FOM FOK Hiking Group

Rhus Ridge

Description

This trip to Rhus Ridge was just a short trip to keep in shape. So much is happening with everyone during this time of year, it is hard for people to find time for the hikes.

This short section of the trail is moderate on the "Wimble Scale". Plan on 1 water bottles and perhaps no snack.

Directions

Take I-280 to the El Monte Road exit west.
Just past Foothill College, turn left onto Moody road.
Go one half mile and turn left on Rhus Ridge Road.
Go two tenths of a mile to a 5-car parking area.
Walk into the park, past the ranger's station, and begin the serpentine path up the trail.
The trail is steep for the first nine tenths of a mile, with several good points to rest and view the valley.
About half way up, there is a trail off to the left, stay on the main trail—the trail to the left is not well traveled and is overgrown with poison oak.
Just before you reach the top, there is a very short, steep section, then you come out into a picturesque overlook into the interior valley.
Bear left for this short hike. There are actually 4 trails here, take the leftmost, which is the highest trail to the left. Beware the Yellow Star Thistle—it can savage any bare legs.
When the three left trails converge, continue east for some better views of the valley. This is the Chamise Trail. You will pass an overview of the Quarry Lake development on the north side of the trail. If you were to continue, you would enter the Rancho San Antonio Park.
Return along the trail and take the southernmost cutoff where the trails join. This takes you past the Duveneck Windmill site marker.
Return along the Rhus Ridge Trail to the parking lot. Use of hiking sticks is recommended to save your knees on this short, steep descent.

Trip Reports

Saturday, July 1, 2000

Nancy, Kathy, and Mike take a short hike. The Yellow Star Thistle has really taken over the exposed area of the meadow and is particularly nasty for bare legs and ankles. Just as we were about to return through the final gate before the ranger's station, we nearly stepped on a juvenile rattle snake.

Click on picture below to view a larger version.