Santa Rosa Plateau - #SantaRosaPlateau

Socal - Riverside County - Murrieta NickNames: #SantaRosaPlateau 'the plateau'

Exit Clinton Keith off the 15 Freeway-go west toward the Ortega Mountains. Continue west on Clinton Keith for about 5 miles. You will see the Santa Rosa Ecological Preserve on the left hand side of the road as you make your way up to the trail head. Clinton Keith will bend sharply to the right and begin to head west--keep going about 1/2 mile until you see two trail heads--one on the left hand side (Southside Trail head for Hikers) and right hand side (Northside trail for bikers).

24 Review(s)19 Photo(s)Login

• Trail UpdateTavioshi (sp?) Trail?-Rode this loop yesterday with my 8 yr old son. Spoke with Ranger at trailhead before departing & he told me some conservationists from UCLA came out last week & cleaned up the front part of the trail.

  Having never been here before I couldn't tell you of the improvements, but the trail seemed cleaned and well defined to me.

  Park at Toviashi(sp?) trail head (between 4-5mi off freeway). The ride around the small loop is listed at .7mi one way & .8mi the other, so all in all from your car all the way around the small loop would be 2mi.

  We went slow & stopped more than a few times to rest & drink. Out & back was 45 min.

  Some hills were a little too big for his small 20" bike & he fell a few times, but he got through it & had a great time & was elated that "We finished!"

  I'll be back again.
  skidrow a 38 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Trek 7.5 FX from Menifee CA

  Posted:12/06/2009

• Trail UpdateSanta Rosa Plateau-What has been posted is the easy side. If you want a technical climb, and a fun one at that take lions trail ( I dont know the real name of the trail) If you are heading up Clinton Keith the trail head is on the left side BEFORE you reach the preserve.... If you go past the turn for the visitors center, you went too far...

  This trail is awesome... Single track, killer climbs, awesome downhills, serious fun. I have rode this trail about 9 times and I love it.
  ddbyrd3 a 41 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Giant Reign II from Lake Elsinore, Ca

  Posted:02/02/2009

• Trail UpdateTwists/turns Not Much More-Rode this for the first time yesterday. Trails are well-maintained, but pretty docile. Lots of other rides, hikers and horses so hang a bell around your neck if you want to ride more than 5 miles an hour. A few fun little singletrack sections but didnt find anything technical enough to make me kick out of a pedal. It is a nice fun ride if you want to relax, ride with your family or decompress. Everyone I talked to out there was extremely friendly and environmentally conscious which was nice. Overall a nice relaxing ride on a Saturday morning.
  mack a 34 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Motobecane Phantom 29er 1x9 from Temecula

  Posted:11/30/2008

• Trail UpdateNice little, fast trail. Wish it were more tchnical, but cant complain. Trail is good for all riders, just watch out for the road apples!!
  fastjamis28 a 28 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Jamis Dakar XLT 1.0 from Sun City, CA

  Posted:04/09/2007

• Trail UpdateGreat Fun!-This really is a great ride. I went out last sunday (12/17). It had rained pretty hard the day before and it didnt do anything to ruin a perfect sunday morning. It was a little rutty, but the ruts added a nice bit of challenge and didnt slow things down too badly. The side trails are a hoot... tight and moderately technical. If i could find a trail that was just like those, only 4 or 5 miles in length I think i would be in heaven. I highly recommend this trail to anyone. As mentioned below, the wide stuff is great for family rides, and the tighter singletrack is great for novices and better.
  
  guernicasongs a 40 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Gary Fisher 29'er from Temecula

  Posted:12/20/2006

• Trail UpdateTHE Santa Rosa-Great little gem of a quick trail ride in Murrieta.I ride this at least 2-3 times a week as it is close to my work and during the summer time I can ride it well before the sun goes down, with time to spare, and during winter hours, I take the light but still am able to finish half of the trails before having to flip a switch.
  Good for every level of rider, as you can take the trails that are a bit softer rolling and good for families or for the more advanced riders you can take the off-shoots of the main trails that are out & backs but can get your heart rate up if you stomp a gear worth while. Overall a fairly "easy ride" but wouldnt give it up for the world! (Beats road-cycling thats for sure!!)
  pinkflux a 27 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Turner Flux from Temecula, CA

