Hiking Trail Guide: California Citrus SHP, Interpretative Trail

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California Citrus SHP, Interpretative Trail

Distance
1.3 miles

Elevation
80 feet gain

Difficulty
2/10

City
Riverside ,CA (92501) Weather Map

Trailhead
From the 91 Freeway, turn off at Arlington Blvd. Proceed southeast (following the signs) to Dufferin Avenue. (There is a large display on the corner of Dufferin and Arlington. Make the first right into the park and turn left into the first parking lot.

Start at the Gazebo where you can find maps of the park and, sometimes, a trail guide.

Description

Development is still underway in this unique park, dedicated to the once vast Southern California citrus industry. The trail takes you through orange groves and irrigation works. Along the way you will see smudge pots (which were used for warming the groves during frosts), rusting farm machinery, original packing boxes, and a varietal garden featuring oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes, kumquats, tangerines, and bizarre hybrids like the thumbnail sized mandrinquat.

From the top of the knolls you can see Mounts San Antonio, San Bernardino, and San Gorgonio on clear days. (Smog is heaviest in the summertime.) Your walk ends on a flood-style irrigation work next to the historic Gage Canal. Before walking back to your car, take a few moments to check out the Visitor Center where many of the rangers who have worked in the citrus industry can tell you how the orchards were run and how they went broke in the end. Docents sometimes lead tours and give talks, too.

Map / Directions: