Get set for a thrilling adventure through the Santa Ana Mountains on the infamous Joplin Trail.
Embark on a journey through rugged mountain terrain, dense forests, and clear streams. Joplin Trail offers an unforgettable experience that boasts spectacular views and technical challenges in Orange County's backcountry.
This is a sizable and technically demanding ride that requires a climb up either Harding Truck Trail or Maple Springs to Four Corners, followed by a push towards "The Peak" before arriving at the trailhead. The trail begins at the saddle between Santiago and Modjeska Peak, marked by a steel trail post, and is currently in excellent condition as of 4/9/2023.
Be prepared for an all-day epic, as our recent 25-mile ride to check the conditions included 5,000 ft of climbing.
WHAT TO BRING
-
Your skills, a sense of adventure, and a full suspensionbike. This might be a great time to demo an e-bike!
-
A bug net or face covering (we suggest one of ours). We passed through several clouds of bugs on the way up. They did NOT bite, and they were mostly gone once we dropped into Joplin Trail.
-
Food and water for a long ride.
-
Tools, tubes, flat repair, and whatever you might need to keep your bike going.
-
Knee and elbow pads are a good idea.
-
We suggest creating a route and saving it to a Garmin or Wahoo.