JODY TIONGCO
DARTMOOR TO WATER
TANK TRAIL
DISTANCE: 3 MILES
USES: HIKING, BIKING, EQUESTRIAN
DIFFICULTY: INTERMEDIATE
PARKING COST:FREE
LOOK FOR: BIRDS OF PREY AND OCEAN MAMMALS
DARTMOOR TO
WATER TANK TRAIL
Known as the “locals’ hike,”
this route offers a quick,
cardio-blasting workout. From the
trailhead at Dartmoor Street, it’s
an every-man-for-himself ascent,
just shy of a half mile to 700-footelevation. Once you make it up this
initial road, the rest of this trail is
as difficult as you make it.
Pause at the top to spot whales
and dolphins swimming along the
horizon before reaching the Water
Tank Trail, which leads toward the
welcoming ocean waters until it
appears to disappear off the side of
a cliff. Before you know it, the dirt
turns to asphalt, and all that’s left
is one very manageable mile along
city streets back to the car.
EMERALD CANYON
ROAD
For the first time since a detrimental storm caused washout
in 2010, Emerald Canyon Road
is open to the public thanks to
rebuilding efforts by the Laguna
Canyon Foundation, Irvine Ranch
Conservancy and OC Parks staff
and volunteers. Now, a 60-foot
bridge crosses the washout area
for a stable pathway.
To gain access, park in the
Willow Canyon Staging Area off
Laguna Canyon Road, where
the hike starts with a strenuous
650-foot elevation gain up Willow
Canyon Road.
Once the road meets up with
Bommer Ridge Road for a short
connection to Emerald Canyon
LOWER MORO CAMPGROUND
DISTANCE: 3 MILES
USES: HIKING, BIKING, EQUESTRIAN
DIFFICULTY: ADVANCED
PARKING COST:$25 (INCLUDES OVERNIGHT
PERMIT FEE)
LOOK FOR: BOBCATS, COYOTES AND DEER; ALSO
WATCH OUT FOR SCORPIONS AND SNAKES
Road, a decline leads to a treecovered canyon overgrown with
lush foliage and flowers. Before
the out-and-back trail ends at an
inaccessible gate on the edge of
Emerald Bay neighborhood, tackle
Old Emerald Falls Trail—a more
advanced single track—to catch a
glimpse of the waterfall.
LOWER MORO
CAMPGROUND
Crystal Cove consists of 2,400
acres that teem with trails, most
of which start with a leg-burning
incline from sea level, maxing out
at elevations of 1,000 feet. What’s
more, there are three backcountry
campsites: Deer Canyon (about
3.5 miles from the ranger station
parking lot) is nestled among oak
trees, Upper Moro (roughly 3.5
miles from the lower parking lot)
offers expansive views of the
Orange County skyline and Lower
Moro (3 miles from the lower
parking lot) provides a bird’s-eye
view of the canyon below as well
as panoramic ocean vistas.
Adventurous spirits favor
Lower Moro for the possibility of
crossing paths with coyotes, mule
deer and the occasional bobcat,
which are all best seen after the
park closes to day-use visitors.
Whether you aim for a leisurely
trek or an adrenaline-pumping
journey, Laguna’s sprawling canyon trails offer a little something
for everyone.
Editor’s note: The distances
are estimated from the given
trailheads and routes, but many
of these trails have multiple entry
and exit points that allow for
desired adjustments to difficulty
and length.
For more ways to explore
Laguna, head to our Play listings
on page 114.
EMERALD CANYON ROAD
DISTANCE: 9 MILES
USES: HIKING, BIKING, EQUESTRIAN
DIFFICULTY: ADVANCED
PARKING COST:$3
LOOK FOR: BOBCATS, DEER
AND BUTTERFLIES
20 SUMMER 2014 CITY GUIDE
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