Get Outside and Explore
It was a beautiful day for a 6 mile hike to Los Pinos Peak. I decided to head off into the Santa Ana Mountains. Heading north on Main Divide Road from Ortega Highway, there were two water crossings we had to make, which was not expected.
We went for a 4 walk around the 300 acre San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary between rain squalls of the atmospheric river that was hitting California. The wetlands here act as a natural water filter. The plants found here, such as bullrush, help to filter urban runoff from San Diego Creek before it reaches Upper Newport Bay.
The Shasta Sendero Loop trail was steep, overgrown, and a bit muddy. I continued climbing uphill for about 500 more feet, amongst the wildflowers. The hills were golden, blooming with wild mustard, and dozens of other flowers. It is mid-March, and we have had a ton of rain. The mountains are full of snow, and we are having a superbloom.
I wanted to take on the "mentally sensitive," trail for a long time. Part of the trail travels along Meadows Trail, and the rest of it is called Sheep Run. But aside from feeling a little mentally sensitive, I would be adding part of Wood Canyon, and Car Wreck, for a 9.65 mile hike. The name of the trail was changed on alltrails from Mentally Sensitive , and is now called Meadows and Aswut Trail Loop. The trail begins at Moulton Meadows Park in the Alta Vista neighborhood of Laguna Beach, California. This park has grassy fields, a dog park, and restrooms. There is street parking all along Balboa Road, adjoining the park. Nobody knows for sure how the car wreck got there. Was it driven off a cliff on purpose or for a prank? Perhaps a storm washed it down the mountainside. Nobody seems to know for sure. There were so many wildflowers in bloom all along the way. This was a perfect springtime hike in Orange County in March.
There is a four mile long paved trail along the ridge in San Clemente. There are several other unpaved, un-named trails that branch off from the main paved one. It is possible to hike up to 7 miles, all the way to "The Nob." I went on a 6 mile trail run at sunset, and… Continue reading The San Clemente Ridgeline
Serafina Hikes 