The Great Pumpkin Rock Hike

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Norco, Ca

Trail-head: Pikes Peak Park (111 Sixth St, Norco, CA 92860) or 3402 Vandermolen Dr, Norco, CA 92860… In fact there are many trails that will take you to the top, these two are the most convenient. The park offers bathrooms, water, etc.

Elevation change: approx: 400′

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: approx. 45 minutes — trail is locked down at dusk if you take it from the park, so be sure to get there before sunset. (We had to hop a fence to make it out)

Dog and horse friendly. Not stroller friendly.

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Pumpkin Rock located in Norco, Ca is a giant boulder painted like a large jack-o-latern, or orange Jack Skellington. This day hike is a perfect fall/Halloween hike, although it can and should be done year round. It’s such a unique hike with a very picturesque ending.

This 1.7 mile out and back hike is heavily trafficked. It starts right next to the animal shelter, street parking. You can also use Pike’s Peak Park which offers a lot, bathrooms, and drinking fountain, as well as a park and take a 1-2 minute walk to the trailhead.

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Although there are numerous trails that will each take you to the top of the large pumpkin. Another shorter yet steeper option starts once you pass the shelter and trail head; there you will see a large dirt path leading up the side of the mountain. The “great pumpkin” is located on the hillside above the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center in Norco, California You can take the dirt path located off Vandermolen (near Crestview Dr) directly up the mountain. This trail takes approx. 10-15 minutes to summit.

I wouldn’t recommend this as a summer hike due the fact that there is no shade, unless you go early morning or in the evening. Be sure to pack plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen, and closed toe shoes as the trail is all dirt and dust. It is slippery on the rock where gravel covers the ground, so good shoes are important.

This is a short hike and pretty easy for families. We recently took our family to hike it, because, tis’ the season, and the 3 year old, 6 year old and 9 year old each did it unassisted with just a hand to hold as we chose the steeper, faster trail. We carried the baby in a hiking backpack carrier. I highly recommend investing in a good backpack if you are a hiker, or looking to do more outside activities. We have one like THIS and it has been a fabulous investment, allowing us to do multiple trails that are not stroller friendly.

Pumpkin rock is definitely a unique and incredibly fun hike. If you go off season (not around Halloween, it is usually covered in graffiti and some broken glass). However, around October/November it is usually very clean, thanks to volunteers who know it taken more at this time. This is a great hike to start at if you are a newbie and a great novelty hike for seasoned hikers. But one thing is for certain and that is it’s fun for everyone.

Take a hike and send me your photo! or leave it in the comments below!

For more fun family friendly hikes in Southern California check out THIS POST.