I tried this trail a week after riding the Kern river trail and was disappointed with this trail. It seemed kind of dirty. Also, that day it was really hot (not the trails fault). I'll try it again someday, though, and see if my opinion changes.

Correction to my last submittal. The Quality Inn mentioned is in SAN BERNARDINO....not Riverside. Sorry about that

bikeE Dave

I would have rated it higher but I have been spoiled by trails like the Centennials and the Trail of the Couer D'Alenes in Washington and Idaho. They are hard to beat. I've been living in SoCal for about five months now and have yet to ride any that compare. The Upper SART is the best I've ridden in SoCal.

I started at the Arlington Ave end. I parked outside the gate as I didn't think I'd be done before they locked it. I would recommend using the parking area about a quarter mile inside of the gate though. Then you don't have to hump it up a steep grade after riding 40 miles...sheesh!

Except for a few things it's pretty much as Trailbear described last year. There is a section of dirt path for a quarter mile between the Hidden Valley Nature Center and the trailhead. It was a day after it had rained and I had to navigate around a good sized mud hole there. Bents don't do well in mud. There were three sections of pavement under repair between Fairmount Park and the upper end. There was only one lane of travel in these areas but the longest one was about 30 feet so no biggie. Due to the rain the path was under about six inches of water where it went under some railroad tracks. There was no way around it so I slowly drove through it. Wasn't too bad, but I forgot to shift down so I had to push up the immediate steep grade on the other side. The weather was very overcast and cool. The closer I got to the upper end the worse it got.

After 20 miles I reached the upper end. I looked across South Waterman Ave and could see that the trail is under construction but none of the locals I talked to knew when it was supposed to be completed. If you want to start at the Waterman end, Tifanie (yes...that's how she spells it.) at the Quality Inn said it's fine. She also let me use the restroom in the lobby. Thanks again Tifanie.

The return was uneventful but I'd recommend starting at the Waterman (upper) end in the morning when it's calm so you can take advantage of the prevailing wind coming up the canyon in the afternoon on your way back. I got a good workout fighting a 10 to 15 MPH headwind going back. Took the 3/4 mile detour into Fairmount Park (halfway) and found it a gorgeous place with lakes. play areas, gazebo/rose garden, water, restrooms, and a golf course nearby. The homeless population mixed with lots of families enjoying a day at the park was interesting.

Some logistical info.....

GPS addresses:
west end - 11401 Arlington Ave. Riverside,CA N33 degrees 57.312' W117degrees 30.904' Elev. 776
east end - 1672 S Waterman Ave. Riverside, CA N34degrees 04.190' W117degrees 16.745' Elev.965

Pictures available upon request.

Signed,
bikeE Dave