Trail Stats
Mileage (r.t.)	1.42
Trailhead	1040'
GMR	1580'
Total gain	540'
Gain per mi.	760'

Colby Trail is a prime example of the fruit seen from various communities along the foothills as they endeavor to redeem open space and provide public access to natural environment. Over the decades the hills above Glendora had been increasingly planted with houses. In 1989 a developer had designs on building homes on some flat benches on the hillside north of Loraine Avenue. In the process of preparing an environmental impact report, a botanist discovered that the site was host to the rare thread-leaved brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia). Because the plant is an endangered species protected by both the State of California and the Federal Government, the proposed development could not go forward. In this context, the Glendora Community Conservancy was founded, acquired grants, and purchased the land, preserving and protecting the brodiaea reserve and surrounds as open space in perpetuity.

Today Colby Trail is not something that an avid hiker would want to drive very far to access. Its network of trails provides a maximum loop hike of only about 3 miles. But it's a fine local trial for walkers, joggers, doggers, bicyclers, and even local hikers who want a good workout between real hikes. And in the springtime after some good rains, the lush green hillsides, beautiful wildflowers, and stunning views of the communities below and mountains beyond make this trail a real winner.

Season: All Year

This hike is best done in the winter or spring when the hills are green, the temperatures are pleasant, and the air is clear. The spring offers an array of wildflowers. There is little shade in the upper two thirds of the route, so this hike can be punishing on a hot summer day. If you go in the summer, try daybreak or early evening. Early in the summer the "June gloom" (marine layer, coastal fog) can make nice walking conditions but also can greatly obscure your views.

Getting to the Trailhead:

In Glendora travel to Sierra Madre Avenue (which runs east and west along the foothills). Turn north (toward the mountains) on Loraine Avenue (which is about a half mile west of Valley Center Avenue and about 1.5 miles east of Grand). Drive about a half mile on Loraine until it deadends at the marked trailhead in a residential area. Park on the street and please be respectful of those who live there. Trail hours are daylight to dusk.

Trail Description:

Walk northeast through the stone gateway to begin your hike. Your first stretch of trail enjoys a riparian plant community nourished by a seasonal creek and shaded by sycamore, oak, bay, and black walnut. After the first hundred yards the trial begins to ascend aggressively. After 0.22 mile you reach a four-way junction. To the left (west) through the stone gateway is the brodiaea reserve (see below). On the right, the trail heads east toward the "berm" and the lower part of the loop. But continue straight to follow Colby Trail.

Oak-lined Trail - Lower section of Colby Trail. View Larger photo.

In a couple minutes the trail cuts to the right, crosses the stream bed and climbs east. Within a minute you begin to get your first good views. As your round the bend to the north you look southeast and see where the trail to the "berm" connects with the paved service road — that is a route for one of the loop options (see below). The trail contours back to the north and in a few more minutes you reach a gate in a chain link fence on your right (east), 0.47 mile from the start. This route doubles back and connects to the paved service road you saw earlier, connects with the "berm" trail, and arrives back to the earlier four-way junction. But stay on the main trail as it cuts back to the left (west) and climbs to flat area on the ridge providing nice views west. The trail turns north. As you traverse this stretch of trail, notice the rock in the road-cut on the right. In a few more minutes you reach another trail junction, which provides another loop option using Colby-Dalton Trail, but stay on the main trail for another 260 feet to reach the top end of Colby Trail as it arrives at Glendora Mountain Road. If you turn left on the road and walk a few steps over to the bank, you are rewarded with splendid views of the surrounding foothills and the communities below. To complete your 1.42 mile hike, return the way you came.

Loop options:

Berm Trail / Colby-Dalton Trail
From the four-way stop 0.22 mile up the trail, turn right (east). Follow the trial as it crosses over the creek. In a couple minutes you'll see a spur trail taking off to the right (south) which leads past a small grove of oaks and unto a broad, flat ridge with splendid views over the communities below. Continue straight past the spur trail as the trail bends north and ascends the "berm," which essentially is the built up road bed. Turn right (south) and walk across the wide turnout to the paved service road. From here you have two options. Turning left, the road becomes dirt, contours to the north and west, ascending to meet the chain link gate on the mail trail.

A second option is to turn right, descending the paved road as it bends around the hillside heading east then northeast. Keep bearing left and ignore spur roads that cut right and left. Pass through a vehicle gate then begin to ascend north to arrive at the dam. Continue to follow the road, now dirt, as it descends along a chain-link fence adjacent to the flood basin. Near the bottom you'll see a single-track trail bearing left. This is Colby-Dalton Trail and is your route. The trail steeply climbs westerly through mature stands of oak and rich vegetation. After negotiating 14 switchbacks the trail arrives at the junction with the main Colby Trail, 260 yards shy of Glendora Mountain Road (right, north). There's a spur trail that bears left (south) out over a board ridge 100 yards to a view point. But to descend Colby Trail, veer right past the sign post then an immediate left onto the main trail (south) and descend 0.66 mile to the trailhead.

Of course another option is to climb Colby Trail 0.66 mile to just short of Glendora Mountain Road and follow this Colby-Dalton Trail back.

Brodiaea Reserve:

The endangered thread-leaved brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia) prompted the action of preserving all this area around Colby Trail as undeveloped. To view the thread-leaved brodiaea, when you arrive at the four-way junction 0.22 mile from the beginning of the trail, turn left (west) through the stone gate and follow the path to the grassy open space. The brodiaea is usually in bloom from early May into July. The six-pedal blossom is dark purple to magenta and about 1/2 inch in diameter. The plant grows up to 12 inches or more. The leaves are grass-like, thus the name, thread-leaved (the name "brodiaea" is in honor of the Scottish botanist James Brodie). This native plant is in the lily family (Liliaceae) and the leaves emerge from a bulb, usually beginning in January. Brodiaea filifolia is the official flower of the City of Glendora. If you visit the brodiaea reserve, please stay on the trail so as not to damage the plant. View Larger photo

View Full Area Map (116 K) Traffic - Looking south from upper section of Colby Trail. View Larger photo.

Trail Notes:

• Poison Oak - There is a lot of this obnoxious plant along the route, so be careful. Learn about poison oak here.
• Bike Traffic - These trails are popular with bicyclists. Technically pedestrians have the right of way, but common sense would dictate that you step aside and give them plenty of room to safely pass as they are blazing down the trail.

Related links on Dan's Hiking Pages and Blog:

• Dan's Hiking Blog: Colby Trail Hike - April 30, 2011
• Dan's Hiking Blog: Colby Trail Hike - May 20, 2012

Links:

• City of Glendora - Trails Information - Including maps and other information and links.

• Glendora Community Conservancy - This nonprofit, public benefit corporation works hard at acquisition, preservation, and protection of open space.