Box Springs Mountain Park - #BoxSpringsMountainPark

Socal - Riverside County - Grand Terrace NickNames: #BoxSpringsMountainPark

Use Barton Rd. exit off the 215 Hwy. Drive East into Grand Terrace. You can park at the corner of Barton Rd. and Mt. Vernon Rd. Ride your bike up Mt. Vernon Rd. which then turns into Pegeon Pass Rd. At Box Springs Mountain Road, turn right and follow the road until you come to the entrance to Box Springs Mountain Park. Just look for the mountains with all the radio antennas.

33 Review(s)Login

• Trail UpdateQuestion On Rating-I see this ride doesn't have a difficulty rating. I normally ride Marshall, but a Riverside friend of mine wants to go here for a first timer ride. Is there a suggested beginner route?
  alop a 29 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR from Rancho Cucamonga

  Posted:01/06/2010

• Trail UpdateRide The M-Rode from the top past the M today ending on Pigeon Pass Rd. Trail is in decent shape. Due to the recent rain there are sections of the trail with ruts to be expected. No sections totally un-rideable however, I did have to unclip and handful of times to be on the safe side.
  unnown2u a 23 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a GT Avalanch Expert

  Posted:05/25/2008

• Trail UpdateGreat Condition-Rode M for the first time in two years, since moving to the flatlands of the midwest. Mountain biking is much better here, of course. The trail was in great shape, well maintained, this is the time of year to go. About 10-12 people walking up/down, but not bothersome at all, since there are really no blind spots, you can easily see them coming, and vice versa. Wish I could stay longer and hit it again, but it's time to go back to my new home. :(
  big-D a 33 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a '04 Specialized Bit Hit from originally Chino, now a Hoosier

  Posted:01/28/2007

• Trail UpdateI was last up there 6 months ago.The trail was as good as ever and still a blast to ride.

  My home is off Perris blvd, up by the big water tank. I see some of you guys doing summer night rides on the singletrack, watch from my back yard. You guys rock!!! Having ridden that trail MANY times, you guy's "haul the mail" in the fast sections. Once I can afford some lighting, I will try this trail at night. Maybe someday I can play with ya?

  ntoracn@yahoo.com

  Randy
  ntoracn a 42 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a 99 LTS from Moreno Valley

  Posted:05/30/2006

• Trail UpdateAttn: Night Rider's On "M"-I was last up there 6 months ago.The trail was as good as ever and still a blast to ride.

  My home is off Perris blvd, up by the big water tank. I see some of you guys doing summer night rides on the singletrack! You guys rock!!! Having ridden that trail MANY times, you guy's "haul the mail" in the fast sections. Once I can afford some lighting, I will try this trail at night. Maybe someday I can play with ya?

  ntoracn@yahoo.com

  Randy
  ntoracn a 42 year old Weekend Warrior riding a 99 LTS from Moreno Valley

  Posted:05/30/2006

• Trail UpdateBS-Rode M today, the only trail I've done here. Last July I just about died in the heat, today was really nice. Once small section was so overgrown I walked a little 'cause I couldn't see the rocks on the trail. M is great, but a little too short. I just park in the lot and ride up, down, then up again. I don't see the benefit of parking in the shopping center if you're just gonna come down a dirt road and not a singletrack, especially if you're not in the greatest of shape.
  big-D a 31 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a '04 Specialized Big Hit from Chino

  Posted:02/09/2005

• Trail UpdateM Trail-i rode the M today 11/13. The trail is clear of all brush but the rains did alot to the trail. There are many ruts in the trail that will put you on a bad line if you get in them. Right now there is perfect traction cause of the rain so get out and ride it.
  Ride rating: Novice
  Singletrack=50% Dirt Road=50%
  CHRIS a 17 year old Downhiller riding a giant from moreno valley

  Posted:11/13/2004

• Trail UpdateSkyline Loop Overgrown-The Skyline trail loop near the parking area is very overgrown right now. It's still fun, though. Two Trees is getting better as more have people ridden it since the rain and the effects of the erosion are slowly disappearing.
  
  m2brew a Cross-Country Rider URL: Team Dirty Work

  Posted:04/26/2004

• Trail UpdateTwo Trees, Skyline Trail-Two Trees is a pretty eroded right now, but most of the rest of the trails are in good shape. We've been adding Skyline trail (off Box Springs Mt. Rd. about 100 yards below the dirt parking lot), to our around the mountain ride lately. The loop is about 20-30 minutes, depending how fast you ride it. We generally take it starting to the left (counterclockwise) and finish our ride down Two Trees.
  m2brew a 26 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a really big Trek hardtail from Riverside URL: Team Dirty Work

  Posted:03/16/2004

• Trail UpdateM-trial-rode it sunday 2/8 and it is in perfect condition. it is prety much clear of brush and not to many ruts. the trail is ready for everyone to ride. if you are in the area i would recomend riding it.
  Ride rating: Novice
  Ride distance: 2.0 (singletrack only) Elevation change:
  fred a 23 year old Downhiller riding a stinky nine from Fonatana

  Posted:02/11/2004

• Trail UpdateBig "M" And Two Trees-Rode Box Springs yesterday...I have been out of mtn biking for about 1 1/2 years now...I decided on a return on Box Springs. I started out at the bottom of Two Tree's trail...and rode up it...Ok ok...I used to be able to ride up it...so I walked probably 50% of it. It took me only 40 min...then another 30 min to get to the famous Big "M" trail...and I loved the downhill on this trail...technical and I miss it. It looks like somebody been working on the trails...because some of the harder more technical parts have been made ahhh less hard.
  It good to see the trails in the rear of the houses is not a dirt road anymore, but actually a single track now...thanks to whoever responsible for that!
  I rode back up to Two Tree's trail and rode down it...I love this ride next to the Big "M" trail. If anybody wants info and how to get around this trail...that is once you eject down at the bottom of Big "M"...I will gladly help...just shoot me an email.

  The trail is in great condition!!! I love this ride!!!
  The Up Two Tree's...up to Big "M"...down Big "M"...back to top of Two Tree's is approx...11 miles round trip.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: Elevation change: 700'
  Singletrack=80% Dirt Road=14% Paved Path=6%
  Kenny a 31 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a 2001 Giant NRS from Loma Linda, CA

  Posted:02/01/2004

• Trail UpdateBox Springs/ 2 Towers-all 4 of us rode from riverside(by the rite-aid shopping ctr) to the 2towers around 20.2 miles, a ride long and rough ride but worth the downhillwhich is a great ride down.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 20.2miles Elevation change:
  fred a 40 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a santa cruz light from redlands

  Posted:01/04/2004

• Trail UpdateRode Here Sunday-THE ONLY WAY TO GET BACK UP TO THE TOP BESIDES PAVEMENT IS GETTING A SHUTTLE RIDE. we shuttled to the ranger station and rode up to the first towers and rode down the "hidden trail" and the "spring trail" then down "two tree's". got picked up and went back up to the top of the M-trail( i was dead from riding sycamore on sat.) went down to the truck and went home trails are in pretty good condition.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: ? Elevation change: ?
  Singletrack=?% Dirt Road=?% Truck Trail=?%
  Garry a 22 year old Downhiller riding a giant ac 1 from chino

  Posted:04/13/2003

• Trail UpdateAnyway To Avoid Pavement?-I rode Box Spring for the first time on 4-9-03. Rode the fireroad up to radio towers from the trailhead. Fireroad is in good condition. Then took the single tract to the left, at the top, all the way down to the base of the mountain and housing tracts. The single tract is pretty fun. Some loose areas as expected, few ruts. Tremendous amount of wild flowers, and butterflies. Overall great ride, EXCEPT having to spend about 40 % of ride on pavement, in order to get back to the trailhead.
  Can anyone tell me if there is any way back to the trailhead without using pavement? Or suggest any other loop that you can stay on dirt trail?
  Turtleman

  Posted:04/10/2003

• Trail UpdateBOX SPRINGS MOUNTAIN PARK-Rode the trails on horseback on 3-22-03. Steep - lots of switchbacks, and mountainbikers who do not seem to know that horses DO have the right of way. So please yield to the folks on horses, and go VERY SLOWLY downhill around blind curves.
  Encountered a very large, angry rattler. Some of the horse trails are a bit washed out/rutted, and there are some go-arounds.

  Posted:03/23/2003

• Trail UpdateTwo Trees-me and the craiger rode this trail via the sunflower loop, from the other side of the freeway. what along ride! lots of houses being put up,, leading to the regular route we take. the ride was great,. good brisk weather. as for 2 trees the downhill is major rut city, with no real good line to take without ending in a big rut. the trail need more bikes on it to wear the ruts down. my 2.1's and craigers 2.2's didn't help, but fun anyways.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 19miles Elevation change:
  fred a 39 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a santa cruz light from redlands

  Posted:02/16/2003

• Trail UpdateAlot Of Hikers-there have been alot of hikers and horses, so i'm just saying be carefull of horses, and hikers. horses around here are trying to get bikers off the trails so be nice and slow down for people and horses
  byron a 23 year old Downhiller riding a 2003 dimondback xts moto from moreno valley

  Posted:01/01/2003

• Trail UpdateUpdate-I rode all trails at box springs last saturday night, and sunday night. two trees is in good condition some rutts are a little deeper. skyline i didn't ride, but the rest of the group rode it and said it was still judt like it was the rain did nothin to the trail. spring trail was fine, hidden trail was a little rougher because of the rain. edison i didn't notice a differance. M trail is still the same. all the rain did was keep the dust down. all the trails are in good conditions
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: depends Elevation change:
  bob a 22 year old Downhiller riding a giant dh comp from moreno valley

  Posted:12/31/2002

• Trail UpdateTHE M TRAIL-THE M TRAIL IS STILL IN PRETTY GOOD CONDITION.THERE ARE A COUPLE SECTIONS THAT ARE RUTTED OUT/ RUTTS RUNNING THROUGH THE TRAIL. SOMEONE WENT ON THE TRAIL AND LINED SOME OF THE TRAIL WITH ROCKS SO THAT PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO CUT THE TRAIL HAVE TO JUMP SOME ROCKS. YOU CAN STILL TAKE THE SHORT CUTS IF YOU WANT TO. THE LAST RAIN DIDN'T MAKE ANYMORE RUTTS IN THE TRAIL.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: 2.5 MILES Elevation change:
  Singletrack=50% Dirt Road=50%
  CHRIS a 16 year old Downhiller riding a GIANT from MORENO VALLEY

  Posted:11/27/2002

• Trail UpdateUnseen Dangers @ Box Springs Mt.-The top of Box Springs Mt. Park is a multi user Broadcast site that can be compared to Mt. Wilson in L.A. Yeah, all those towers look neat and all, but what you don't see is all of the RF (radio frequency) radiation being emmited from that hill top. One of the reasons that Broadcast sites are remotely located is because it is inhearently UN-healthy to hang out there. More and more studies are showing the effects of RF radiation are considerably more dangerous than originally thought.
  My advice to you, if you want to stay healthy (why else do you ride?) don't go above the upper plateau where the burned out rusted car body is by the dirt road!
  Just an engineers point of view. Cheers!
  Tom Guptill a 55 year old Weekend Warrior from San Bernardino .org

