Trip Date: 4/14/2015
Location: Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park
Permit/Pass: Day use ($5), O.C. Parks Annual Pass ($55)
Trails: OC Park 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 before coming to the turnoff for the San Juan Meadow group area on the right (if you get to a stop sign you've gone too far). Turn right and follow the gravel road all the way to the end where you'll find a parking and the trailhead.
Synopsis: For those seeking a leg-stretcher, this hike offers a good workout along with some travel through the lesser visited environs of Caspers Wilderness Park. If taken in the spring after some decent rains the upper reaches of Oso trail will often provide excellent wildflowers.
Trail sequence: Juaneño / San Juan Creek connector / San Juan Creek / Oso / Badger Pass / San Juan Creek / Juaneño
Type: Ballon loop
Distance: 11.4 miles
Elevation: Min. - 390', Max. - 1623'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate-Difficult (factors: length, steep sections, heat, sandy and rocky creek sections)
Trail notes: This is a longer hike that could be considered more difficult than moderate. Because so much of it takes place along the fairly flat creekside of San Juan Canyon we gave it a Moderate-Difficult rating. Just remember that the heat of the particular day can make all the difference.
Track: San Juan Creek / Oso / Juaneño - Caspers WP
Turn by Turn:
-- At the end of the gravel group-camping area road look for the Juaneño trail trailhead directly adjacent to the small parking area. Head north on the immediately ascending trail.
-- After a mild climb the trail descends and levels out, then comes to a service road. Turn right on this cut-across through the San Juan Creek creek bed to get to San Juan Creek trail.
-- Upon nearing the highway there is a split in the path. Veer left to pick up the San Juan Creek trail. Follow the trail for nearly three miles as it heads north with the creek on your left and the road on your right.
-- Eventually the creek turns to the east to cross under the highway. After you cross the creek look for a small single-track trail sneaking off to the left (west). This is the Juaneño trail and it will be the path you'll take on the return trip. For now, continue straight on San Juan Creek trail.
-- In just a few yards the path meet Badger Pass leading off to the left (northwest). Turn left on Badger Pass.
-- After a little over a mile of mostly gradual ascent the trail brings you to an intersection with Oso trail. At this junction you will find a Gazebo. This is a good place for a break.
-- As you resume the trip, drop to the intersection with Oso and turn right (north). Continue on Oso as it heads up, then begins a long descent, turning back to the south, then winding down some switchbacks and eventually heading south again.
-- After about three miles Oso ends at a junction with San Juan Creek trail, right next to Ortega Highway. Turn right (southwest) on San Juan Creek.
-- A little under a mile from the turn you come to a junction where San Juan Creek trail dips down to the creek bed itself, which has just exited from under Ortega Highway. Just before the trail dips, there is a single-track path leading off to the right (west). This is Juaneno trail.
-- Turn right on Juaneno trail and follow it for a little over three miles as it leads you through oak and sycamore woodlands, and sandy creek bed habitat. Eventually you cross a park access dirt road and push up a rise before dropping down to the trailhead and your car.