Trip Date: 2/4/2017

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: This trip gives the hiker an excellent introduction to some of the trails in Crystal Cove State Park. Yes, it leaves from a Laguna Coast WP trailhead, but excepting the time spent on Bommer Ridge most of this trek travels Crystal Cove terrain. As with most hikes out of the Ridge Park Rd. area, be prepared for a return uphill leg.

Trail sequence: Bommer Ridge trail / Moro Ridge trail / East Cut-across / Moro Canyon trail / West Cut-across / Rattlesnake trail / Red Tail Ridge / Bommer Ridge

Type: Balloon loop

Distance: 8.7 miles

Elevation: Min. - 161', Max. - 1022'

Profile:

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

Notes: With visions of the ocean getting nearer as you head down Moro Ridge trail one might feel drawn to follow the trails all the way to the shore. Be aware that this will substantially lengthen your hike, which will be uphill all the way back.

Track: Bommer Ridge / Moro Ridge / Rattlesnake - Laguna Coast WP: Alltrails, 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.)

  -- Follow the ridge trail for about a mile and half to a right turn onto another ridge trail called Moro Ridge. Head out on Moro Ridge, which trends in a southwest direction.

  -- After about three miles of travel on Moro Ridge (and shortly after passing the Lower Moro Campground) there is a junction with East Cut-across trail. Take the right (west) turn onto East Cut-across and begin the medium gradient descent into Moro Canyon. After the path takes a sharp turn to the north it comes to Moro Canyon trail. Turn right (north) onto Moro Canyon trail.

  -- Walk just a few yards on Moro Canyon to another junction. Here there are two trails heading left (west) and up. Take West Cut-across trail, the one on the right, and climb up just under a half-mile to yet another junction with Rattlesnake trail on the right.

  -- Take Rattlesnake trail, which twists and turns and drops, then climbs (sometimes steeply) for about a mile and a half as it eventually levels out and turns into Red Tail Ridge trail. Continue on Red Tail Ridge as it travels just under a half-mile before meeting Bommer Ridge trail once again.

  -- Turn left (northwest) onto Bommer Ridge and begin your return trip to the trailhead.