Trip Date: 1/26/2014
Location: Crystal Cove State Park
Permit/Pass: All Day Parking Pass - $15. Annual pass - $195. Oversized vehicles (25'long/9' high) - $75 per day (annual pass for oversized vehicles - $270)
Trails: Park map
Directions: Crystal Cove is located just north of Laguna Beach on California's Route 101 (Pacific Coast Highway). There are different access points. For this hike find the traffic light and turnoff to the east next to El Morro Elementary School, then take the right after the school which leads to the campground. After you pass the entrance kiosk, follow the signs down to the canyon and beach access parking lot. The trailhead is at the northeast end of the parking lot.
Trail sequence: Moro Canyon trail / Slow 'N Easy / Bommer Ridge / Pacific Ridge - No Name Ridge / West Cut-across / Moro Canyon
Type: Loop
Distance: 9.2 miles
Elevation: Min. - 36', Max. - 1010'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate-Difficult (factors: heat, some steep sections, length)
Synopsis: The first half of this hike travels though Moro Canyon which offers shade and interesting plant-life. As you climb out of the canyon views to the ocean, and eventually to the eastern valleys, open up. The return trip follows a somewhat environmentally impacted ridge before returning to the canyon for the last mile. On the weekends expect plenty of biking, hiking, and running company.
Track: Moro Cyn / Bommer / West Cut-across - Crystal Cove SP
Turn by Turn:
-- After parking, find the trailhead at the northeast end of the parking lot. You'll walk around 2.5 miles through Moro Canyon before coming to a junction with Slow 'N Easy trail. Turn left (west) onto Slow 'N Easy.
-- You'll gradually ascend out of the canyon, first west, then northeast, eventually reaching the junction with Missing Link trail after about a mile and a quarter. Continue past this junction, past the signboard, and around a gate. This is where you leave Crystal Cove State Park and enter Laguna Coast Wilderness for a few miles. Follow the trail a few yards to connect with Bommer Ridge.
-- Turn left (northwest) on Bommer Ridge and follow it for about a mile as it climbs gently (with a few ups and downs) to meet Coast Peak Park. This is where Bommer Ridge ends, and turns left (southwest) onto Pacific Ridge trail. It's also a good spot to find a bench and take a break or eat some lunch.
-- When ready, return to Pacific Ridge trail and begin the trip south, at first next to some residential areas, then along a ridge that descends to the ocean.
-- After about a mile and a quarter you come to a gate. Here you'll cross back into Crystal Cove State Park. Continue on the trail, now called No Name Ridge.
-- Another three-quarters of a mile or so along the ridge brings you to a junction with West Cut-across trail. Turn left (south) onto West Cut-across.
-- The trail descends, steeply at times, to meet Moro Canyon trail once again. Turn right (southwest) onto Moro Canyon and walk the mile back to your car.
Photo gallery: Flickr