Trip Date: 8/9/2014
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park
Permit/Pass: Laguna Coast WP: Day use (weekday) - $3, (weekend) - $5, Annual Pass ($55 or $80)
Trails: Laguna Coast WP: New park map, Old park map
Crystal Cove SP: Park Map
Directions: From California Toll Road 73 take the Newport Coast Dr. exit and go south (toward the beach) for about 1.3 miles to Ridge Park Rd. Turn left and follow Ridge Park 1.5 mile up the hill to a public park called Coastal Peak Park. Find parking along Ridge Park (or turn right onto E. Coastal Peak Rd. and look there). The trailhead is next to the signboard at the gated end of Ridge Park Rd.
Synopsis: This hike begins and ends in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, but due to the unique way the open space here has been divided, most of the trip takes place in Crystal Cove State Park. It's fortunate for hikers that access between the parks is open and easy because it allows a wide range of distance and destination options. The ramble along Rattlesnake trail is the highlight here and worth the effort expended in returning uphill.
Trail sequence: Bommer Ridge / Red Tail Ridge / Rattlesnake / West Cut-Across / No Name Ridge - Pacific Ridge*
Type: Balloon loop
Distance: 5.8 miles
Elevation: Min. - 226', Max. - 842'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate (factors: short steep sections, heat)
Trail notes: Mostly good, comfortable footing, though the initial descent on Rattlesnake is particularly rocky and awkward. These parks, and especially this staging area, are popular with bikers, so expect company and stay alert for possible collisions.
*Be aware that No Name Ridge and Pacific Ridge trails are the same trail. It just undergoes a name change as it leaves one park and enters the other.
Rattlesnake / Pacific Ridge - Laguna Coast WP/Crystal Cove SP
Turn by Turn:
-- To follow this hike, head east on Bommer Ridge trail. After a little over 3/4 of a mile there's junction with Red Tail Ridge trail on the right. There's a confusing jumble of tracks running together in this spot. Take the prominent fire road heading south. Almost immediately you enter Crystal Cove State Park.
-- A few tenths of a mile brings you to a fork. Stay left to transition onto Rattlesnake trail.
-- Rattlesnake follows the ridge, first climbing gently, then dropping along a rocky path, for just under a 1.5 miles before turning and descending to the northwest, then circling back to the southwest before terminating at West Cut-across trail. Turn right (northeast) onto West Cut-across.
-- A short bit of climbing brings you to another junction with No-name Ridge trail. Turn right (northeast) onto No-name Ridge and begin the ascent (with a few drops thrown in) back to the trailhead. After about a mile the trail passes a gate and a signboard that announces your return to Laguna Coast Wilderness. Continue on the easy-going ascent for another mile back to your car.
Photo gallery: Flickr