  Posted:12/12/2006

• Trail UpdateStill A Great Ride-I haven't ridden this (or any other trail for that matter) in about 6 months or so. The trail conditions are still good and consistent...not too soft, not too crowded...not very technical....but fast and fun. You can ride a 10 mile loop if you take oth the Tovashal and Shivela trails and take a quick out and back detour up Stevenson's ranch...by the way....who's been farther than the park boundary on Stevenson's ranch? Where does the trail go after you pass Harold Davis Hill?
  Gary Merk a 34 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ from Temecula

  Posted:11/15/2005

• Trail UpdateEvening Ride-Did an after work ride for the first time tonight, and since this trail is within 15 mins, was a good place to go. Lots of wildlife out in the evenings! We saw a little snake, a few tarantulas (one was run over or stomped on from the first time we passed it when it was alive and well), a coyote, and of course lots of horses. Few other bikers, but not too many.

  The trail is a little more fixed up if you park east of the main visitor center and take the little 1/2 mile trail to the main parking lot. There were a few holes there back in August. Everything else is still in good condition.
  stumpygirl a 24 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Specialized Stumpjumper 120 Expert from So Cal

  Posted:10/04/2005

• Trail UpdateShort Ride @ The Plateau 8-20-05-Rode this trail on my new bike (first trail ride), and I'm a beginner. I believe the main trail was closed for repairs (Wiashal Trail according to their site), but the loops around Sylvan Meadows were open.

  Really nice singletrack back there that is shaded and pretty cool. We rode about 4 miles. The LBS told us after the fact that there was a mountain lion up there. Not sure if that's still the case or not. We didn't see much, other than a few other bikers and a hiker or two. Lots of high schoolers that had run the trails and were finishing up when we got there, but the parking lot was nearly empty when we finished up.

  Trails were in really good condition. As the Plateau is close and the ride we did was fairly short, will definitely be going back for morning rides if we have afternoon plans.
  stumpygirl a 24 year old riding a Specialized Stumpjumper 120 Expert from So Cal

  Posted:08/25/2005

• Trail UpdateSanta Rosa Plateau - Murrieta-Great condition. Road 8 miles, and everything was beautiful.
  cedge100 a 43 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Giant VT from Norfolk, NE

  Posted:07/10/2005

• Trail UpdateSanta Rosa Plateau - Murrieta-I rode on Saturday on May 7th when the trails reopened.
  There are ruts that opened up from the rain season,
  it makes it funner to ride on the single track so just be a carefull. Near fenceline trail is a little over grown with grass that covers up the trail, but still fun to ride.
  Steve a 33 year old Weekend Warrior riding a GT I-Drive Pro from Wildomar

  Posted:05/17/2005

• Trail UpdateSANTA ROSA PLATEAU-i rode this trail after it opened a few mud puddles. but well worth the ride. i almost did not want to write this because i dont want the word to get out. it is such a great place to ride on that tech. but a whole lot of fun about 10-12 mile loop that is worth the drive up there. 25% fire road if that and 75% fun single track. 41 year old riding a gary fisher.
  Ride rating: Novice
  Ride distance: miles10-12 Elevation change: 1500.0
  Singletrack=75% Dirt Road=25%
  

  Posted:01/31/2005

• Trail UpdateSanta Rosa/Waishal Trail-This is acutally before the reserve accross from the Lacresta entrance on your left. Rode this trail for the first time since the rain and all in all was in good shape. This trail has some pretty tech. downhill that is washed out from the rain but most of the trail you are able to ride. Fun there and back. Worth checking out. One of the better trails around the area.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: 4 miles Elevation change:
  Singletrack=100%
  JOEL a 20 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Trek Fuel 80 from Temecula

