a decent elevation, so it'll be a good climb.

Unfortunately, I can't give better directions, but google is your friend!


Having a tough time finding the fire road directions. Can find Holy Jim, but that seems like it'll be more than we want in terms of climbing. Though I'm sure Thomson can handle it.:thumb:

The Holy Jim Trail is a hiking trail that comes out of Trabuco Canyon - definately a foot trail, not a MTB trail. However, its upper half connects with the Main Divide Truck Trail, a fire road that leads up to Santiago Peak.

Note that most of the fireroads/"trails" come out of local canyons on either side of the Santa Ana Mtns and connect with the Main Divide Truck Trail.

There are a few fireroads that would make good, easy biking - the Maple Springs Truck Trail goes out of Silverado Canyon, eventually meets the Main Divide, and from here you can go up to Mojeska Peak/Santiago Peak fr a gret view. About 4000 ft elevation over 12 miles (one way mileage)

Out of Mojeska Canyon you can go up the Harding Truck Trail. It intersects the Maple Springs Trail, then the Main Divide Trail, just below Mojeska Peak. About the same elevation/distance to the peak as the Maple Springs Truck Trail.

One I've never done is the Main Divide Truck Trail that traverses the Santa Ana Mtns crest from Ortega Highway northward for 35 miles to Coal Canyon/91 Fwy. South end starts behind the El Cariso Campground off of Ortega Hwy and goes north to Sierra Peak just outside of Corona, then drops down to Coal Canyon/91 fwy. Most scenic area is ut of El Cariso - trees, shade, etc - but eventually goes into open ridgeline country. Go all the way to Coal Canyon, or just part way; bring a pair of light hiking shoes and you can scramble up some of the peaks just off the trail. This trail also get a lot of off-road mtorcycles during the cooler winter months, so be careful.

South end of the Santa Anas (south of ORtega Highway) I'm not too familiar with, not the eastern side in he Corona/Elsinore area.

NOTE: Most of the trails in the Santa Ana Mtns are closed from early summer until the first good fall rainstorm due to its high fire danger. Check with the Cleveland Natl Forest office, or one of the local ranger stations, before heading up there, as fine$ are steep. However, the place is a great wintertime hiking/MTB/trail running area!

The Holy Jim Trail is a hiking trail that comes out of Trabuco Canyon - definately a foot trail, not a MTB trail. However, its upper half connects with the Main Divide Truck Trail, a fire road that leads up to Santiago Peak.


It's not that bad - I've done it, and since I switched to road a few years ago, I wouldn't consider myself much of a mountain biker anymore. (about 100 miles since on the MTB.) We were passed by several other riders while making the climb.

Thanks for the info on the fireroad, though - I may try that Ortega-91 fwy ride sometime.

NOTE: Most of the trails in the Santa Ana Mtns are closed from early summer until the first good fall rainstorm due to its high fire danger. Check with the Cleveland Natl Forest office, or one of the local ranger stations, before heading up there, as fine$ are steep. However, the place is a great wintertime hiking/MTB/trail running area!

Was getting pretty enthusiastic until I read this part. I'll check, and thanks a lot for your great suggestions!