more stats
2,254 ft
Distance
134 ft
Climb
-3 ft
Descent
00:04:09
Avg time
132 ft
Altitude change
439 ft
Altitude min
571 ft
Altitude max
439 ft
Altitude start
571 ft
Altitude end
5.8%
Grade
-6.3%
Grade max
17.5%
Grade min
1,670 ft
Distance climb
85 ft
Distance down
482 ft
Distance flat
00:04:09
Avg time

Escalator Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Tijeras Creek Trails
    Mission Viejo, California
  • AKA
    Elevator
  • Difficulty Rating
    Green Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Green (3 votes)
  • Local Popularity
    95 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 65 in Trail Running
    • 90 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #53119 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #144830 in Trail Running
    • #118256 in Hiking
  • State Ranking
    #1,603 in Mountain Biking · California [+]
    • #7,386 in Trail Running
    • #6,583 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    Jan-Dec
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm, Drop, Jump
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Year Opened
    2016

A more fun way to do loops of Waterworks and Spitfire. It is overgrown in some spots but is clear most of the way. there are 3-4 switchbacks with a few corners that are not packed in.

Access Info

take a right after passing through the bushes next to Cosmo's

Tags
BermsDropsJumps

Local Trail Association

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 3 rides
  • 14 miles average
6 Months
  • 110 rides
  • 12 miles avg distance
All
  • 1,603 rides
  • Last: Nov 11, 2026
c1c2c3c4
January
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Status:
on Sep 13, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 3.88 (11 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (15,835)
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      Directions to escalator-52295 trailhead (33.579530, -117.636960)
      View on Discover Map 3D Tour

      Photos

      2 more »
      mtb
      78 |
      Nov 11, 2025 @ 4:54pm
      Nov 11, 2025
      mtb
      163 |
      Aug 25, 2016 @ 10:35am
      Aug 25, 2016

      Videos

      9 more »
      Tijeras Creek Trails: Plumber's Crack |...
      mtb
      27:01 | 42 | Apr 25, 2025 , Mission Viejo
      Are You Missing Out on These Underrated OC Trails?
      mtb
      24:16 | 248 | Jan 31, 2024 , Mission Viejo
      Elevator Climb in Ladera Ranch, CA - Mountain...
      mtb
      6:08 | 323 | Dec 9, 2021 , Mission Viejo
      youtuber A Ride With A New View, Chapter 2: MTB Riding...
      mtb
      2:06 | 347 | Nov 18, 2021 , Mission Viejo

      Routes with this trail

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      dabeasttrail
      ★ 5.0 • 4 miles • 289 ft • 5 •
      nbfbncfgxdfzsdfzfdsxftdcbjhvghcfgxfdzdsasdasdasdafdsasdfafsdasfdza
      510
      LR-WW-O'N Trail Plan
      10 miles • 1,248 ft • 15 • Point to Point •
      This is a route starting from Ladera Ridge. This goes to Antonio parkway where you go to the Water Works...
      768
      Ladera Ranch Flow
      9 miles • 970 ft • 21 • Loop •
      Parking in the water district, you start down the new Waterworks drop in, then take Escalator back up the...
      3.8 ★★★★★
      11 Ratings
      5 ★ 27%
      4 ★ 36%
      3 ★ 27%
      2 ★ 9%
      1 ★

      4 Reviews & Comments

      MTBMOR MTBMOR
      Escalator is open and as clear as can be
      949er 949er
      Overgrowth on upper half has been trimmed back
      socalstokie socalstokie
      The overgrown bushes really hurt my legs

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      Nearby Trails

      Tijeras Creek Trails

      • By socalstokieTF Pro & contributors
      • #52295 - 2,422 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Escalator located?
      Escalator is located in Tijeras Creek Trails, Mission Viejo, California, United States. It is part of the Tijeras Creek Trails trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 33.57953, -117.63696.
      ▼ How hard is Escalator?
      Escalator is rated as Green difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 5.8%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Escalator?
      Escalator has 134 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 3 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 439 ft to 571 ft.
      ▼ Is Escalator a point to point trail?
      Escalator is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Escalator?
      Escalator is 2,254 ft long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Escalator?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Escalator. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Escalator?
      Escalator is best visited during: Jan-Dec.
      ▼ How do I access Escalator? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Escalator are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Escalator?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 4 minutes to ride Escalator. The trail is 2,254 ft long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Escalator?
      Escalator is a very popular trail. There have been 12,181 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 15,835 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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