Alder Creek

Climbing 3,200 feet into the southern San Bernardino Mountains, Alder Creek provides phenomenal views across the Inland Empire and out to the distant Santa Ana Mountains. Just off the trail, and hidden from traffic, are abundant dispersed camping sites. Many of these sites are located on large, level areas adjacent to wind-sheltering mountain slopes, with space for multiple vehicles and tents, and offer outstanding views of the cities below.   At its end, the trail intersects City Creek 1N09, which provides access to many other trails to explore or a quick exit to Highway 330.

Alder Creek twists and turns up the mountainsides with several hairpin turns, but it is an easy drive on a mostly flat, hard-packed dirt road. Shelf roads with very steep drops make up a large portion of the trail and can be intimidating, but these sections are generally wide enough for two vehicles to carefully pass with a few narrow segments that require careful maneuvering to make way for opposing vehicles. Many culverts and shallow water worn ruts cross the road, and these are easily managed by a two-wheel drive vehicle with good ground clearance