Trip Date: 6/25/2016

Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Permit/Pass: None when leaving from Coastal Peak Park

Trails: Laguna Coast WP: New park map, Old 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: Bommer Ridge skirts the west side of Crystal Cove State Park, giving the hiker great views all the way to the ocean. But at the halfway point this hike drops away from that scenic perspective and travels through some of the riparian parts of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. The return leg up Lizard trail is interesting, pretty, and often tight single track on which bikes are allowed, so keep a wary eye and ear.

Trail sequence: Bommer Ridge / Fenceline / Moro Ridge / Bommer Ridge / Bommer Spur / Willow Canyon / Laurel Spur / Lizard / Bommer Ridge

Type: Balloon loop

Distance: 5 miles

Elevation: Min. - 563', Max. - 1002'

Profile:

Rating: Moderate (factors: length, heat, one or two steep spots)

Notes: There are often events at Coastal Peak Park, as well as plenty of bike and walker traffic. Don't expect to be alone on this hike, and arrive early if you want to find parking.

Track: Bommer / Lizard - Laguna Coast WP - Everytrail, GaiaGPS

Turn by Turn:

  -- To follow this hike, head east on Bommer Ridge trail. (It's wise to know the trails beforehand, but there are trail-maps posted at most junctions, so as long as you can read and pay attention it should be pretty difficult to get lost.) Along the way you'll pass trail leading east into Crystal Cove Park. One of these - Redial trail - comes up soon. Take Redtail on the right (southwest) and walk just a few yards up the trail to a connection with a single track spur trail called Fenceline. Turn left (southeast).

  -- Follow Fenceline as it crosses Slow 'n Easy and Elevator trails. Eventually you deadend at Moro Ridge trail. Turn left (north) here and follow Moro Ridge back to Bommer Ridge. Turn right (east) on Bommer Ridge.

  -- Soon you reach a fork. Bummer Ridge continues on the right and Bommer Spur on the left drops down to meet Willow Canyon trail. Take Bommer Spur.

  -- Upon reaching Willow Canyon turn left, and take another immediate left onto Laurel Spur trail. Laurel Spur descends, sometimes steeply, to a junction with several trails. Keep an eye out on the left for the turn onto Lizard trail (this is just before a more obvious junction with two other trails).

  -- Head west on Lizard for a mile and a half or so as it meanders and climbs to eventually meet Bommer Ridge once again. Turn right (north) on Bommer Ridge and follow as it circles to the west and returns to the trailhead.