Southern California - Lower SART to middle SART

I have a few questions about getting to the middle SART from the lower.

First, is there some status page showing when this may be completed? Seems like there are half a dozen SART pages, but none that I saw have any real info other than showing the proposed path. I'll take that as a bad sign, and that it'll be many many years away.

Second, what is the best street route you guys have found, and how nice/safe is it? I didn't see much in the way of bike lanes, and just from google maps its hard for me to tell which streets are too busy for me to ride on.

Finally, is the middle SART nice? Worth the trip through the city streets (and back) to go up there?

You need to define "lower to middle". Where are you starting and where are you ending?:50:

What are you talking about? Inland Empire?

Be sure to watch out for morons in the Iron Man jerseys!

Sorry, what I meant was how to get from the lower to the upper SART. The middle incomplete portion is the specific section in question. Who rides it, what is the best route, is it safe/nice/annoying/etc?

The SART consists of 3 portions, lower, middle, and upper. They seem to currently be defined as:

Lower = Ocean to the golf course, basically everything in orange county.
Middle = random roads in riverside/corona, no trail yet. This will be finished at some unknown date and has been proposed for many years. Nobody seems to have info on this date.
Upper = hidden valley to waterman

It's now the SARTP, according to the official authority: http://www.santaanarivertrail.org/home.html

BTW, "upper" is a dirt trail and not a parkway like the paved portions.

BTW, "upper" is a dirt trail and not a parkway like the paved portions.

Oh, I had no idea. So the only paved portion is the lower 29 miles from the coast to the golf course? For some reason I thought the section from hidden valley to san bernadino was paved.

Oh, I had no idea. So the only paved portion is the lower 29 miles from the coast to the golf course? For some reason I thought the section from hidden valley to san bernadino was paved.
Nope, this describes the sections: http://www.santaanarivertrail.org/trail-user-guide/trail-info.html

Also, the new website contains incorrect information in their Trail Safety page. If they are including the USFS dirt portion in their rules, the "no camping" rule is incorrect because backpackers camp along that trail all of the time. In fact, it contradicts the information they have on the "Trail Info" page posted above.

http://www.santaanarivertrail.org/trail-user-guide/trail-safety.html

To answer your original question: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4099276

Oh, I had no idea. So the only paved portion is the lower 29 miles from the coast to the golf course? For some reason I thought the section from hidden valley to san bernadino was paved.

The section from hidden valley to san bernadino is paved, except for one exception. After entering the trail from Arlington, you can ride the paved trail for about a mile or so before hitting an unpaved section. This portion is only about 100 feet or so. There was/is suppose to be a bridge over this section, but the city ran out of money for it.

Unless there was a recent rain, the unpaved section usually has hard compacted dirt and can be ridden over, or you can go the safe route and walk over it.

After the unpaved section, the trail becomes a nice paved trail again all the way to its end in San Bernadino (Waterman St.).

It is a nice enough trail, not nearly as congested as the beach trail, but it does not have as nice of views. There are two parks along the trail to stop for water. The dog park has a water fountain, but no human bathroom. The other park has a bathroom and water fountain.

I found the lower Upper SART a nice ride from Hidden Valley upstream. There is actually a river there vs. the more traditional concrete channel. You can check out photos and such at traillink.com

<http://www.traillink.com/trail/santa-ana-river-trail-%28upper-portion%29.aspx>

The map there shows RR, water, parking, etc.

This would be a nice winter ride after the rains and before the smog can reform. The mountains should be out then. In summer it is BrainFry. Be sure to hit the dog park. It is something else. Have yet to see anything better in six western states.

If you want to ride thru Norco, better to be a horse. There are a lot of horse trails there.

The dog park has a water fountain, but no human bathroom. The other park has a bathroom and water fountain.
Just above the dog park after you go under the road is a short trail on the right that takes you to Fairmont park. It has public restrooms. It is a mup trail also. It's also a good place to have a lunch or take the kids (in the daytime).

http://www.santaanarivertrail.com/SART-about.php Try this link. It gives detailed mileages from each street that it intersects, brief descriptions, some photo's etc.

