Trip Date: 11/10/2013

Location: Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

Permit/Pass: Day use ($5), O.C. Parks Annual Pass ($55)

Trails: OC Park map, GTN Mileage Map

Directions: From Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano take the Ortega Hwy (CA 74) exit east. Drive just under eight miles to the park entrance on the left (north) side of the road. After passing through the entrance follow the street past several side roads to a stop sign. Turn right and continue until the road dead ends at the Bell Canyon trailhead parking lot. The trailhead for this hike is next to the creek a few hundred yards to the south. Head west along the gravel road/parking lot which quickly turns to the south. Follow the road as it nearly converges with the creek. Right where the gravel road turns back toward the main park road, there is a trailhead off to the right on the eastern bank of the creek.

Trail sequence: Pinhead Peak trail

Type: Out and back

Distance: 1.9 miles

Elevation: Min 364', Max 675'

Profile:

Rating: Easy-Moderate (factors: heat, some steep sections)

Synopsis: A fun hike to a less traveled part of the park. You cross creek bed a couple of times and climb through coastal sage habitat. There is a steep section just before the peak (trekking poles are helpful) but the views from the top are worth the effort. 

Pinhead Peak - Ronald W. Caspers WP

Turn by Turn:

  -- From the Bell Canyon trail parking lot, head west, then south, along the gravel road to the Pinhead Peak trailhead. As the gravel road turns back to the east to meet the main park road look to the right for the trail marker right on the bank of the creek.

  -- Follow the trail as it crosses the creek then wanders across an expansive meadow as it comes to the base of the hills you will climb. This is where you'll see a marker that directs you along the western side of these hills, then begins climbing to the southeast.

  -- Two thirds of the way up you level out on a hillside meadow where another marker directs you to the left (east) across the meadow and onto a brushy ridge.

  -- After a brief walk along the ridge you reach a short but steep descent and climb through a saddle just before ascending steeply to the peak.

  -- The return trip is straightforward. Just retrace your path, taking note of the markers and reversing your outbound course.