  Posted:01/30/2005

• Trail UpdateSANTA ROSA PLATEAU-JUST RODE THIS TRAIL AND IT WAS FAST. NOT MUCH TECH STUFF BUT GREAT TRAINING. FLAT EASY SINGLETRACK WITH A FEW RUTS AND ROCKS THOWN IN FOR FUN. GREAT RID TO CHECK HEARTRATE AND TIME YOUR LAPS.
  Ride rating: Novice
  Ride distance: 5-7miles Elevation change:
  JASON RANOA a 33 year old Cross-Country Rider from MURRIETA URL: JASON

  Posted:10/21/2004

• Trail UpdateI checked out this area recently and I'm looking forward to riding it. I think I'll go out this weekend.
  PO

  Posted:08/17/2004

• Trail UpdateSanta Rosa/Waishal Trail-This ST is actually before you enter the reserve so there is no fee $2 fee for day use,it's onthe left across from the entrance to La cresta entrance as you go up Clinton Keith.It's a some what challenge at parts from ruts and steepness but overall a great workout from start to bottom and very little if any traffic .I ride it at least once a week and have only seen one or two riders out of ten times I'm there.A mix of uphill and downhill and some rocky sections but mostly dirt ST about 4 miles if you ride to bottom it ends at a housing tract then you can retrace your trail or ride up Clinton Keith street uphill to your start,I'd rather retrace on ST than asphalt myself.So check it out ,it's the the best ride Iv'e been on in this area(Santa Rosa).
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: 4miles Elevation change: 0
  Singletrack=100%
  Todd a 40 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Mongoose pro from Murrieta

  Posted:04/15/2004

• Trail UpdateMountain Lion Update-Just read in the paper, that the plateau will reopen tomorrow. The cat that stalked two hikers earlier in the week has not been captured, nor seen since the encounter. This was a 60-90lb male and was not afraid of the 2 hikers at all. Reports are it came within 2 feet of the 2. Get out and ride, be prepared, not scared!
  Ride rating: Novice
  Singletrack=30% Dirt Road=70%
  Tony

  Posted:03/05/2004

• Trail UpdateSanta Rosa Plateau-Rode here for the first time today with some friends. Wow!! We all had a blast. We did 2 loops on the Tovashal Trail, which starts on the right side of Clinton Keith Rd. Nothing technical at all, mostly roller coaster single track that is a lot of fun. I was ready to drop in a third time.
  This is a place I look forward to riding lots in the near future, and I recommend it highly. We met several other riders who were all friendly and appeared to be having as much fun as we were.
  Ride rating: Novice
  Ride distance: 8 miles Elevation change:
  Singletrack=80% Dirt Road=20%
  DS a Weekend Warrior riding a TREK from Fallbrook

  Posted:10/04/2003

• Trail UpdateRe: Santa Rosa Plateau Sampler-A reviewer mentioned that the Plateau is a good place for a night ride. The Reserve is closed at sunset. I am a volunteer up here and was suprised to read this since it is posted at all trail head entrances and the gates are locked at night. You would have to hop the fence and lift your bike over it in the process. It is always a good idea to check with local agencies for any trail to find out what restrictions there are. The reserve has a night time restriction for human safety and also ecological protection for the various creatures that inhabit the Reserve. Please check the link for more information.
  Dirt Diva a Weekend Warrior from Temecula URL: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve

  Posted:09/06/2003

• Trail UpdatePerfect Playground-I ride this trail on a semi regular basis since I live in the area and it is very convenient. Not overly technical at all. In fact, I consider the ride something to just satisfy my need for dirt when I don't have time to drive anywhere else. I do two loops or so which is just enough for my out of shape butt. The trail is always in great condition and rarley crowded. I'd recommend a weekday ride to avoid the horsies...also try riding at dusk to scope the coyotes. Mostly rolling single track with a few rocks and logs to play around on. It's super fast and super fun. Theres really not much exploring to do since, more and more it is being surrounded by custom homes. I'd recommend parking at the water trough area, riding up the street until you get to your first right, hang a right and enter the trail on the right hand side. Then ride out until Sylvan Meadows road and stay left until you get to Tovashal trail. Hang a left which will loop you back around to Sylvan Meadows rd and back to your car and your cooler...Peace!
  Ride rating: Novice
  Singletrack=80% Dirt Road=100%
  Gary Merk a 32 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ so sweet they named it sugar from Murrieta

