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Laguna
Beach
Crystal
Cove's El Moro Canyon
Back in the 30's, the Irvine Company,
which ran cattle up in the canyons of
the San Joaquin Hills, rented out a quiet
stretch of beach north of Laguna Beach
to vacationers who built an electric group
of 45 rustic structures along the coast.
The cattle are gone, but most of the historic
beach structures, now owned by the state,
remain. Across the highway, a 9-mile loop
through El Moro Canyon climbs steeply
through thick coastal sage habitat of
wild mustard and flamboyant artichoke
thistle. In the spring, the dry hills
break out in blossoms of monkey flower,
laurel sumac, and wildflowers. Hike the
trail counterclockwise following the natural
contours of the canyon and ridgeline.
Beware of mountain bikers who like to
test themselves on the steep descents
of this popular multi-use track. Where:
Crystal Cove State Park is about 1 mile
north of Laguna Beach off Pacific Coast
Highway (State 1). When: Year-Round; spring
for wildflowers. Distance: 9-mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate Cost: $5 parking
Contact (949) 494-3539 Views, Wildflowers,
Horses Allowed, Mountain Biking
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Mission
Viejo
Santiago
Peak via Holy Jim Trail
The journey truly is more important than
the destination on this long climb to
the top of the highest peak (5,687 ft.)
in the low-lying Santa Ana Mountains.
The trail follows a creek for the first
mile or so to popular Holy Jim Falls.
If you are accompanied by children, the
2 and a half mile round-trip hike to this
cool grotto is perfect. From the falls,
a hard climb up the canyon through chaparral
hills and beneath a few old oaks takes
you to shady Bear Spring (5 miles from
trailhead). It's difficult scramble to
the summit, but the 360 degree view of
the San Gabriel Mountains, San Jacinto
Mountains, and Channel Islands is worth
it. Where: From I-5 take El Toro Rd. east
7 and a half miles to Live Oak Canyon
Rd.; turn right. A mile past O'Neill Regional
Park, turn left on unpaved Trabuco Canyon
Rd.; go 5 miles to trailhead. When: Cool,
misty mornings December-May Distance:
About 16 miles round trip to peak. Cost:
$5 parking Contact:
Trabuco District Office (909) 736-1811Dogs
allowed, Heat/Sun Exposure, Views, Waterfalls
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Lake
Forest
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Weather-worn 100-foot sandstone cliffs
that were once part of the ocean floor
are the main attraction in this nearly
2,000-acre park, but the diverse wildlife
and terrain make this loop a hiker's
favorite. Borrego Trail funnels you
through a shady canyon bottom, crossing
in and out of several habitats: oak
woodland, fragrant coastal sage scrub,
grasslands. Make a right on Mustard
Road; a side trail up spectacular Red
Rock Canyon is on the left. Continue
east to Four Corners, then through Serrano
Canyon via Whiting and Serrano roads
back to Portola Pkwy. Recent acquisition
of Lower Serrano Canyon gives you direct
access to an additional 22 miles of
hiking trails in adjacent O'Neill Regional
Park via a pedestrian tunnel. Where:
From I-5 take Lake Forest Dr. north
5 and a half miles to Portola Pkwy.;
turn left, go half a mile, make a right
on Market Place, then an immediate left
to parking. When: December-May, when
native plants green up and creeks are
running Distance: Loop is about 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy Caution: Watch for
mountain lions and rattlesnakes. FYI:
Closed for 48 hours after substantial
rain. Cost: $2 parking Contact: (949)
589-4729 Family hike, Wildflowers, Bird-watching,
Horses Allowed, Mountain Biking
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