Salt Creek Trail officially opens for public use next week

By Doug Spoon, Editor

A recreational trail that has been used by residents for months as crews put finishing touches on it should be officially open for use by Dec. 31, a county official said.

Salt Creek Trail has been in Riverside County’s General Plan since the 1990s. It is finally becoming a reality, with the first four-mile segment completed in Menifee. The trail will eventually stretch from Goetz Road on the west to State Street in Hemet to the east. Menifee’s portion was constructed as a 12-foot-wide paved surface along the north side of Salt Creek, stretching from Goetz Road to Antelope Road.

Although the hiking and biking trail has been easily accessible for months, “trail closed” signs have been posted as crews completed construction. This included the installation of traffic signals to assist trail users when they cross Bradley Road, Murrieta Road and Normandy Road. Those signals became active this week.

The 16-mile trail is one of five essential trails that have been identified in the circulation element of the county’s General Plan and part of the Regional Backbone Network of trails identified in the county’s Parks District’s Comprehensive Trails Plan, said Kyla Brown, Riverside County Parks Director. The first segment of the Salt Creek Trail is funded by a $5 million grant from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program, she said.

Local hikers make good use of existing dirt trails leading into the Menifee hills west of Menifee Road at Simpson Road; west of Valley Boulevard and McCall Boulevard; and west of the 215 Freeway at Keller Road, among others. The wide, flat paved surface of the Salt Creek Trail makes it an easier hike for less experienced hikers as well as bicyclists. Portions of the trail will include a soft surface for equestrian use.

The east entrance to the trail can be accessed at Antelope Road and Aldergate Drive, across the street from the entrance to The Oasis retirement community. The trail runs under the 215 Freeway and along the northern border of Salt Creek, allowing hikers and bikers to use crosswalks at Bradley Road, Murrieta Road and Normandy Road to continue heading west.

"Menifee is a family-oriented city that enjoys healthy outdoor activities,” Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman said. “Hiking, biking and equestrian trails are key components to our recreational lifestyle. This will be another jewel in Menifee’s crown."

In 2012, Zimmerman began serving on the County's Trails Committee and as a District Advisory Commissioner representing Fifth District Supervisor Marion Ashley until his appointment as Menifee Mayor in 2018. Menifee residents Rick Croy and Tom Giedroyce represent current Fifth District County Supervisor Jeff Hewitt on the Trails Commission.

“The Salt Creek Trail was envisioned 30 years ago as a unique opportunity to use this natural watercourse to provide recreational assets and connectivity between communities,” Croy said. “Menifee is fortunate to finally see it come to fruition through the advocacy and cooperation between the County and Menifee's Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission.

“The Trail also helps Menifee's [Active] Transportation Plan by providing ways for citizens to either commute or recreate in non-motorized vehicles. Mayor Bill and I are excited to see this multi-purpose asset completed and look forward to seeing it being used by hikers and bikers.”

Golf carts and motorcycles are not allowed; the trail is open from dawn to dusk. Pets are allowed as long as their owners pick up after them.

Other segments of the trail will be built as funding is acquired. One future trail segment, between Antelope Road and Menifee Road, is envisioned to run along the foothills on the north side of The Oasis development. A conceptual design of the Salt Creek Trail through that segment has not yet been developed. Most of the property along the foothills is privately owned by the homeowners association for The Oasis, Brown said.

A senior living development is currently under construction at the northeast corner of Antelope Road and Aldergate Drive. As part of that development, a trail easement will be recorded over the north end of that property, but no specific trail improvements are proposed as part of the development, according to Brown.

Zimmerman and Croy expressed their pleasure in seeing segments of the trail named in honor of former Trails Commissioners Lynn Mattocks and Marty Rosen.

"Lynn and Marty both advocated for trails in Menifee, so it's rewarding to know they are being recognized for their service,” Zimmerman said. "We are grateful to the County of Riverside for delivering this brand new opportunity for the community to enjoy.”

Although the trail is scheduled to be officially open Dec. 31, Brown said a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be delayed because of COVID-19 restrictions.

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 Signals allowing users of Salt Creek Trail to cross Bradley Road are now active.

At the east entrance to the Salt Creek Trail, users take a winding path under the 215 Freeway.