Welcome to the Open Door Trail
This challenging trail begins on the Church of the Open Door property and winds its way up 1.1 miles, connecting to the Glendora Ridge Motorway, about a 1,000 foot gain in elevation.
The Open Door Trail has restored hiking access to the ridge, to the cross, and also east to Glendora Mountain Road. This is access that was lost when the Garcia Trail closed in 2014.
All we ask is for common sense trail use. Be thoughtful, don’t litter, and have fun! The Open Door Trail was built to bless our community!
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3
Steve Sidenfaden
Project Leader
626-222-5531
GATE HOURS: open 5:45am – close 9pm
PARKING: located at the Church of the Open Door overflow parking lot (adjacent to the trailhead)
OPEN DOOR TRAIL STATS:
1,100 ft – trailhead elevation
1985’ ft – Glendora Ridge Motorway intersection elevation
2081’ ft – Azusa Peak Cross / bench elevation
981’ ft – elevation gain
1.1 miles – trail distance
SKILL LEVEL: hard
VIEWS: continuous San Gabriel Valley views and beyond
METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION: hand built
TOOLS USED: McLeods, picks, shovels, rakes, electric chainsaws, loppers, pruners
TRAIL HISTORY
The dream of building a new trail to the cross started to become a reality in January of 2021. During a time of uncertainty, isolation and division, a group of about 35 volunteers joined together and began work on this trail, with a hope of uniting our local community through hiking.
The trail construction progressed and eventually connected to the ridge with a more narrow, but hike-able trail in early May of 2021. Trail improving and widening continued.
Over the following year, local hikers started hearing about the trail. Many of these new friends joined the construction team. Benches were built and anchored to the hillside at several locations along the route.
Trail improvements will continue until the vision is complete.
TRAIL TIMELINE
October 2020: scouting and planning began
January 2021: a small group began construction and the final route was flagged through the brush up to the ridge
March 2021: a large group joined construction
May 2021: the improved trail was connected to the Glendora Ridge Motorway
October 2021: bench installed at 0.7 miles, @1,771 ft.
November 2021: bench installed at 0.3 miles, @1,443 ft.
December 2021: picnic bench installed at 0.2 miles, @1,345 ft.
July 2022: bench installed on Azusa Peak @2081’ ft.
6 Comments
Richard Dixon
The climb sounds challenging and very tempting. I am one of the elderly walkers that have walked on Friday mornings since 2013. Some day maybe.
Leo Spengler
My dad and I hiked the trail today. I used to hike Garcia all the time in high school: over ten years ago. It felt amazing being back up there today. Thank you for bringing back this great trail!
Katherine Weber
I really enjoyed this trail as well as the inspirational signs along the way. Thank you so much for this.
Steve Quatro
Steve and COD,
Thank you for your hard work that is giving joy to many.
Mike Padilla
I recently started hiking this trail and I love it. Treat yourself to the beautiful view at the top. It’s worth the effort
Steve Oldham
As an active geocacher and ardent hiker and outside enthusiast, this is a great contribution. The last time I parked GMR to access the ridge trail, my car was vandalized and it put me off to parking there anymore. I love being able to come to a safe and loving space and hike with confidence and freedom of mind. The services at the church are pretty amazing too, I’ve attended a few.