A good trail for desert riders who want a change from cactus to pine trees.  The gain in elevation is 2100 feet and riders are rewarded with fantastic views in all directions. 

HISTORY

This trail is named in honor of the Indian girl immortalized by author Helen Hunt Jackson in her novel Ramona, written in 1884.  The novel is a fictionalized account of true events based on the life of the half Indian, half white girl who turned her back on the wealthy people that raised her because of their cruelty to her Indian lover.  After being falsely accused of horse stealing, her husband was murdered and the Cahuilla Indians cared for Ramona.  This incident was supposed to have occurred during 1883 in the Garner Valley, San Jacinto mountain area. Many thousands have read the book and have also attended the Ramona Pageant that is held in the natural amphitheater in Hemet. 

LOCATION

Entrance to the trailhead and parking is at a cattle gate off Highway 74, four miles West of S.R.#371, when coming from Palm Desert. The gate is eight miles from the town of Mountain Center .  Watch for the “RAMONA” Forest Service sign on your right when coming from Mountain Center, on your left if coming from Palm Desert . The sign at the trailhead is 3E26. 

The Ramona Trail features a good ten mile round trip ride on a moderately steep, easy to follow single track trail.  Riders enter the trail by riding west from the parking area on the dirt road until you come to an unmarked but very distinct trail going off up the hill to the left. The trail climbs toward the crest of the mountain on a series of well-engineered  switchbacks.  The climb is through chaparral and ribbonwood before it reaches the Thomas Mountain fire road.  At the top, riders reach Tool Box Spring, a good place for a canteen or lunch break at the picnic tables.  Restrooms are available.  Horses will have to be high-lined. Another mile down the road is the Ramona camp, another area with picnic tables.

Overnight camping is allowed at the Tool Box Spring location. 

RULES

Standard rules apply:  Dogs on leashes, No smoking on trails, please do not disturb wildlife, No grazing of horses.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS IS A MULTI USE TRAIL.

Please call ahead for current trail conditions

Weather can change unexpectedly