Trip Date: 4/10/2013

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 to a stop sign. Turn right and continue until the road dead ends at the Bell Canyon trailhead parking lot. The trailhead for this hike is next to the creek a few hundred yards to the south. Head west along the gravel road/parking lot which quickly turns to the south. Follow the road as it nearly converges with the creek. Right where the gravel road turns back toward the main park road, there is a trailhead off to the right on the eastern bank of the creek.

Trail sequence: Pinhead Peak / use-trail descending southeast from the peak / off-trail generally northeast to junction of main park road and road to visitor center (and East Flats trail) / East Flats / Quail Run / Bell Canyon

Type: Loop

Distance: 2.9 miles

Rating: Easy / Moderate

Synopsis: A fun hike and scramble through a less traveled part of the park. The trail croses creek bed a couple of times and climbs through sage scrub. There is some steep and tricky descending from the top (trekking poles are helpful) and a short bushwhack from the base of the peak to pick up East Flats trail. Be mindful of rattlesnakes and watch where you step - squirrel holes can be covered by brush and will turn an unwary ankle.

Pinhead Peak / East Flats - Caspers WP

Turn by Turn:

  -- From the Bell Canyon trail parking lot, head west, then south, along the gravel road to the Pinhead Peak trailhead. As the gravel road turns back to the east to meet the main park road look to the right for the trail marker right on the bank of the creek.

  -- Follow the trail as it crosses the creek then wander across an expansive meadow as it comes to the base of the hills you will climb. The trail first follows the western side of these hills, then begins climbing to the southeast.

  -- After a short but steep descent and climb through a saddle just before the peak, you reach the top. This is a good time to pick out landmarks for which you can aim when you begin your off-trail section below.

  -- There are two use-trails that lead away from top. Take the one that heads southeast, following the ridge down to a meadow.

  -- Once you reach the bottom of this trail, turn and begin bushwhacking northeast (or toward your chosen landmark) to meet the park roads. You will cross the creek, then an open meadow.

  -- Where the road rises to a stop sign is your destination. Just after the left turn from the stop sign you will find the beginning of East Flats trail. Head north on this trail.

  -- East Flats shortly meets East Ridge trail. Cross East Ridge and continue on East Flats.

  -- After a gently rising, fairly direct walk through coastal sage scrub East Flats meets Quail Run. Turn left onto Quail Run for the short descent to Bell Canyon trail.

  -- At the junction of Quail Run and Bell Canyon, turn left onto Bell Canyon for the couple of yards return to your car.