Santa Rosa Plateau - Granite Loop, CA

Overview
The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve (SRPE) is a small oasis within California's sprawling network of inland cities. Located between Murrieta and Lake Elsinore, it provides nearby residents with the opportunity to hike and bike without the concrete and backyards that dominate much of their landscape. The Reserve also has some historical significance. There is evidence of tribal activity dating back to the 1100s, and more recently, the Reserve has the two oldest standing structures in Riverside County, dating back to 1846.


In addition to serving as a retreat from city life, the Reserve provides a crucial habitat for over 200 species of animals, including 49 that are endangered. It also has a diverse range of climes: including riparian wetlands, grasslands, coastal sagebrush, oak woodlands, and chaparral. Many of these habitats have been compromised in other locales, and this Reserve plays a crucial role in preserving an ecosystem that supports a diverse array of wildlife.The SRPE Reserve covers over 9,000 acres. It has 4 TH, all accessible from Clinton Keith Rd, which provides access to over 25 trails and roads. There are no drinking fountains at any of the THs, and only the visitor center offers bathrooms year-round. The Vernal Pools may have bathrooms seasonally. This system is ideal for taking a short hike without having to drive a long distance or deal with the vastness that comes with many national parks and Forests.

Hike
The Granite Loop Trail is best accessed from the visitor center and begins in the midsection of the parking lot. This trail is a true loop, so you can start from either the north or south side of the lot at the signed trailhead. This is a short hike, so the trail will be touching all points of the compass in quick order. The trail is composed of compact dirt with a fine, soft layer on top and occasional large embedded granite boulders. Going clockwise, the trail drops down from the parking lot and at the .08 miles passes through a collection of picnic tables. At 0.25 miles, there is a signed split in the trail. Going south takes you to the visitor center. But Granite Loop will head southeast and climb a small granite-studded hillock. This is the first of several such hills on this trail, none rise more than 20 feet, providing minimal views of the surrounding area.

At 0.45, the trail reaches another split; one is an unsigned spur that quickly leads to a couple of benches underneath a tree. The Granite Trail continues straight, crossing the Waterline Rd. Trail at 0.48 miles. At this point, the trail will start to pass through some small meadow-ish regions. This is typically the lower sections of the trail, so the views are isolated by the surrounding hills and taller brush. In the next 0.5 miles, there will be 4 boardwalks/bridges crossing lowlands or washes that might be prone to flooding. This is probably more the exception than the norm. Around 0.7 miles, the trail will turn back towards the TH and will negotiate several small, shrubbed and granite-studded hills, very similar to the one encountered earlier. At 1.06, you crest the final hill and are looking down at the parking area.

Synopsis
This is a decent trail that is easily accessible and provides a nice glimpse of what this reserve has to offer. The views are limited, but the brief exposure to the meadows, oaks, and granite outcroppings makes up for it. Unlike some of the other nearby trails (roads) at this TH, this is a nice single-track trail. There are several benches (and spurs to benches) along the way. Plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wildlife and relative solitude. However, if you are going to be paying $6 to utilize this TH, I would recommend this only as a starting point. Take a picture of the trail map found at the TH and explore some of the other trails this reserve has to offer.

2025-07-18 mt98dew