Trip Date: 8/26/12
Location: Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park
Permit/Pass: Day use (weekday) - $3, (weekend) - $5, O.C. Parks Annual Pass ($55)
Trails: 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 to a stop sign. Turn right and continue until the road dead ends at the Bell Canyon trailhead parking lot. The trail head begins next to the sign-board.
Trail sequence: Bell Canyon / Sunrise / Cougar Pass / Oso / Bell Canyon
(*Option: Bell Canyon / Sunrise / Cougar Pass / Oso / Cougar Pass / Sunrise / Bell Canyon)
Type: Knot loop (out and back with loop in the middle)
Distance: 7.5 miles, *6.7 miles (see below)
Elevation: Min. - 410' , Max. - 1469'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate to difficult (factors: heat, steep sections)
Synopsis: About half of this hike travels along the varying terrain of Bell Canyon and Cougar Pass, which includes riparian areas, oak woods and plenty of sage scrub habitat. You pass meadows and gently roll over rises before tackling the difficult climb up Oso before leveling out on your way to the Gazebo. The ridges of Oso offer nice views and good breezes on clear days. On warm days bring plenty of water, and on hot days it's probably better to stay home.
Caspers O&B with loop - Gazebo
Turn by Turn:
-- From the Bell Canyon parking area, head off past the sign board and the gate up Bell Canyon trail.
-- After just a few yards meet a junction with Quail Run. Ignore this and stay straight (north) on Bell Canyon.
-- In a while, following some easy hills and meadow traverses you’ll rise to meet Sunrise trail. Turn right (east) onto Sunrise.
-- After a short distance come to a junction with Cougar Pass. Turn left (north) onto Cougar.
-- Stay on Cougar Pass as it meanders up and down along the east side of Bell Canyon until it meets up with East Ridge trail. Turn left (northwest) to continue on Cougar Pass.
-- After a short descent into a creek bed (there is a bench here if you need to take a break), the trail takes a steep but short rise to a junction with Oso trail.
-- Turn right (northeast) onto Oso as it ascends steeply and continuously to eventually reach the junction with Badger Pass trail.
-- Turning right onto Badger Pass takes you up a few yards to the Gazebo. Stop here for lunch or a break, or a bit of shade on warmer days.
-- Return to Oso trail and work your way back down into Bell Canyon, descending to a return to the junction with Cougar Pass. This time, turn right (west).
[* If you want to shave a little distance - over three quarters of a mile - and time off of this hike you can just return the way you came by turning left on Cougar here, then a right on Sunrise that will return you to Bell Canyon - Everytrail]
-- Follow Oso to its end at the junction with Bell Canyon trail. Turn left (south) onto Bell Canyon.
-- Follow Bell Canyon trail back to the trailhead and your car.