Trip Date: 11/9/2013

Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Permit/Pass: Day use (weekday) - $3, (weekend) - $5, Annual Pass ($55 or $80)

Trails: New park map, Old park map

Directions: From Interstate 405 take CA Hwy 133 (aka Laguna Canyon Road) south. After you pass under Hwy 73 (toll road) the road narrows. Stay alert for a slight bend to the right in the road, after which there will be a gravel entrance to a parking lot for the park's Willow Staging area. If you do not have an Orange County parks pass, be sure to pay at the machine.

Trail sequence: Stagecoach South / Laurel Canyon / Upper Laurel / Serrano Ridge / Little Sycamore Canyon / Stagecoach Springs south

Type: Loop

Distance: 8.5 miles

Elevation: Min. - 226', Max. - 842'

Profile:

Rating: Moderate-Difficult (factors: length, short steep sections, heat)

Synopsis: A rare hike where at the halfway mark you'll find nice bathrooms, shade, seating and a nature center. This trek takes you through coastal sage scrub and riparian areas, as well as along ridges with nice views. In spring Laurel Canyon is especially good for wildflowers. The last part of the trail does follow fairly close to the road in a few places, but manages to lead the hiker through some interesting terrain.

Laurel Canyon/Little Sycamore Canyon - Laguna Coast WP

Turn by Turn:

  -- After parking (and paying if required) walk to the northwest corner of the lot and head up the gravel road a few yards to the junction with Stagecoach trail. Turn right (north) onto Stagecoach after signing in (if the volunteers are there).

  -- Follow Stagecoach until it splits. Veer left onto Laurel Canyon trail. Laurel ascends gradually along a stream-carved draw, passing at one point over a seasonal waterfall. Eventually you come to a junction with Laurel Spur on the left. Straight ahead is Upper Laurel.

  -- Continue straight onto Upper Laurel trail, which climbs gently, then a bit steeply, as it ascends to meet Serrano Ridge trail just before passing under Ca Hwy 73. Turn right onto Serrano Ridge.

  -- Serrano circles to the east and then north as it descends a bit to a saddle with a trail crossing. Here you meet Camarillo Canyon trail. Continue straight on Serrano Ridge.

  -- Hike another mile and a half or so along the ridge before coming to a junction with Little Sycamore Canyon on the right. Turn right (north) on Little Sycamore.

  -- Follow Little Sycamore Canyon trail for just under a mile before reaching the parking lot next to the Nix Nature Center. This is an excellent place to eat, use the restrooms or just sit for a while.

  -- When you're ready to get going again, walk down the gravel road to the Stagecoach Springs south trailhead on the south side of the lot. This trail heads up several switchbacks as it rises to eventually turn south on the hillsides.

  -- Follow the trail for a little over a mile as it drops, turns a bit to the west and comes to an intersection where it turns into Camarillo Canyon trail. To remain on Stagecoach Springs south turn left (southeast) at the intersection.

  -- Follow Stagecoach as it heads up to, under and past the freeway interchange, then climbs and descends around a hollow. Things soon level out and you follow this trail back to the original split with Laurel Canyon, from where you retrace your steps back to the trailhead and your car.