Lunch Break!
Enjoying Ocean Views and Breezes
The Canyons
Thomas Guide Orange County 951 Aliso and Wood Canyon Park Map
Normally, I tend to avoid all bike trails that contain any of the following descriptors: summit, peak, ridge, view point or any references to planets or stars. Today, however, in the spirit of hoping to complete the last leg of the Mountains to Ocean ride along Aliso Creek Bikeway, I set aside my prejudices and sucked it up to tackle the Aliso Summit Trail. We ‘started’ the ride from the entrance of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness park. There also appears to be some parking along Alicia, across from Laguna Niguel Regional Park.
The trail itself seems separate from the park although it is on the official park map. From the park, ride UP Alicia, turn Right on Highlands (more UP) and, at the ‘second’ Ridgeview, is the trailhead. Be prepared for about a 700 foot climb to get to the trail, even the “boy racers” were whining.
For most of its length, the 3 mile trail borders residential communities to the east and natural open space to the west with expansive views of the Aliso and Wood Canyons and the ocean. The trail primarily consists of natural and decomposed granite surfaces and, in two locations, the continuity of the trail is provided by sidewalk connections. A sidewalk along Talavera Drive and Pacific Island Drive connects Seaview Park with the start/end of the trail on Pacific Island Drive. Once on the trail, it is fairly level (yahoo!).
We may have been able to get to the coast but we were lame and not willing to give up any altitude. After reviewing maps post-ride, it seems as if there should be some way to link up the Aliso Summit Trail to the South Laguna Ridge Trail and get to the beach. That will have to be another day…
The trail itself seems separate from the park although it is on the official park map. From the park, ride UP Alicia, turn Right on Highlands (more UP) and, at the ‘second’ Ridgeview, is the trailhead. Be prepared for about a 700 foot climb to get to the trail, even the “boy racers” were whining.
For most of its length, the 3 mile trail borders residential communities to the east and natural open space to the west with expansive views of the Aliso and Wood Canyons and the ocean. The trail primarily consists of natural and decomposed granite surfaces and, in two locations, the continuity of the trail is provided by sidewalk connections. A sidewalk along Talavera Drive and Pacific Island Drive connects Seaview Park with the start/end of the trail on Pacific Island Drive. Once on the trail, it is fairly level (yahoo!).
We may have been able to get to the coast but we were lame and not willing to give up any altitude. After reviewing maps post-ride, it seems as if there should be some way to link up the Aliso Summit Trail to the South Laguna Ridge Trail and get to the beach. That will have to be another day…
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment