Trip Date: 10/3/2013

Location: Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

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

Trails: OC Parks 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 trail begins next to the sign-board.

Trail sequence: Bell Canyon / Quail Run / East Ridge / Sunrise / Bell Canyon / Starr Rise / Oak Trail / Nature Trail

Type: Loop

Distance: 3.4 miles

Elevation: Min. - 410', Max. - 826'

Profile:

Rating: Easy (factors: heat)

Synopsis: This is a good hike for a cool, clear evening in the spring. The views from East Ridge lend themselves to lowering light and the Nature Trail is a nice place to find plants in flower. The climb up to, and down from, the ridge shouldn't be too much for anyone other than small children, but remember to always keep kids close - this is mountain lion country.

East Ridge / Oak Trail / Nature Trail - Caspers WP

Turn by Turn:

   -- - Head north up the trail. After just a few yards turn right (east) onto Quail Run. If you blink you might miss this turn so pay attention.

   -- Follow Quail Run as it switchbacks along single-track toward the eastern ridgeline.

   -- At a junction with East Flats trail stay straight (east) to continue on Quail Run as it again switchbacks gently to the ridge.

   -- Upon reaching the ridge you junction with East Ridge trail (really a fire-road, like many of the park’s trails). Turn left (north) to continue the hike.

   -- After about a mile reach a junction where you’ll Sunrise trail to the left (west). Turn left on Sunrise.

   -- Follow the sometimes steeply descending trail past a junction with Cougar Pass on the right. Soon you'll come to a split in the trail. Take the right fork which meets Bell Canyon in just a few yards. Turn right on Bell Canyon.

  -- After just a few downhill yards you reach Starr Rise trail on the left. Turn left (west) onto Starr Rise.

  -- The trail circles to the south, the eventually turns west again just before meeting the Oak Trail on the left. Turn left (south) on the Oak Trail.

  -- Follow Oak Trail along its forested route for about a half-mile before dropping into a dry rocky creek-bed and coming to a junction. The Oak Trail turns right here. To the left is the Nature Trail. Turn left (east) on the Nature Trail.

  -- As you head east out of the creek-bed the trail begins to turn to the south just before splitting, with the left fork heading over to meet Bell Canyon, and the right continuing on the Nature Trail. Stay right on the Nature Trail and follow it back to the trailhead (Note: this is not the trailhead where you began, but that one is just a few yards back to the east).