So, does anyone know what the timelines are, or plans to connect the two ?

So, does anyone know what the timelines are, or plans to connect the two ?
Connect which two? There are currently two gaps left to complete the whole project, one between Green River and Norco and the other between Waterman Ave in San Bernardino and where the dirt singletrack begins above Mentone.

The gap between Green River and Norco appears to be waiting for one or two right of way issues, as well as clearance from the Army Corps of Engineers in the Prado Dam area. The gap above Waterman should be complete to at least Alabama Ave next year and appears to be waiting for the City of Redlands to get started on a regional park above that.

http://www.santaanarivertrail.com/SART-about.php Try this link. It gives detailed mileages from each street that it intersects, brief descriptions, some photo's etc.
Another unofficial and incomplete FAIL website on the matter.

Of course that's opposed to the new official semi-FAIL website on the matter.

This is coming from a person that stated that the section in reference is not paved. Which it is. I know I've been on it. Apparently you have not. It may be unofficial & incomplete but in my opinion it gives more useful information than any other site I have seen. Does it matter that it is unofficial? Does it matter that it is incomplete? I think the only incomplete areas are the store & the forum. So what. The important info is there.
Why would you reply to a question about a section of the SART you have never seen or know anything about anyway? Yes I am still calling it the SART.

Connect which two? There are currently two gaps left to complete the whole project, one between Green River and Norco and the other between Waterman Ave in San Bernardino and where the dirt singletrack begins above Mentone.


Ok, for clarity I will no longer use upper/middle/lower terminology. The SART websites differ on what these are, and apparently it means different things to people on this board as well.

This whole thread was intended to be about the OC section connecting to green river to the paved section that starts at hidden valley nature preserve. In between these two sections is currently all city streets, and route suggestions and their safety was the reason behind the original posting. I see very few roads with bike lanes on the map in this area, even along the suggested routes. I've also seen very little in terms of first hand feedback on riding this area.

Maybe the point to take away from this lack of information on the topic is that its simply not worth cycling all the city streets to get between the 2 large paved sections of the SART.

I think it's worth riding between the two sections. The Norco roads are mostly lightly travelled. The section from Norco upstream also seems to less travelled than the OC section.

This is coming from a person that stated that the section in reference is not paved. Which it is. I know I've been on it. Apparently you have not. It may be unofficial & incomplete but in my opinion it gives more useful information than any other site I have seen. Does it matter that it is unofficial? Does it matter that it is incomplete? I think the only incomplete areas are the store & the forum. So what. The important info is there.
Why would you reply to a question about a section of the SART you have never seen or know anything about anyway? Yes I am still calling it the SART.
You're a riot.

Please quote me where I stated it wasn't paved, except the singletrack trail above Mentone.

Please tell us all what stock you have in the FAIL unofficial website(s). Your overreaction leads me to believe you are defending someone responsible for that particular FAIL.

Please tell us all how you have been able to track my every move for the past five years and know for a fact that I have not ridden on any yet to be officially opened sections of the parkway? Also, why would anyone in their right mind admit to riding an unofficial path or go so far as to endorse doing the same on a public forum?

The last time I checked, Phelan is in the High Desert and Anaheim is on the parkway in question.

From the beach going up the SART, there's a point where the SART seems to split at the Green River Golf Course. If I continue to go straight, I end up on Green River, a road that takes me up to a nice climb and then to some gas stations and fast food places.

But if I don't go straight and make a sharp left turn into what seems to be the Golf course entrance, its called the SART. I never took that route before. But from looking at Google Earth, it seems that the trail ends up being an unpaved road that takes me to the Prado Dam area.

From there, I can't very well navigate to what one might call "middle SART" and then to San Bernardino.

You're a riot.

Please quote me where I stated it wasn't paved, except the singletrack trail above Mentone.

Please tell us all what stock you have in the FAIL unofficial website(s). Your overreaction leads me to believe you are defending someone responsible for that particular FAIL.

