I take Southern California for granted meaning gravel like the Harding Truck Trail gets overlooked.
Covering this large and long state is quite a task, so I don’t want to skew to my local area too heavily but there are times when I need to expand the portfolio.
The Santa Ana Mountains are similar to many others from Santa Barbara all the way down to the border in geology and vegetation though there are plenty of details to find within.
This excursion was organized by our friends at Gravelstoke and Thank Gravel It’s Friday starting a few miles south of the hills in Rancho Santa Margarita meaning some suburban meandering was needed.
After passing the late 19th century hub of Cook’s Corner, we wrapped around the following incline to dip into Modjeska Canyon born in the same era, but with more examples of that character.
The entrance to Harding Truck Trail is tucked behind and you’ll know instantly if this climb is for you with the first mile nearing 10%.
With a little depression after this initial effort, there is very little let up consistently staying in the high single digits until the last mile.
My biggest adjustment on the climb was how enveloped we were in the Cleveland National Forest having very little signs of the outside world until we reached our peak.
While there are other possibilities at the top (although check with the forest services about closures especially after the Airport Fire), our most direct way of completing the loop was down Maple Springs Road.
The first four miles are wide which you think would facilitate speed, but the bumpiness and off-road traffic requires your attention first.
Reaching the somewhat paved part, the road takes on a funner flare with more movement in the z-axis than side to side.
Crossing the Maple Springs trailhead, Silverado Canyon takes us home more formally with your first place to refuel at the market.
We returned on Santiago Canyon Rd where we opted for the dirt choice with the very undulating Whiting Ranch, followed by the more dubious powerline section as our last piece of off-roading.
The Harding Truck Trail is robust on its own that you can without the extracurricular dirt south of Santiago Canyon.
While the neighboring Black Star climb has more flair, Harding Truck Trail is a sturdy route that’s easy to understand why it’s such a local staple.