  Posted:02/03/2003

• Trail UpdateSanta Rosa Plateau-Try it today for the first time and was suprised and challenged on this up n'down single tract with a few real steep peaks, tight turns and soft spots. When I drove up to the area, after just riding Santa Margarita Trail in Fallbrook this morning, it look very flat, maybe thats why they call it a plateau, and was not expecting a technical ride. Most of the trails were closed to bicyles, except for one that is mention as another trail, on the north side called somthing like "wiashall trail" leading from the preserve parking lot to a housing tract. Wow, its like a mini San Jaun or Nobel Canyon without the crowds. I only saw one other mt.biker. I like to find more hidden single tracks, especially ones with lots of bank turns and roller coaster slopes.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 7 miles Elevation change: 3000
  Singletrack=100%
  Mark Diehl a 41 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a SPECIALIZED FSRXC M4 STUMPJUMPER from Vista, CA

  Posted:10/19/2002

• Trail UpdateAnother Section-There's another section that's legal for bikes. It's on the south (left) side of Clinton Keith maybe a mile before you get to the preserve. It's definitely more technical than the preserve proper. It comes out in a housing development then you take the pavement back to Clinton Keith. But we were able to make a 19-mile loop with only a few miles of pavement by including this section. There's are two ways down when you get to the end of this section. One is a super-steep and loose trail straight down to the fire station. That would cut the pavement work, but it is really steep! The other way is sandy, but more do-able with a lot of switchbacks. That is the one that dumps you into into the housing tract.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 19 miles Elevation change: 2500
  Singletrack=70% Dirt Road=10% Paved Path=20%
  Pete a 43 year old riding a Cannondale V-2000FR from Los Alamitos

  Posted:09/23/2001

• Trail UpdateSanta Rosa Plateau Sampler-I rode up here last week with a group from work. It was my first time here. There are many trails, most of which appear to be singletrack. We started across the street from the Visitor's Center on Clinton Keith Rd and we rode for about 75 minutes, until it got dark. I was glad to follow someone who was familiar with the area because none of the trails are signed and there are many options. This is a fun place to ride. However, there doesn't seem to be much climbing or technical sections (but I haven't ridden everything yet). It is mostly rolling hills and dirt trails with few rocks. Therefore, I would rate this area as Beginner for sure. Nevertheless, since there is a large variety of trails, a lot of singletrack, and scenic beauty, I think it is a decent riding spot. There are some short, steep climbs and if you ride hard in the middle or large ring, you can get a good workout.

  The Santa Rosa Plateau would be a good place for night riding (as long as you know the trails and don't get lost). This would also be a good place to bring significant others or children who like to ride but aren't ready (or have no desire) to tackle the San Juan Trail or Noble Canyon (or even Chino Hills and Whiting Ranch, which are more challenging than SR Plateau).
  Ride rating: Beginner
  Ride distance: 10 miles Elevation change: 1000 ft
  Singletrack=60% Dirt Road=20% Paved Path=20%
  SS a 32 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Catamount from OC

  Posted:10/28/2000

• Trail UpdateThe Plateau-If you like to be surrounded by natural beauty and some nice single track, 'The Plateau' is truly one of the hidden treasures of So. Cal trails. Most people think you can only hike at the preserve, but at the right trail heads,you will find bike-friendly signs.

  Conditions: Single track, fire road and some unexplored areas that may substantially increase the difficuly of this ride. Depending on what trail you hit, the difficulty varies.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: 8-20 miles variable Elevation change: 1000ft
  Singletrack=40% Dirt Road=60%
  Joey Allen a Racer riding a GT Zaskar from Murrieta, CA

  Posted:02/13/2000