Please tell us all how you have been able to track my every move for the past five years and know for a fact that I have not ridden on any yet to be officially opened sections of the parkway? Also, why would anyone in their right mind admit to riding an unofficial path or go so far as to endorse doing the same on a public forum?

The last time I checked, Phelan is in the High Desert and Anaheim is on the parkway in question.

Originally Posted by jmX http://www.bikeforums.net/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=11609732#post11609732) Oh, I had no idea. So the only paved portion is the lower 29 miles from the coast to the golf course? For some reason I thought the section from hidden valley to san bernadino was paved."

Your answer was


Nope, this describes the sections: http://www.santaanarivertrail.org/trail-user-guide/trail-info.html
I haven't always lived in Phelan. I have ridden the section that goes from hidden valley to Waterman. I have seen in other posts (when someone else shows beyond doubt a quote you claim you never said) the amount of intelligence you use while posting so I realize my answering is probably useless so I see no reason to continue this debate.

Nice job of the 'ol soft shoe there friend.

There is no e-gument because your FAIL does not have a leg to stand on.

Too bad I'm not an illiterate, then you could further your attempt to insult my intelligence.

Nice job of the 'ol soft shoe there friend.

There is no e-gument because your FAIL does not have a leg to stand on.

Too bad I'm not an illiterate, then you could further your attempt to insult my intelligence.

Still quite the d-bag. Nice to know that some things never change.

Still quite the d-bag. Nice to know that some things never change.

well done

Well, to answer the OP's question, here's the route I ride through Norco/ Corona. The Corona portion is nice, but Norco folks don't seem to care for cyclists at all, so watch the traffic.

From the trail, take Green River to Palisades. There was a detour around Green River using Palisades this past weekend.

Left on Railroad

Left on North Lincoln

Left on River Road

Right on Corydon

Continue until it changes to Norco Dr

Continue until it changes to Sixth St

Left on California Ave

Right on North Dr.

I've never ridden the SART from Hidden Valley to Riverside, but it looks like you turn left on Pedley Substation Rd and that will take you right to the SART.

The SART is complete from Tyler St in Riverside to Waterman for sure. It's not scenic by any stretch IMO. I'd personally stop in Norco at one of the gas stations on Sixth at the 15 for food and water if you need it and also at the dog park in Riverside for water. After the dog park, I don't recall many places to stop; it's mainly residential.

The Corona portion is nice, but Norco folks don't seem to care for cyclists at all, so watch the traffic.
Horseheads traditionally don't seem to like bicyclists. If you were on a junkly davidson, it would be a different story.

Well, to answer the OP's question,

Thanks mister. I'll give this a try.

Horseheads traditionally don't seem to like bicyclists. If you were on a junkly davidson, it would be a different story.
It appears that you don't care for "horseheads" either. Or people that ride Harleys.

nice try

keep the hits coming

This is slightly OT since it refers to what is (maybe?) called Upper SART (or Upper SARTP), but is that the off-road trail that has it's lower end in Mentone and it's Upper End connecting to HWY 38 just above Angelus Oaks?

I've been temped to ride that on my mountain bike (which is a hard-tail), but haven't tried it yet. Has anyone here ridden that bit and if so, how was it (trail conditions wise, i.e. is full-suspension recommended) and how long is it?

Rick / OCRR

This is slightly OT since it refers to what is (maybe?) called Upper SART (or Upper SARTP), but is that the off-road trail that has it's lower end in Mentone and it's Upper End connecting to HWY 38 just above Angelus Oaks?


Yes


I've been temped to ride that on my mountain bike (which is a hard-tail), but haven't tried it yet. Has anyone here ridden that bit and if so, how was it (trail conditions wise, i.e. is full-suspension recommended) and how long is it?

