CRAFTON HILLS/REGIONAL PARK TRAIL ZANJA PEAK

Situated between Redlands and Yucaipa, in San Bernardino County.

The top of the Crafton Hills, a foothill area that separates Redlands and Yucaipa, actually provides, by use of the trail system recently
completed, a unique 360 degree vista of the valley and nearby mountains. The vista includes portions of Redlands, all of Yucaipa and the Oak Glen area, much of the Inland Empire and Mount Baldy, the San Bernardino Mountains, the San Jacinto Mountains to the east, and on a clear day, Lake Perris to the south. Atop the Zanja Peak 3537 feet high one can view the Santa Ana River 2000 feet below and Mt. San Gergonio at over 10,000 feet above. In all, the trail provides a dramatic pause in a wonderful day hike just 15 minutes from downtown Redlands and even less from Yucaipa. Access is through the County Regional Park on Oak Glen Rd.

The Crafton Hills Open Space Conservancy holds regular wildflower hikes in the spring. The trail is attractive to equestrians, who venture forth from gathering areas in the Park for rides into these hills. Park visitors, as well as joggers and bicyclists from the Crafton Hill Community College, are afforded opportunities for invigorating exercise and quiet solitude on this and connecting trails.

Bellfree Contractors, Inc., of Redlands, headed by Roger Bell, built the trail last fall. Bellfree has been engaged in this unique construction activity for over 30 years, having built trails and pedestrian bridges in 14 states, including many in the San Bernardino National Forest, and locally for developers and other public agencies.

This is the second leg of a five-mile loop trail, which begins and ends in the Park. The first leg, which starts above the old County waste site, traverses into the Crafton Hills to Zanja Peak. This second section completes the loop, coming down in the east portion of the Park. The trail features numerous switchbacks to reach the high point of the hills and affords an excellent view of the Inland Empire Valley and surrounding mountains.

After locating the trail on the ground, and providing detailed specifications, Bellfree constructed it for the County, using a small excavator made by Takeuchi. Much of the final grooming utilized their four-track motorcycle and drag, with final hand raking. At the request of the County Trail Coordinator, BellFree has developed a regular maintenance program year-round.