Trip Date: 2/15/2015
Location: Cleveland National Forest (Trabuco District)
Permit/Pass: Display Day Pass ($5), Forest Adventure Pass or National Parks Pass in car.
Directions: From Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano take Hwy 74 (Ortega Highway) east 23.4 miles to the junction with South Main Divide Rd. on the right. Turn right and follow South Main Divide for a little over 14 miles as the road worsens (it never becomes so bad that a car with decent clearance can't handle it) and winds up and down and around the hills and canyons of the Cleveland National Forest. At first you come to the trailhead for Tenaja Falls. Pass this spot and continue on the winding road for another mile or so to the Fisherman's Camp trailhead: barely a two-car dirt parking spot tucked into a cliff on the right side of the road (which immediately turns to the east and climbs). If you blink you'll miss it.
Synopsis: If you're looking for a beautiful canyon hike, with several nice spots for a break, and are willing to do your climbing at the end of the outing, this is a really nice ramble through some typical southern California chaparral and riparian environments.
Trail sequence: Fisherman's Camp trail / San Mateo Canyon trail / Fisherman's Camp
Type: Out and back
Distance: 7.3 miles
Elevation: Min. - 954', Max. - 1528'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate (factors: length, heat, rocky trail)
Trail notes: Be aware that this hike reverses the usual geometry, dropping down into a canyon and lush stream-side environment, then climbing back out. The back is harder than the out, and happens during the warmer part of the day.
San Mateo Canyon - Cleveland NF
Turn by Turn:
-- After taking off down the trail, in a few yards you come to the sign-in register.
-- The trail initially drops very gently, then climbs, again on an easy grade. Soon, though, you begin descending in earnest. After a little more than a mile then trail descends a bit more steeply on its way down to Fisherman's Camp.
-- Just before reaching Fisherman's Camp you reach a junction where the San Mateo Canyon connector joins the trail. Continue down into Fisherman's Camp, passing the campsites and eventually reaching another junction with the Tenaja Canyon trail on the left. Stay straight (west), following the directions to the junction with Bluewater trail.
-- After climbing again you reach a bend where the trail turns to the left and drops in earnest. You switchback nine or tens times before reaching the creek again and following the south bank for a few hundred yards.
-- Soon you turn and cross the creek, coming immediately to another junction. Take the left fork to continue on along the San Mateo Canyon trail.
-- You work along the north hillside as it turns in and out of small canyons along the way before traveling a little over a half-mile and meeting up the the junction for Bluewater trail on the right. Continue on San Mateo Canyon trail as it crosses creekside meadows and small stream beds, eventually bringing you to where the canyon narrows and there are some large flat bolders, a good spot for lunch.
-- Retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
Photo gallery: Flickr