Rick / OCRR

I've never ridden it. Not sure I'd go alone on that one. STR (SoCalTrailriders) is a good local resource.
SoCalTrailriders (http://www.socaltrailriders.org)

A report there from three days ago
"Conditions up there were great.......all the way up to 7 Oaks.....couple of water crossings still......couple of downed trees on the Post Office Loop, and a couple on the the climb before you get to Glass Road. Otherwise the trail was great.....breeze was blowing today, no bugs....cool enough that I wore armwarmers the whole ride...but never got cold.....was warm in the sunlight, cool in the shade. "

Here's a 24.5 mile route
Geoladders SART Route (http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=151)

Geoladders is a good local source for trails, not much as a forum, though - STR for that.

Thanks for all the good information Rumpled, very much appreciated. Now I want to ride this trail more than ever!

Rick / OCRR

Egoladders is funny, almost as funny as the other suggested website.

To answer Rick's question about the viability of a hardtail on the SART singletrack, it's a better tool for the job than FS. My best ride out and back from Angelus Oaks to South Fork was on a 34x17 rigid singlespeed. It's mostly an a-technical bench cut.

To answer Rick's question about the viability of a hardtail on the SART singletrack, it's a better tool for the job than FS.

Thanks Crit,

Looking forward to trying this trail soon. My bike is old and unsophisticated (GT Zaskar with SID fork), but it should work for this type of trail.

Rick / OCRR

Patricia Lock-Dawson, Director of the Santa Ana River Trail and Parkway Partnership quoted 10/02/2010:

Santa Ana River bike trail project, scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Looking forward to trying this trail soon. My bike is old and unsophisticated (GT Zaskar with SID fork), but it should work for this type of trail.
Contrary to the other sites mentioned, check this page and the video at the bottom of it for more than just a few pics, maps and misguided verbiage: LINK (http://www.mountainbikebill.com/sart.htm)

Well, to answer the OP's question, here's the route I ride through Norco/ Corona. The Corona portion is nice, but Norco folks don't seem to care for cyclists at all, so watch the traffic.

From the trail, take Green River to Palisades. There was a detour around Green River using Palisades this past weekend.

Left on Railroad

Left on North Lincoln

Left on River Road

Right on Corydon

Continue until it changes to Norco Dr

Continue until it changes to Sixth St

Left on California Ave

Right on North Dr.



This is close to what I ride now on a regular basis since I now work in Redlands and live in Anaheim.

I ride Palisades, Serfas Club Dr becomes Auto Center Dr becomes Railroad St Left on Smith left on Rincon becomes Corydon becomes Norco Dr becomes Sixth St Left on Crestview right on Arlington the Left into the SART entrance. The dirt section is not a problem and I take it all the way to Waterman.

I did it last night in complete darkness and only saw 3 people the whole time on the Riverside section, saw some skunks and a pack of wolves. I felt safe but then again I travel at 20-24mph. A good light helps.

Contrary to the other sites mentioned, check this page and the video at the bottom of it for more than just a few pics, maps and misguided verbiage: LINK (http://www.mountainbikebill.com/sart.htm)

+1
MBB is an excellent source

In the vid at the bottom of MBB's SART page, check the bench-cut's exposure out of the blind left turn around 10:04-10:06. There is a lot of near-vertical exposure on the section between South Fork and Glass Road.

Jon, that's a hefty commute. Are you sure it was wolves?

Jon, that's a hefty commute. Are you sure it was wolves?

Hefty commute for sure, I am lucky enough to carpool every day and I throw my bike in the trunk for rides home. Yes, definitely wolves, there were a bunch of them at the far south end just before the Arlington exit. Since I'm all dialed in I will be riding home from work 2-3 time a week. Riding in was a pain, getting up at 3am sucks.

Yes, definitely wolves, there were a bunch of them at the far south end just before the Arlington exit.


Really? Unless you're going by a rescue center I don't know about - it's either loose dogs or coyotes. They have been extirpated from CA since at least '37, but more likely '24.

Really? Unless you're going by a rescue center I don't know about - it's either loose dogs or coyotes. They have been extirpated from CA since at least '37, but more likely '24.

They might have been werewolves. I think I should load silver slugs in my nine tomorrow night.

Wise move!