🎃 Pumpkin Rock (Halloween Hike)

Location & Background "Pumpkin Rock" is located in Norco, Southern California (Riverside County), not in downtown Los Angeles. This giant rock was originally a gray boulder, later painted by locals into a pumpkin shape with a "Jack Skellington"-style face—making it a unique local landmark! 🎃✨ There are two main routes to reach Pumpkin Rock. Here’s the one I took: Pumpkin Rock Hike (Vandermolen Dr Entrance) 📍 Basic Info: • Trail Name: Pumpkin Rock Hike (via Vandermolen Dr) • Address: 2662 Vandermolen Dr, Norco, CA 92860 • Type: Out & Back • Round-Trip Distance: ~1.4–1.6 miles • Elevation Gain: ~350–380 ft (approx. 100–115 m) • Average Time: 40–60 minutes (may take ~70 mins with kids) • Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (short steep sections included) 🅿️ Parking Tips: • Park legally along Vandermolen Dr (watch for "No Parking" signs and avoid blocking driveways). • No dedicated parking lot or public restrooms—recommend using facilities elsewhere (like Pikes Peak Park) beforehand. • The trailhead is an obvious dirt path—easy to spot! ⸻ 🎃 The other route starts from the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center (see Map 1). The trail begins at the far end of the equestrian center’s parking area. It’s a wide, sandy path that starts almost flat and is very easy to walk. Along the way, you might see horseback riders—Norco is known as "Horsetown USA," adding to its charm! 🐎 As the trail gradually ascends, city noises fade, replaced by valley breezes and sweeping views. This route is about 2.6 miles round-trip (~4.2 km) with ~400 ft (120 m) of elevation gain—generally gentle slopes. From the top at Pumpkin Rock, you can enjoy panoramic views of Norco town and the Inland Empire valley—wide open and beautiful! 🌄 Have you hiked to Pumpkin Rock or have another favorite seasonal trail in SoCal? Share your experience below! 🍂👻 #LAPumpkinRock #LifeInTheUSA #HikeTheWorld #DayHike #Halloween #HalloweenHike #NorcoLandmark #InlandEmpireViews #FamilyHike #SoCalHiking #FallVibes #JackSkellingtonStyle #EasyHike #ScenicOverlook #ExploreRiverside #USAHiking