Trip Date: 3/5/2016

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: (This trip requires either two cars or a kindly drop-off from a friend. We hiked it as a descent. To do the reverse, just change the trailhead where you leave your car.)

To the trail-end where you'll leave a car: From Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano take the Ortega Hwy (CA 74) exit east. Drive 12.7 mile to Hot Springs Canyon Rd. A National Forest Service fire station is located at this bend in Hwy 74. Turn left onto Hot Springs Canyon and travel down the intermittently paved, bumpy road about three-quarters of a mile to a left turn into the parking area for the San Juan Trail. Leave as you came, then turn left (east) onto Ortega Highway to continue on to the trailhead.

To the trailhead (or drop-off point): Continue on Hwy 74 (Ortega Highway) east another ten miles or so to North Main Divide Rd. (look for the South Main Divide sign on the opposite side of the road. Turn left. Follow the signs to Blue Jay Campground. Veer left just after 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. Here you'll begin your hike.

Synopsis: If you'd like an all day introduction to the botanical diversity of the Santa Ana Mountains, along with terrific views of canyons and meadows and Orange County in the distance, this is the hike to take. It's a shuttle, so you'll need either two cars or a drop-off, and it's long - over eleven miles. But the hike descends (or ascends) over 2500 feet through changing habitats, offering those focused on the green and growing lots to look at. At the same time, the trail mostly follows ridges, allowing those focused on the distant and sweeping plenty to occupy their time. One caveat: this hike is best left for cooler days. 

Trail sequence: San Juan Trail (new) / San Juan Trail (old)

Type: Point to point (shuttle)

Distance: 11 miles

Elevation: Min. - 834', Max. - 3374'

Profile:

Rating: Moderate-Difficult (considerations: length, heat, rocky trail)

Notes: For this hike, most will likely choose to descend as we did, but keep in mind the trail is rocky and rutted (it's a very popular mountain bike route) in many spots and can also present a challenge to those whose joints feel the downhills.

Track: San Juan Trail - Cleveland NF - Everytrail, GaiaGPS

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 travel down some shady, gentle switchbacks as you work your way north, then curl back to the south several times. 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 on the left. Once again, continue straight on San Juan Trail.

  -- The path continues on its southward trend as it gradually ascends to meet the Viejo Tie Trail on the left. This junction will likely be unmarked, and will appear as a split in the path. Just be sure to take the right fork to continue on the San Juan Trail. From here on the trail tends to be more open, staying near the ridge.

  -- After another long stretch you reach a marked junction with Old San Juan trail. Continue west as both old and new merge, leaving only the San Juan trail.

  -- From here the route circles to the west (with some back and forth) as it rounds hillsides, drops through a few large swales, and ducks in and out of canyons.

  -- A bit more trekking brings you to a ridge where the trail starts to head south. This turn in the trail offers nice views of Hot Springs Canyon to the immediate west, and on a clear day you'll be able to see the switchbacks in the distance, still several miles of descending and turning through canyons away, where you'll drop down to the ending trailhead.

  -- Don't forget to drive back up the mountain road to pick up your car at the beginning trailhead.

Photos: Flickr

Video: Youtube