  Posted:07/24/2002

• Trail Updatewhen you come to box springs to ride remember it's more less a downhill place. unless you have two cars and know were to leave them then yes you will do some climbing to get back to your car. also there are many trails you can leave your car at the parking lot and end back there. you will have to climg first,but they are fun. if you leave your car in the parking lot and want to end without a big climb back to your car you can ride the sprig trail, hidden trail, edison, and skyline 1 and skyline 2(wich is very overgrown). if you are willing to ride a big climb or push you could do two trees, the "M".
  all are very fun
  
  Ride distance: depens on trails riden Elevation change:
  Singletrack=1-99% Dirt Road=1-75%
  chris a 15 year old Downhiller riding a giant warp ds1 from moreno valley ca

  Posted:05/27/2002

• Trail Updateafter hearing about all the technical singletrack and what a great place this was, i decided to check it out and went there w/ a couple of friends on sat.
  i was greatly disappointed. when we arrived, there were no other bikers there. this should have been a big clue. w/ so many great trails in southern california, i'm not sure why this park got a favorable write-up. my friends and i gave it 2 thumbs down.

  it looked like there were a couple of good trails, but once you ride them, there's not a good way back up unless you carry your bike up the trail you rode down or bike back around the mountain on pavement and fireroad. not my idea of a great park.

  Posted:04/22/2002

• Trail UpdateBIG "M"-DECEMBER 27 MY FRIEND AND I RODE FROM THE RANGER STATION TO THE TOP OF THE BIG "M".WE HAVEN'T DONE THE TRAIL IN ABOUT A YEAR. WE WENT BACK TO DO IT AGAIN ON SATURDAY WITH MORE PEOPLE. THE TRAIL WAS IN EXELENT CONDITION. SAD TO SAY THE FIRE DID CLAEN UP THE TRAIL REALLY GOOD. THERE IS A CUPLE OF REALLY ROCKY SECTIONS WHICH IS TO BE EXPECTED. I ENCOURAGE EVERY ONE TO AT LEAST RIDE IT ONCE. TWORD THE BOTTEM MY FRIEND AND I MADE A TRAIL. THIS ONE IS A LITTLE MORE ADVANCED. THE TRAIL IS MARKED BY A BIG SIGN THAT SAYS"MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL". IF YOU RIDE THE BIG M I SUGGEST U TRY IT. THE TRAIL ENDS A LITTLE BIT FARTHER THAN THE BIG M. THE TRAIL ENDS AT THE CHURCH ON PIGEON PASS ROAD. IT HAS DROPS TO BURMS. I SUGGEST EVERYBODY TRY THE BIG M TRAIL. AND THE "MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL."
  THE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL STARTS TWORD THE BOTTEM OF THE BIG M
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 3 MILES Elevation change:
  Singletrack=90% Dirt Road=10%
  CHRIS a 15 year old Downhiller riding a 2002 GIANT WARP D S 1 from MORENO VALLEY CA

  Posted:01/03/2002

• Trail UpdateBox Spring Mountain Park-I rode around Box Springs today and up to the Big "M" trail...trail is in excellent condition considering the fire just took out all the brush around...sad to say the fire cleaned up the trails pretty good! I highly recommend this trail for anybody who is an advanced rider and wants some narly technical downhill... there are three trails I recommend doing... 1. The Big "M" trail. 2. The "C" trail (only expert downhillers on this one). and 3. Two tree's trail... The Big "M" trail is my all time favorite! There is a free map of the trail at the parking lot at the top of Box Springs. A must ride for everybody!
  
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 11-22miles Elevation change: 550'
  Singletrack=80% Dirt Road=18% Paved Path=2%
  Kenny a 29 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a 2000 Giant NRS from Riverside

  Posted:08/05/2001

• Trail UpdateMountain Lion-
  I went to try Box Springs last week for the first time. I didn't really know where I was going so I parked at the dirt parking lot and took off up the dirt road. When I got to the top where the single track started I decided not to do it because it was getting late and I didn't want to trek back to the car and not really know where I was going. I decided to just go back down the dirt road. About a third of the way down just past the electric towers I encountered a mountain lion. He (or maybe she) heard me coming and I saw his head perk up and look back at me. He was about 30 yards ahead right on the dirt road. Before I could even react he dashed up into the brush. There's no way I would have been able to stop in time if he hadn't run off. I rushed by where he'd been without hesitation. I looked back and didn't see him so I just went on and finished the ride.

