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A true enduro ride with four thrilling downhills and four grueling climbs.


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Map Key

10.2

Miles

16.4

KM

80%

Singletrack

1,063' 324 m

High

499' 152 m

Low

1,663' 507 m

Up

1,662' 507 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

30%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Watch the OC Parks website for closures.

Overview

This may be the most fun you can have in 10 miles in all of Orange County. Jumps, berms, chunk, speed, technical, you name it. This is awesome.

Description

Parking is deliciously free at the Santiago Hills Park, and a short ride to the trailhead. This 4-stage Enduro ride has a steady build to awesomeness, which is part of what makes it so fun. It's most thrilling section is the final downhill. But let's not get ahead of ourselves...

You'll start out with a short road ride (obey traffic laws, watch out for pedestrians on the sidewalk, etc.). Then you'll enter the trail center on a short, flat, fire road. Make sure to hang a left onto the Roadrunner Loop singletrack, which will provide more excitement than the flat, straight fire road on your way to the bottom of Chutes climb.

Chutes climb is a switchback beast, and will definitely get you huffing and puffing. Just when you think you've reached the summit, you'll realize that you still have to climb to the top of Barham Ridge, which is a fairly steep fire road. By the time you reach the true summit, you've done the hardest and longest climb of the day, and you are rewarded with a nice downhill.

Deer Trail is a loop with tight switchbacks on the way down with some opportunities for speed and air, but don't get too comfortable because you'll be heading right back up at the bottom of the fun downhill and you'll need your wits about you to clear a few tight uphill switchbacks and chunky, technical, and punchy climbs.

Now perched at the top of Barham Ridge once again, you may take a quick breather and soak in the view. You won't have time to absorb that view later, because you are about to absolutely bomb the Barham Ridge downhill and roll right into Cactus Canyon for a thrilling, fast downhill with great berms and technical features that will send the wind through those helmet vents to cool you off.

At the bottom of Cactus Canyon is a sharp uphill turn that leaves you climbing the short Bumble Bee Trail towards Grasshopper Trail. The climb is a small price to pay for the short but thrilling Grasshopper Trail. In the first third of Grasshopper Trail is a steep, rocky descent and a cheater line that goes around it. Extra credit (and faster times) go to the brave who best that rocky drop. Otherwise, Grasshopper Trail should give you the opportunity to fly over some rocky bits at speed, but it doesn't last too long.

With a short traverse on a fire road (watch for horses - if you see them ride very slow, dismount to let them pass, or ride well behind them), you'll approach the bottom of your final climb of the ride, Mountain Goat Enhancement Trail. Be sure to stay off Mountain Goat downhill trail - it will be much harder to climb and you'll be going against traffic.

Mountain Goat Enhancement Trail is long and especially grueling at the end of this Enduro ride, but just keep in mind the reward you have waiting: the famed Chutes Ridgeline downhill, arguably the most exciting downhill of the day.

Chutes Ridgeline starts with a steep, rocky descent. If you've never ridden it, you may want to inspect your line choice, although if you get your hips back and stay right you should come out okay. What ensues is a ripping combination of berms and small jumps and a short uphill sprint on top of the ridge before dropping once again into a thrilling rollercoaster of berms, triples, fast descents, and fun.

By the time you reach the bottom, you'll have a hard time containing your joy with what can only be described as the most fun 10 miles in Orange County. Ride back to the parking lot the way you came, and good luck ever being satisfied again.

Contacts

Shared By:

Dalan Rohrer with improvements by Jeb Moore

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 18 votes

#682

Overall
  4.7 from 18 votes
5 Star
78%
4 Star
11%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#103

in California

#682

Overall
100 Views Last Month
12,067 Since Jun 13, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Total corner destruction. This kid has his cutties on lock!
Sep 15, 2016 near Villa Park, CA
Really fun huck-spot on Chutes Ridgeline!
Dec 20, 2017 near Villa Park, CA
The Log that lets you know you have found Chutes.
Jun 5, 2023 near Villa Park, CA
Entrance to Hawk
Oct 17, 2022 near Villa Park, CA
The iconic dry creek bed crossing that marks the beginning of Chutes.
May 27, 2014 near Villa Park, CA
All of the intermediate trails ant Santiago Oaks and Weir Canyon.
Dec 31, 2018 near Villa Park, CA

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