Trip Date: 2/5/2017

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: A hike that, especially on temperate, clear days, demonstrates the best of California coastal range hiking. There are ridge walks with tremendous views inland and out to the ocean, beautiful forested canyon paths with some old growth trees and interesting rock formations, and (mostly) gentle drops and ascents. Try to go on a weekday or very early on the weekend to catch a bit of solitude.

Trail sequence: Pacific Ridge trail (No Name Ridge) / West Cut-across / Moro Canyon trail / Slow 'N Easy trail / Bommer Ridge

Type: Balloon loop

Distance: 6.7 miles

Elevation: Min. - 176', Max. - 1018'

Profile:

Rating: Moderate (factors: length, heat, rocky sections)

Notes: After following Moro Canyon trail to the junction with Slow 'N Easy trail, consider that you could continue past this turn, walk another mile on Moro Canyon, and test yourself on Elevator trail (at the end of Moro Canyon). It's a very steep, rocky climb, but it cuts off about a third of a mile from the hike.

Track: Pacific Ridge / Moro Canyon - Laguna Coast WP: Alltrails, GaiaGPS

Turn by Turn:

  -- Upon setting out from the trailhead take an immediate right turn (south) onto Pacific Ridge trail. A mile or so past the housing on your right you'll come to a gate across the path. This is the transition from Laguna Coast Wilderness Park to Crystal Cove SP, and here the name of the trail changes to No Name Ridge.

  -- Continue the mostly gradual descent along the ridge past the left turn onto Ticketron Trail, past the right turn which takes you into Muddy Canyon, until you come to another junction - this time with West Cut-across trail. Take the left (southeast) turn onto West Cut-across and follow the trail all the way to a dead-end with Moro Canyon trail at the bottom of the canyon.

  -- Turn left (northeast) here and follow Moro Canyon for a mile and a half to a junction with Slow 'N Easy trail. Turn left (west) onto Slow 'N Easy and begin the steady climb. The trail works its way around a west-facing hillside, eventually circling back to head north again.

  -- After a mile or so of climbing in this direction you come to a junction with Bommer Ridge trail. Turn left (west) onto Bommer Ridge and follow the northwest trending trail back to the trailhead and your car.