Hiking Trails

F

firsttimebuyer_IHB

New member
<p>I saw a topic about biking trails and wanted to see if anyone knows any good hiking trails in irvine, newport, or laguna. I usually go to Malibu.. Temescal Canyon and I love the view of the ocean when you get to the top..makes the soreness the next day totally worth it!! Anybody know of any similar trails in the OC? </p>
 
I'd be interested in this too. There are some trails in Trabuco Canyon I believe but as per my name I'm not from these parts so I've never been.
 
Wow I missed the biking thread? Bummer!



For local hiking, check out Laguna Wilderness park off the 133 and El Moro Park off PCH near Crystal Cove. Both are excellent local hiking spots with ocean views (and breezes).



I would avoid both of them for about a week though due to the rain we had the last three or so days.



The Trabuco Canyon area that NewToOC spoke of consists of three major trails: Holy Jim Trail, Trabuco Trail, and the Falls Trail. Its a bit of a drive (4 miles) off road to get to the trailhead but well worth it. Also be aware that you're sharing Holy jim and Trabuco with mountain bikers so don't sit down and have lunch in the middle of the path :)



To get there: Take the I5 North (from San Diego) and exit El Toro Road and head East. El Toro turns into Santiago Canyon Road. Make a right on Live Oak (Cooks Corner) and follow that a few miles. After you cross Trabuco Creek turn left onto the dirt road (you'll see a small parking area, this is where the mountain bikers park) and take it 4.5 miles to the trail head (very obvious, it is right after a concrete bridge.



You will need to bring your Cleavland National forest pass to park at the trailhead. If you don't have one, you can pick up a yellow envelope at the parking lot and fill it out. Usually costs $3.
 
I read? or heard? somewhere that you no can longer purchase the Forest Adventure pass at the Holy Jim parking area. Just pick one up ahead of time from REI or some other sporting goods store. It really is a long bumpy dirt road to get to the trail head but totally worth it IMO. I've never been there after it has rained but I've heard it gets really muddy. Get there early because the parking area gets quite packed later in the day. The Holy Jim trail is very well maintained and is a wonderful hike. The Trabuco trail is also pretty nice. After a long hike there, I always look forward to a refreshing cadillac margarita at the <a href="http://www.rosecanyoncantina.com/" target="_blank">Rose Canyon Cantina</a>. :)
 
I love El Moro Canyon, anyone who likes hiking should definitely go check that one out! Don't forget to bring some food to enjoy a picnic with ocean & mountain views!
 
Peter's Canyon-- Lake Loop is a nice walk. 2.5 miles. Parking = $3. Value option: park in the neighborhoods just off Skylark.





<img src="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lh3.google.com/_EPLx9wWWvp0/RoiOBjEb7VI/AAAAAAAAAiE/SwbrSgquivg/s800/Mountains%2Bto%2BOcean%2BRide%2B002.JPG&imgrefurl=http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/X5sIjwIYRmIXB1LUOVxgUg&h=676&w=800&sz=158&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=No6b5SmnjxkKxM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpeter%2527s%2Bcanyon%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D18%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN" alt="" />
 
I went to El Moro Canyon on Sunday, and i LOVED it. it was a beautiful day for hiking and i loved that there are so many trails to choose from. i did the 3.5 mile loop and found it very easy to follow the route because they had posted maps at all the forks. the only thing that sux is the $10 parking fee and what sucked even more was that when we were done, we went to stop by the office for some info and saw that it was closed with a sign that said the office was closed and you didnt have to pay for parking. so now i know if i dont want to pay the fee, to just arrive after 2pm.
 
<p>Just got back from a hike at the Holy Jim Falls - we really enjoyed it. You have to drive 4.5 miles on a dirt road to get to the hike, and you really should have a 4-wheel drive to get there. Very bumpy - but it was worth it. Nice waterfall at the end.</p>

<p><a target="Holy Jim Falls" href="http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/HolyJimFalls_4472.asp">http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/HolyJimFalls_4472.asp</a></p>

<p> We had lunch at Cook's Corner (biker bar). That was an experience!</p>

<p><a href="http://www.cookscorners.com/">http://www.cookscorners.com/</a></p>

<p>ISM, I didn't read your comment on the biking trails thread until after we got back from the hike (thanks though). The trails were open to the public. We need to get a pass in the future (I should have read Zovall's comment <u>before</u> we went on the hike).</p>
 
There are some great books at the library you can check out that are specifically about hikes in Southern California and Orange County as well.



But Crystal Cove is great. Just remember the $10 parking fee. Oh, and you can only do the beach side trails if has rained within 3 days of you going. They close all of the other trails due to mud. Found that one out the hard way a couple months ago. Then again, if you walk along the beach, you can reward yourself with a nice drink or snack at the Beachcomber Cafe.
 
[quote author="Irvine Soul Brother" date=1199758575]Peter's Canyon-- Lake Loop is a nice walk. 2.5 miles. Parking = $3. Value option: park in the neighborhoods just off Skylark. </blockquote>




I actually jog Peter's Canyon pretty regularly and love it there. Also, if you don't want to go all the way up Jamboree to the north entrance (coming from Irvine) there is free parking inside Tustin Ranch right down the street from Peters Canyon Elementary. I believe the street where you park on is actually called Peter's Canyon road. I keep telling myself to park at the north site so I can run around the lake. My route is getting boring.
 
There also is Limestone Canyon and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park near Bake and the 241.



It has been closed since the fires, but should be opening soon. I would do a hike there once a week or so after work before the fires. Looking forward to having it back.



http://www.ocparks.com/whitingranch/

http://www.ocparks.com/newsroom/default.asp?Show=1001851&subshow=A
 
Another couple of places for just good old walking would be the perimeter of Balboa Island. There is a walkway that goes around the whole island and over the canals. It takes about an hour. Perfect for an early morning walk. Take the ferry over to the peninsula and have a great breakfast at Charlie's Chile at Newport Pier.



Laguna Beach - Park at Las Brisas area. Bring quarters for the machines. Walk down to the sand and go south for about an hour. The homes on the cliffs are interesting. There are tons of tidepools along the way and you'll get to pass under a rock arch. Look up after you pass the arch and the home perched up there is unbelievable. Walk back and have breakfast at the "Beach House" with views looking over the ocean and really great food. Use the public access stairway to the left of the building in the sand.



For Holy Jim's - make sure you bring insect repellant. The mosquitoes are swarmy this time of the year and it makes stopping to enjoy the scenery a bit of a challenge.
 
NowWowway, is the Balboa Island walk/hike an hour going at a leisurely pace or at a good clip? We have family coming into town and they'd enjoy the scenery but won't walk fast or longer than an hour.
 
You can do it easily in less than an hour walking at a slow, leisurely pace. The circumference of Balboa Island is 1 3/4 miles. So, walking fast you can do it in half an hour. The connected Little Balboa Island has a circumference of just 3/4 of a mile. So, you could walk both in less than an hour at an easy pace. After you walk it, stop at Dad's and get a hippo cookie. These are the favorite cookies of my wife and I. Yum. %-P
 
You're quite welcome. Also, the Island has a decorating competition at Christmas. It is definitely fun to do the walk then.
 
T!m gave excellent answers.



Sunday mornings after 8, you'll have to compete with church goers over parking (most of the church folks park right outside of the island's entry to the left, btw). If you take a regular walk, I'd say it would take about 40 minutes or less. If you were doing what we did the first time and kind of look over all the decorations/flowers/ boats etc... and did both islands it wound up to be closer to an hour. It is all on level ground and many of the homes are doing things up for the fourth of july right now, so its extra festive.



The ferry has been in service for 100 years. That is fun to take over to the peninsula where you can find a ferris wheel, a maritime museum, "fun zone" and other small scale attractions.



I prefer the "Balboa Bar" ice cream bar that is dipped in chocolate and rolled in "butter brickle" (toffee).
 
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