Hiking Trail Guide: Santa Rosa Plateau Nature Preserve

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Santa Rosa Plateau Nature Preserve

Distance
6.5 miles

Elevation
500 feet gain

Difficulty
4/10

City
Murrieta ,CA (92563) 67.69 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
Take I-15 south from Corona, CA heading for San Diego. Shortly after passing the city of Lake Elsinore, exit at Clinton Keith road. Turn right and drive west. There are three trailheads, one at the Visitors Center, the Hidden Valley TH used on this hike, and a final TH near the Vernal Pools up on top of the mesa.

Description

This loop hike takes in much of the west end of the preserve. From the trailhead, take the left hand trail 1/4 mile, turn right on the Trans-Preserve trail. Stick with this trail until you reach the Vernal Pools trail. Turn left to the pools, the most crowded area on the preserve. Continue off the mesa about 1 mile to the historic ranch adobe, where you can picnic and relax under a huge Live Oak tree. From the adobe, take the Punta Mesa trail towards Monument Hill. Watch for the left branching trail just before the main trail; a dirt road, angles right. Take the left fork down off the hill to another dirt road and a stream crossing. When you arrive at a gate, look for the start of the Trans-Preserve trail, which you follow until you see your original path coming in from the right. Turnright to the trailhead.

Map / Directions: