Bane Canyon, located in Chino Hills State Park, comes alive with flowers in the spring. In this moderate loop hike, you'll leave the crowds behind and circle picturesque Bane Canyon. Along the way, you'll enjoy the landscape of Chino Hills, views of the high mountains, and hopefully, lots of colorful flowers. It's a fun hike that's doable by most folks in decent shape.
In this Guide:
Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Bane Canyon Loop Trail
Getting to the Bane Canyon Loop Trail in Chino Hills State Park
Although the hike takes place within Chino Hills State Park, you can park just outside the park's North Entrance on the street, and it's free. Use this trailhead address: 4730 Sapphire Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709
There is street parking with intermittent "no parking" areas.There is also some parking just past the park entrance.
You'll see cars driving up Bane Canyon Road into the park. Bane Canyon Road is paved and open to motor vehicles. We'll be hiking on it for a short stretch and then leaving it behind for the trails.
Gear For the Hike
This is a moderate hike that can be done in hiking for fitness clothing. It can get hot in the summer, so bring 2L of water and sun protection. There is no shade on the hike. There can be overgrown sections of trail, so wear insect repellant and long pants if you don't want to brush up against anything.
Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.
As always, please stay on the official trails and avoid the use trails.
If you do an internet search for the Bane Canyon hike, you'll likely see various options. Most routes will have you going down the paved road and then coming back on Bane Ridge Trail. For me, this is probably the worst route you can take. There are cars, lots of people, and limited views. The loop that I outline in this guide may be a mile or two longer, but it's infinitely nicer and has you get away from the crowds for a good portion of the hike.
If it's been a wet winter or spring, some of these trails can be overgrown in the spring.
This is a hike of ups and downs, without any major elevation change. There are some short, steep hills, but nothing major.
3D Map
This guide has you hiking clockwise on a loop surrounding Bane Canyon, which is where the road in the middle goes through.
Bane Canyon Loop Hike Directions
Start the hike by heading up Bane Canyon Road by the park sign.Be careful as you hike up the road, there are cars here.The road is steep but doable.On the day that I shot this guide (in April) the black mustard (Brassica nigra) was out in force. These yellow mustard plants are an invasive species found all over Southern California. There are other wildflowers along the route as well, including the California poppy. Different flowers bloom at different times. It's hard to say what you'll end up seeing along the hike.At the top of the climb, make the hard left onto the East Fence Line Trail. We'll be ending the loop on the trailhead on the right later.Leave the crowds behind and start climbing up the East Fence Line Trail.It's a gradual climb.And when you gain the ridge you'll have sweeping views down into Bane Canyon on your right.You'll cross the ridge and get views to the east.Look for the right turn before a short uphill. It can be hard to see when the vegetation is tall.And now start hiking along the ridge above Bane Canyon.At the junction, keep right.If you look back you'll have sweet views of Mt Baldy.And you'll be able to see the park entrance and road down to the right.This part of the hike is one of my favorite parts. The trail follows the spine of the ridge.Keep hiking along the spine.And at the junction, make the left onto the Pomona Trail.The Pomona Trail is wide but still scenic.When you get to the wind vane, make the hard right back onto the East Fence Line Trail.Here's a closeup of that last junction looking down the East Fence Line Trail.This is one of the more remote sections of Chino Hills State Park, and the trail usually has high growth. Even though the plants are high, the trail is always easy to follow and well-trodden.You'll wind around some gullies, some of which still show the scars of fire damage from the 2020 Blue Ridge Fire.And true to it's name, you'll actually hike along the fence, which is the border of the park.Go straight through at the intersection fo the Slaughter Canyon Trail.The landscape is stunning in this section.When the trail ends at the Longwayaround Trail, make the left.And shortly after that, make the right onto the Corral Trail.Hike down the Corral Trail.From here to the far end of the loop, you have a nice downhill.Make the right at the big trail.And then make the left onto the paved road.
You can also go straight across the road to the "equestrian staging area" trail if it's open. Otherwise head up the paved road.
Look for a right turn on a wide road into the Horse Staging area. It's just after a small parking lot.Go through the horse staging area, staying right.The trail is at the end of the staging area. There's also a bathroom here.Avoid the side trail on the right and go straight on Bane Ridge Trail.From here to the end, the Bane Ridge Trail is a series of rolling hills with nice views.At the power lines, go straight through, up and over the hill.There are a couple of little leg burner climbs before the end.Keep going straight on Bane Ridge Trail.And eventually you'll come back to Bane Canyon Road where you started the first half of the loop earlier.Head back down the paved road to your car. That's it!