Schabarum Regional Park Hiking Guide
Peter F. Schabarum Regional Park sits at the base of the Puente Hills in Rowland Heights, and behind its picnic areas and ball fields a trail system climbs steeply into open grassland ridges. The views from up top take in the San Gabriel Valley, the mountains behind it, and on clear days a long stretch of the basin. It is an unglamorous, genuinely useful local hill — the kind of place you go when you need a real climb without driving an hour to find one.
Park Facilities and Access
The main entrance is off Colima Road, with a large parking area, restrooms, picnic tables, and playing fields. There may be a parking fee on weekends and holidays depending on current county policy, so check the signage at the entrance. The trails leave from the back of the developed area and climb almost immediately. Park gate hours apply, and as with any gated lot, note the closing time before you head uphill.
The Climb into the Puente Hills
The trails gain roughly 800 feet climbing onto the ridge system, on wide dirt paths and fire roads that are steep in sections and offer essentially no shade. The hills are grassland and coastal sage scrub, which means they are brilliant green after winter rain and golden-brown by May. Several route options and loops exist within the park, so a first visit benefits from a map or a look at the trailhead board to understand how they connect.
Skyline Trail Connection
Schabarum is the western anchor for the Schabarum-to-Skyline Trail, a long ridge route running east through the Puente Hills toward the Whittier and Hacienda Heights area. Hikers looking for serious distance can use the park as a start point for a substantial point-to-point day, which requires a car shuttle and real planning. For most visitors the park's own loops provide plenty, but knowing the connection exists opens up bigger options.
Wildlife and Setting
The Puente Hills corridor is an important wildlife linkage in a heavily urbanized region, supporting deer, bobcats, coyotes, and a documented mountain lion presence. Sightings of the larger animals are rare but the habitat value is real, and it is part of why the open space here has been protected. Rattlesnakes are common on the warm grassland slopes from spring through fall — stay on the trail and watch where you place hands and feet on rocky sections.
Heat, Season, and Equestrians
Fall through spring is the season. The exposed grassland ridges get very hot from late spring onward and there is no shade or water on the trails. Winter after rain is the best time by a wide margin, with green hills and clear air. The park has significant equestrian use, so expect horses on the trails and yield appropriately — step off the trail on the downhill side, stand still, and speak so the horse knows you are a person. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Hiking tips for Schabarum Regional Park
- Check the gate hours and any weekend parking fee at the entrance before heading uphill, since the lot is inside the gate.
- Come in winter after rain, when the grassland ridges are green and the air is clear enough to see across the whole valley.
- Watch for rattlesnakes on the warm rocky sections from spring through fall, and keep hands and feet where you can see them.
- Yield to horses by stepping off on the downhill side, standing still, and speaking so the animal recognizes you as a person.
- Look at the trailhead map on a first visit — the park has several interconnecting loops that are easy to confuse.
Nearby trails to explore
- Powder Canyon
- Turnbull Canyon
- Hellman Park
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Schabarum is the San Gabriel Valley's most underrated climb, minutes from the 60. Use TrailMates to find Rowland Heights and Hacienda Heights hikers doing morning ridge loops or planning the full Skyline point-to-point. Download the TrailMates app.