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.
18 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.
Rosa Maria
Have you done the trail yet?
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” Pilippians 4:13
God bless you
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.
Jim Jacobs
This is a great trail and a good little workout- it takes about an hour to go up and down.
Thanks to all those who made this trail possible.
Dave Guild
I have run this trail every week since it was first built. A challenging run, great views, super Bible verses, and the feeling of getting away from it all make this my favorite run. Many thanks to Steve and all who were involved in this project. God’s blessings to all of you
Sebastian
Great way to start the day – enjoying God’s scenery and little inspiring bible quotes along the way . The view from the cross is amazing in a clear morning. Take a moment to sit and listen to God’s sounds on one of the benches along the way , it provides an escape from city sounds.
Eric Dickens
Get ready for an incredible hike with incredible views and incredible pains that turn into incredible pleasures when you get to the top and see Avalon on a clear day!
Nicole allan
I first visited this trail because I wanted to see the cross new to sobriety as well as hiking. I found a connection to both there periodically. Still do visit and hike the trail. It’s such a blessing.
Dan Hyke
Thank you for opening this trail for the entire community. This reflects the true spirit of Jesus Christ who loved everyone and accepted everyone into his community. This trail will bring all of us together.
Phil Ammar
I’m a runner who enjoys taking on hills. But I’d be happy if I were able to just walk it. Either way, maybe someday. God willing. Amen!
Jo Stroup
I hiked the trail with my cousin on Thursday, May 15, 2025. What a wonderful and challenging experience! I am from the Central Florida area and we don’t have elevations like beautiful California. Thank you so much for rebuilding the trail. And thank you for the Scripture signs and benches along the way. It was a truly spiritual experience and a blessing I’ll never forget.
Dave J.
Hiked the trail today for the first time. It’s a great trail, but relentlessly steep in most places. The views of the San Gabriel Valley are fantastic, so be sure to bring binoculars. Watching the ravens play in the updraft at the cross was pretty cool too. On a side note, I’m curious as to who has the fastest ascent on the trail.
Steve
A lot of the hikers use wind Fitness Tracking apps like Strava or All Trails. Many of their top times are listed there.
Nubia
Wow, I hiked Garcia Trail a few times a week, sometimes going up and down twice back to back . I had no idea about this blessing. I’ll be there asap. I genuinely was searching to see if Garcia was rebuilt. God is Great!