Hike #1575
Hacienda Hills Trails - Puente Hills
June 19, 2024

Hike Leader: Veronica Noguer

Meet at 8:30 am for start at 9:00 am.  Note later hike time.
The Rabbits will meet at a time to be determined.

Please print your own hike descriptions and maps. 

GPS Data:
Outside loop 5.1 miles RT and 830 ft.
North loop 4.9 miles RT and 830 ft.
South loop 2.9 miles RT and 830 ft.
Recommended comprehensive hike (loop plus out/back segment) up to about 7.0 miles, about 1250 ft.

Directions to Trailhead:
From the West Valley take the 101 south to the 5, then east on the 60 to 7th Avenue in Hacienda Heights.  Go South on 7th Avenue to Orange Grove Ave.  There is a small parking near this intersection.  If full you may park along Orange Grove Avenue.
From the South Bay come east on the 91 to the 605 then north on the 605 to the 60 then as above.
From north Orange County, take 57N, or Harbor Blvd/Fullerton Rd N, to the CA-60 W, exit at 7th Ave S at exit 14, and drive to corner of Orange Grove Ave and 7th Ave.

Note that the parking lot gate only opens at 9:00 am. Hence the later hike time.

The Hike:  You will travel through varied terrain, from canyon bottoms to high ridges. 

Outside Loop:  The outside loop goes up steeply 0.8 miles from the trailhead on the Ahwingna Trail to a junction with the Native Oak Trail.  Go right on the Native Oak Trail.  In 1.0 mile you will arrive at a junction with the Puma Trail.  Go right and continue on the Native Oak Trail 1.2 miles to the top of the ridge to the trail which is at present referred to as the Schabarum or the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail and formerly was known as the Skyline Trail.  Turn left here and go 0.6 miles to a junction with the Coyote Trail.  This is after you pass the Ahwingna Trail turnoff on the left, and keep your eyes open for the Coyote Trail sign a little ways in on your left.  Go left 1.5 miles back to the parking lot.

North Loop:  The north loop goes right at the Ahwingna - Native Oak Trail Junction 2.2 miles to the top of the ridge.  Turn left and in 0.5 miles you will reach the Ahwingna Trail.  Turn left and then go 1.3 miles back to the parking lot.

South Loop:  The south loop goes left at the Ahwingna - Native Oak Trail junction 0.5 miles up to the top of the ridge.  A left turn takes you in 0.1 miles to the Coyote Trail and then back to the parking lot.

Comprehensive Loop:  The comprehensive hike (loop plus out/back segment) follows the outside loop but adds the out/back segment along the Schabarum trail at the ridge and along the chain-link fence.  About 0.5 miles after you start on the Schabarum trail from the Native Oak Trail, and shortly before you reach the Ahwingna Trail on the left, there's a break in the chain-link fence and you will see the water tank (the Rose Hills Turnbull Canyon Water Tower), with lots of graffiti on it and surrounded by a chain link fence, on your right.  Head for this water tank by briefly going back along the fire road on the opposite side of the fence and then climbing the pathway to the tank.  From there you will see the trail to at least two hills (moderate elevation drop and gain).  Go to perhaps the second one of these to eat your lunch with an attractive panoramic view of the surroundings, and then return to the fence opening to continue along the rest of the outside loop.  This excursion adds perhaps about 1.6 more miles to your hike and some elevation gain.

There is a restroom at the trail head.

Google Earth photo - Hacienda Hills Trails - Puente Hills

Habitat Authority - Hacienda Hills Trailhead   This map includes the water tank in the lower left, but no specific trail around it.


Updated:  2024-06-12