This is a spectacular view
trail with a real altitude, overlooking the heart of South Orange County.
Keep going all the way to Main Divide if you want.
Distance: 10 miles up and back Difficulty: Moderate When to go: October through May Location: Modjeska Canyon Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet Phone: Cleveland National Forest Trabuco District at (909) 736-1811 Dogs: Yes Directions: Exit Interstate 5 or the 241 Toll Road at El Toro Road.
Go north past Cook's Corner to Modjeska Canyon Road. Turn right (you can't
turn left) and continue to the end of the canyon. Park near the Tucker
Wildlife Sanctuary. You can also take Chapman Avenue east or exit the 261
Toll Road at Santiago Canyon Road. Chapman turns into the canyon road, which
leads to Modjeska Canyon Road.
Trail Information
Remarks: It's probably one of the best known and well-respected
trails used for reaching the Main Divide trail that separates Orange and
Riverside Counties.
Go early to avoid mid-day heat. Plus, you're more likely to find parking at
that hour. The Laurel Springs are a natural spring that pours out a hillside
and drains down to the headwaters of Santiago Creek.
The trail is about 20 feet wide and has nice, large switchbacks offering a
multitude of viewpoints back to the hamlet lying serenely below. The grade
is pretty steady and makes for an enjoyable five-hour workout. I saw mostly
hikers, and the few cyclists were friendly and careful as they passed.
As you reach the first mile marker there is a dramatic lift above the
surrounding foothills offering a view of the communities beyond. I was able
to see the Oso Reservoir and Lake Mission Viejo. From another viewpoint, the
Plano Trabuco features of Lake Santa Margarita and the Robinson Ranch
boundary of the Cleveland National Forest were visible. At about 1.6 miles
sits the remnants of an old goat shed from many years ago. All of Modjeska
Canyon out to the Bolero Peak communications towers above Whiting Ranch
spread out before me.
As I climbed even higher it became obvious that this would be a good hike
after a rain, when the skies would be so clear I could see the ocean and
Catalina in the far distance.
Directions from descending hikers led to the springs. Following the largest
span of an open turn in the trail, watch for a big landslide on your left.
The springs are hidden to the right. Walk past a thicket of bright green
California bay trees, which provide a canopy over the water as it dances
down the hillside. The entrance path is beyond about a quarter mile and
doubles back across the hillside.
The water is no longer drinkable and I imagine that's why the concrete box
and trough is in poor shape. Otherwise it might provide hikers a false sense
of security. You don't want to drink the parasite-laden waters.
The beauty of Santiago Canyon lies on the right side of the mountain and
Harding Creek Canyon on the left. Try to hit the trail on a clear day and
you will never forget the breathtaking views.
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