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Powder Canyon

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 3.7 (27)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Los Angeles
  4. Peter F Schabarum Regional County Park
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“Dirt road climbs, doubletrack descents, scenic, shaded switchbacks, and a web of hidden singletrack. ”

Dave Gregg
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6.7

Miles

10.8

KM

50%

Singletrack

1,334' 407 m

High

596' 182 m

Low

1,165' 355 m

Up

1,167' 356 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Also known as Schabarum Park, this complex of trails and dirt roads have a surprising amount of natural beauty. Though, like Turnbull Canyon, you may need to grow accustomed to the twin sets of high-capacity wire spanning the hills and gaps atop massive steel towers a quarter-mile apart.

The loop around the outside of the park is 6.7 miles. However, there are two other dirt roads and many hidden single-tracks within the loop that can be combined into many shapes for longer, more challenging rides.

Roughly, the northern half of the Powder Canyon trails are managed by Los Angeles County Parks and Rec, while the southern half is administered by the Puente Hills Habitat Authority.

Description

The first half of the 6.7 mile loop - the southern, climbing half - are 20-foot wide, packed-dirt roads, well maintained due to work on the power lines. Starting from the horse corral near old Fullerton Rd is Powder Canyon Rd, a very pleasant, mild climb with tree-coverage. The upper part of the climb*, Purple Sage Trail, is nasty. With no shade, 10-15% grades, and a boring road, you better bring your iPod.

*Make sure to turn left up the steep hill at the intersection of Powder Canyon Rd and Purple Sage Trail to get up to the radio towers.

Approaching the towers, there is a right-hand split, then a another one a few hundred yards later. Take the second right, a short connector to a wide dirt road that sweeps around the right side of radio tower hill. This leads to the first down, Schabarum Trail, a fast, hard-packed doubletrack with slightly banked, wide turns. There is some rutting to watch for, and there are a few intermediate steep sections that, for a beginner, may slow you down. There can be a lot of hikers on this trail, the fastest part of your downhill, so be very careful.

At the bottom, follow the flat trail around to the right, eventually cross a bridge, then pass horse stables. Stay right and climb back up Powder Canyon Rd from the opposite direction. In a half-mile look for a trail split up and to the left, Schabarum Trail Extension.

The north side of the loop features a gem of a trail, Schabarum Trail Extension. A two-way trail for the most part, it has fun features either way; a beautiful, tree-covered set of switchbacks, and a thrilling, mile-long descent just begging to be shredded... HARD. But first, you have to climb those switchbacks! Hopefully the shade of the trees helps. From the top, the downhill starts slow and stays pretty mild for a while. Then about half-way down it gets steeper and steeper until the final hill down to the street.

At the bottom, stay right and follow the sidewalks back to the starting point.

Contacts

Land Manager: Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority

Shared By:

Dave Gregg
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 27 votes

#1

in Peter F Schabarum Regional County Park

#1239

Overall
  3.7 from 27 votes
5 Star
15%
4 Star
44%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
7%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Peter F Schabarum Regi…

#187

in California

#1,239

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11,809 Since Apr 6, 2014
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Photos

Schabarum - Take a break, you deserve it.
Apr 8, 2021 near Rowland…, CA
Purple mountains majesty... A beautiful view of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Jun 12, 2014 near Rowland…, CA
Enjoy some shade on this approach to an easy switchback
Mar 28, 2014 near Rowland…, CA
The Puente Hills at Schabarum Park
Jun 6, 2015 near Rowland…, CA
Looking over Rowland Heights, a small singletrack leads down to Schabarum Trail in the distance.
Jun 12, 2014 near La Habr…, CA
Such a nice climb up the tree-covered switchbacks on Schabarum Extension
Jul 7, 2015 near Rowland…, CA

5 Comments

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Check-Ins

Mar 9, 2024
Kui Lim
May 26, 2023
Jeff L
singletrack on north facing slopes (skyline trail and schabarum extension trail) are overgrown. go off trail ~4.7 miles in, didn't finish 4.7mi — 2h 00m
Nov 20, 2022
Mark English
May 29, 2022
MTBr Of Socal
light scenic green. bring an XC bike and you're good to go
May 27, 2022
Alex Nubla
Feb 21, 2022
Jesus Flores
Nov 16, 2021
Josh Inboden
Jul 15, 2021
Carlos Escudero

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