Trip Date: 3/21/2015
Location: Cleveland National Forest (Trabuco District)
Permit/Pass: Display Day Pass ($5), Forest Adventure Pass or National Parks Pass in car.
Trails: (Currently no online maps)
Directions: From Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano take Hwy 74 (Ortega Highway) east 23.4 miles to North Main Divide Rd. Turn left. (Pay attention when traveling Ortega Hwy., it's a high traffic, high accident road.) Follow the signs to Blue Jay Campground. Veer left onto the campground entrance road (right takes you to Falcon Group Camp) and follow it about a quarter mile to a point where it turns to the right. Instead of going right, head straight onto a short stretch that takes you to the parking area and trailhead for San Juan trail.
Synopsis: A pretty hike out of the Blue Jay campground area and along (mostly) the San Juan Trail. The Viejo Tie portion of the hike takes you through a lush canyon and up and around a ridge with nice views. Bikers use these trails so keep a wary eye and ear out.
Trail sequence: San Juan Trail (new) / Chiquito Trail / Viejo Tie Trail / San Juan
Type: Balloon loop
Distance: 6.9 miles
Elevation: Min. - 2637', Max. - 3391'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate (considerations: heat, rocky trail)
Notes: Some older guide books measure this trip at 5.5 miles or so. Be aware that this route is significantly longer than that.
Track: Viejo Tie Loop - Cleveland NF
Turn by Turn:
-- San Juan trail heads south of west on a gentle descent through woodlands and along ridges and hillsides.
-- After beginning to head south you'll come to a junction with "Old San Juan trail," now seldom used (there is a marker in the middle of the trail here). Stay straight.
-- You work your way down some shady, gentle switchbacks as you first work your way north, then curl back to the south. Soon the canopy opens up into the east side of Chiquito Basin where you once again cross Old San Juan trail. Continue straight.
-- Eventually you'll level out and cross a meadow as the trail bends to the right and you come to the junction with Chiquito trail. Turn left onto Chiquito Trail.
-- Follow Chiquito as it heads east and drops steadily in elevation. Eventually, after circling to the south, you meet up with the Viejo Tie Trail. Turn right (west) onto Viejo Tie Trail.
-- This trail is essentially a connector between Chiquito Trail and San Juan Trail. Except for circling back to the west to meet San Juan Trail at the end, you work your way south most of your time on the Viejo Tie Trail.
-- After reconnecting with San Juan Trail, turn right (north) and begin the return trip. Upon meeting the Chiquita Trail junction once again stay straight to continue on San Juan Trail.
-- To return to the trailhead, just follow your outward path back, being careful not to get sidetracked onto Old San Juan Trail or any of the multiple spurs which leave from the left side of the trail to connect with the campground.
Photos: Flickr
Video: Youtube