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Check out Mary Tyo. Head east on the 60, turn south at the 215, exit Limonite and head east to Ridgeview. Drive right up to the locked gates and you will find a number to call for the combination. You will also find signs that say the area is patrolled by the Sheriff, and that any vehicle not connected to a horse trailer will be towed. This is an equestrian only trailhead. Please keep the gate locked at all times. For some reason winter hours are in effect now, only open 8 to 4 or 5. The fee is $5 per rig, doesn't matter if you have 1 horse or 6. If you decide you like the place you can buy an annual pass for $25. There is some graffiti around the trailhead, the rangers clean it and it's back the next day. You will find some trash as you head out, remnants from when the place was covered with it. This is an area in transition from a filthy trash strewn wasteland back into the equestrian jewel it once was. It was only this summer that the trails have started to look good again. Check out google maps to get an idea of the place. supposedly you can ride to Big Bear and Long Beach, I have gone as far up as the Van Buren bridge and as far down as the 215 freeway. The map shows it back when it was all dirt, now a picture would show a greener place, and the river has gone back to it's proper place and is no longer next to the trailhead. The trails aren't quite as groomed as they used to be but they are getting there. Only hikers and horses are allowed in the park. Dogs are supposed to be on a leash, but every so often I see some idiot down there with loose dogs. I have never had a problem, but I do carry pepper spray. There are not to many yahoos down there any more, one good thing about the recession is that a lot of want-to-be cowboys are gone. Most people out there are just trail riding, if they want to work their horse they go out on the sandbars. There is some noise pollution, but mostly it's pretty quiet, and now that the trees and bushes have started growing again you can see no sign of civilization on a lot of the trails. This is a river bottom area, just use common sense and stick to well used trails, there are plenty of them. There are pigs and coyotes in the park. Basically, this is a safe, flat, easy trail area, good for beginners and barefoot horses, within easy driving distance of most of So Cal. I have read the other reviews of Hidden Valley, but they are talking about the Norco side. Mary Tyo is so much easier to get to if you are coming from out of the area. For the next few weeks some arundo removal is going on, and you do not want to get near that, but most of the arundo is gone. If you get lost, you will notice that the power lines are near the trailhead and are visible from any open area. When leaving you might want to continue down Ridgeview, up the little hill, 2 stop signs, right to the light and back to the freeway. Turning left on Limonite can be difficult. |
