Rare, beautiful and closely
guarded. You have to plan a visit during restricted hours, but the effort is
more than generously rewarded.
Distance: approx. 10 miles Elevation gain: 1,600+ ft. Difficulty: Advanced When to go: All year Location: Laguna Beach, south of the toll road, between Crystal Cove
State Park and Laguna Canyon Road Phone: 949-923-2235 Dogs: Not allowed Directions: Exit Interstate 405 south on Laguna Canyon Road. Parking
is on the right about 500 yards past the El Toro Road intersection.
Trail Information
Remarks: It's no wonder that this Laguna Coast reserve is called the
"gemstone" of the regional parks system and a gem among Orange County's
natural reserves. It sits in the heart of the most valuable parcel of
coastal sage in the county with the most luxurious habitat thriving in each
of the several hundred colorful canyons.
As a reserve, access is restricted. The best way to take it all in is on a
docent-led tour, which can be arranged by calling the above number. Docents
in training receive a college-level course about the habitat. Alternatively,
you can hike, bike and horseback ride the trails unescorted on every
Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain closes the park for at least
48 hours.
Gliding Along Bommer Ridge
My hike began, with the guidance of an articulate park ranger, up Willow
Canyon to the Bommer Ridge trail. We then glided towards the ocean on Bommer
Ridge. And "glide" ideally describes the sensation of being on top of the
world, looking down into the canyons like the birds flying nearby.
You, too, may find yourself bouncing repeatedly from one side of the trail
to the other looking over into the expansive, flowing canyons below. As we
approached the ocean, I was captivated by the many dream-like viewpoints.
A Natural Monument for the Ages
Overtaken by the scent of sages wafting on the rustling wind, we admired the
beauty of birds floating, kiting and diving for prey. Saved from the
munching cattle herds of ranching days of the past, the hills survive as a
monument to what we can save in perpetuity. You will gasp to catch your
breath while looking down along the beaches and tiny roads in the distance.
At the intersection of four trails, we chose to go out on Boat Canyon trail
to overlook parts of Emerald Bay, Irvine Cove, North Laguna and, of course,
Laguna's Main Beach. Allow yourself plenty of time for this hike, start
early, carry food and water, and be fit enough to handle a stern hike. You
won't regret it.
After backtracking up Boat Canyon and Bommer Ridge to the junction with
Willow Canyon, we hopped over to Laguna Laurel Canyon for the hike back to
the parking lot. Here we relived all the reasons why so many people attended
the walk of 1989 to save these canyons. The tight canyon boasts mysterious
rock outcroppings, a trickle of flowing water, many birds, rare flowers and
all the signs of a wildly healthy coastal sage.
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