  This was my first time here and most likely the last time I go by myself. I will be back to do the singletrack though. As soon as I got home that day I did a little research on mountain lions. Here's the site I checked out - http://www.mountainlion.org/ - it gives a lot of safety tips that could be helpful.
  Jeff Stanners a 26 year old riding a Nishiki Pinnacle from Redlands, CA URL: http://www.mountainlion.org/

  Posted:07/09/2001

• Trail UpdateSingletrack Heaven!!!-After about a year of reading the postings I finally found Box Springs. The last time I tried to ride this trail I got lost and ended up riding a hill which was primarily used for dirt bikes.

  Anyways, I took Pigeon Pass all the way up, turned right towards Box Springs Mtn park. This was my first time here so, at the trail, I decided to take the road on the right towards the lower radio tower. The fireroad was pretty good and when I passed the tower the sigletrack started. Boom!!!, you start to boogie right away, little two ft drop and off you go. I stayed on the singletrack till it ended at a drop off which I'm sure was made for hikers only. If you can go down this on your bike, then damn your awesome. From what I can remember from the postings this appeared to be the wrong way so I headed back to where the road forked.

  I started on the other fireroad and headed up towards the other/higher radio towers. The climb was pretty good, hard packed however there were alot of ruts. I even saw an old car turned on its side. When I got up to the last radio tower, wala, singletrack heaven!!!

  I blasted down the singletrack, and man this was the S@#$!!! At the beggining of this year I posted on Pt. Mugu's trail stating it had one of the best singletracks ever - this was because it was long and seemed to be never ending (however it lacked the technical challenge).

  Well, here it is folks, a super long singletrack with ruts, switchbacks, 2-3ft drop offs, little technical climbs, shutes through rocks...you name it this place has it. Totally awesome, can't give it enough props.

  At the bottom was Hidden Springs Rd. Now as I mentioned, this was my first time here...so guess what? I was lost. Luckily I ran into a few locals that were kind enough to direct me back to Pigeon Pass rd. Took this road all the way back to my car, which was another 2plus miles. If anyone can recommend a connecting route or a loop that will lead me back to my car(for the next ride), I would greatly appreciate it. Overall the long ride back to my car was well worth it. Just to come down that singletrack was awesome. It must have been at least two miles long and technical too!!! As soon as I get a map I'll be back. I'd like to stay on the trail and not go on the road at all. Oh well, next time...

  Ride HARD, Ride FAST!!!
  
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: 10 miles Elevation change:
  Singletrack=50% Dirt Road=50%
  Big Joe a Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Intense Tracer from Fullerton, CA

  Posted:03/28/2001

• Trail UpdateBox Springs Mtn Park-I ride Box Springs Mtn park about twice a week because I love the difficulity and the views on a clear day. You can plan a day trip of about 5 hours or approx. 25 miles or do a short 7 mile loop. I prefer the Big "M" trail loop. Let's just say it's awesome! There is a map of all the trails at the park parking lot. E-mail me if you ever want to ride there...you won't regret it!
  I recomend taken the rear route and starting from park entrance. Take Pigeon Pass road till it turn into dirt road...dirt road ends a park entrance.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 7-25 miles Elevation change: 1000'
  Singletrack=80% Dirt Road=20%
  Kenny a 27 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a 2000 Giant Xtc DS1 from Riverside

  Posted:11/25/2000

• Trail UpdateBOX SPRINGS MOUNTAIN-Today I started from BofA. Went up central, around railroad tracks and took dirt road to single track and went around montain to Two Trees single track. At bottom took single track that went back to Central ave. Condition were hardpacked and very cold. I had a blast checking out some new trails!!!
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: miles 15 Elevation change: 1000 ft
  Singletrack=70% Dirt Road=20% Paved Path=10%
  Alfredo a 26 year old Weekend Warrior riding a trek 9200 from riverside

  Posted:11/23/2000

• Trail UpdateMmmmm, good dirt on them thar mountains at Box Springs Rd. Awesome trails. The fun downhills have switchbacks that curl the hair on my neck. Drop offs, and long climbs. The best part of the whole loop is the reward - the downhill. The climb is pretty long (depending on where you're going). But it is well worth it.

  I train on these trails with the team at UC Riverside. Great fun. Even the ride to box springs mountain from campus is fun. We have to ride around the mountain, but the singletrack there is fun as well. Gotta try this park. If i had more time, i'd ride this trail everyday. Did i mention how fun this trail is? i guess not. It's fun..lotsa fun.
  Singletrack=a lot% Dirt Road=some% Truck Trail=a bit%
  Peter a 18 year old Racer riding a 99 Marin Hardtail with lotsa goodies - good good from Riverside CA URL: V-Link

  Posted:04/10/1999

• Trail UpdateThis area has become one of my team's favorite places to train. The "killer" downhill singletrack is so much fun and it is great training for my downhillers. Then the long climb from the bottom to the very top is our main trail to use when we want to work on our "extended climbing" skills. If you see these guys and gals in blue/yellow/black UC Riverside jerseys, say wassup!
  Singletrack=40% Dirt Road=50% Truck Trail=10%
  Oliver a 20 year old Racer riding a Giant MCM Team from Riverside

  Posted:04/06/1999

• Trail UpdateBox Springs Canyon-I went to high school in Moreno Valley. Box Springs is where I learned how to ride a mountain bike. (See my web page for pics of the this and other trails). After 10 years of riding some pretty hard-core trails all over the western Unites States, Box Springs is an easy to lower intermediate trail. While I evolved enough to climb up all 2500 vertical feet to the radio towers in the 100+ heat of July, I wouldn't recommend the ride in the summer unless you are a desert dweller, love rattle snakes, and have the lungs to inhale all the smog for the first 1000 vertical feet. During the wintertime this is a fun ride because the skies are clear, the temperature is mild, and they're aren't many mountain bikers (or hikers) on the trails. March and April are the best times to go for a good challange due to inevitable erosion from winter rains, especially on the downhill single track.

  The ride to the top is via a fire road/residential unpaved road that begins at the end of Pigeon Pass Rd. (Take 60 fwy, to Pigeon Pass Rd., north all the way till you hit the dirt). You can either park at the bottom of the hill or midway in the parking lot of Box Springs Park (merely an unpaved clear section of dirt with a wooden fence around its perimeter). Remember if you park midway, you have to ride back up either the way you came or full circle using Pigeon Pass Rd.

  The best time I had on this trail was an early morning (4 a.m.) ride I did with a friend. We had to be to class at 8:30a.m. at Canyon Springs High. It was pitch black and though we had full lighting, it was quite a rush riding down the side of that mountain in the dark.
  
  Singletrack=40% Dirt Road=60%
  Mike a 25 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Diamondback V-link from Costa Mesa, CA URL: Mike's Homepage

  Posted:03/29/1999

• Trail UpdateBox Springs-I rode this trail on one of the hottest days of the year and nearly died. While the singletrack was awesome, the weather was miserably hot. I would recomend you stay away from Box Springs from May to October.

  I started at the Box Springs Park parking lot and did the loop which was 9 miles as opposed from starting down at the shopping center. The singletrack is severly overgrown, especially the bottom section that cuts back around the foot of the mountain.
  Singletrack=50% Dirt Road=50%
  Mark Ross a 29 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Marin from Huntington Beach

  Posted:08/31/1998

• Trail UpdateBox Springs Mountain Park-

  Posted:08/31/1998