Tag Archives: Trabuco canyon

LOS PINOS PEAK VIA TRABUCO CANYON

19 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by in Distance hikes, Outdoors, Peaks, Strenuous Hikes

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This is a 13 mile hike that starts in beautiful Trabuco Canyon. The trailhead for this hike is located at the end of Trabuco Creek Rd. This is a bumpy ride on an  unmaintained dirt road. So a 4×4 or a high clearance vehicle is recommended.

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The first 2 miles on the West Horsethief Trail are mostly shaded and follow the creek.

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View of Trabuco Canyon

After the first 2 miles you start to climb up the walls of Trabuco Canyon and the views begin to open up. This steep section is the toughest part of the hike. After 2 miles you reach the Main Divide Rd.

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The Main Divide  Rd. offers some great views into Riverside County. Lake Elsinore is pictured above also visible from the road are San Jacinto and the San Bernardino Mountains. 

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Los Pinos Ridge Trail

After 3 miles on the Rd you reach the Los Pinos Trail. This ridge line is one of my favorites in the range. The views from the ridge are amazing!

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View from Los Pinos Peak

Once on the peak, enjoy the marvelous views an retrace your steps.  Go back to the main divide/los pinos junction and make a left to take the Trabuco Canyon trail. 

This shady downhill trail is my favorite!  It’s a bit rocky but the views are so worth it!

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Trabuco Canyon Trail

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This Trai will take you back to West Horsethief trail. Then return the way you came. This lollipop loop is one of the best in So Cal!

Trail route:
West Horsethief to Main Divide, Main Divide to Los Pinos Trail, Los Pinos  back down to Main Divide/Trabuco Canyon/ Los Pinos trail Junction,  Take Trabuco Canyon trail back to West Horsethief and back to parking lot.

● 13 mile Lollipop Loop
● 4th highest peak in the range.
● Beautiful views
● Dog friendly trail
● approx 2,500 ft of gain
● High clearance vehicle recommended

CLICK BELOW FOR GOOGLE MAPS LINK TO PARKING AREA
West Horsethief/Trabuco Canyon Trailhead

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One Hiker Found … One Still Missing

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by in News, Waterfalls

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Nicholas Cendoya was finally found late Wednesday night near Falls Canyon. Falls Canyon is a small trail off of Trabuco Creek Road just about 2 miles before the Holy Jim trailhead. Nicholas stated to authorities that Kyndall Jack was still alive and further up the trail from where he was found. Rescue Teams have not yet located her.

Personally, of course I’m hoping she is found alive and well, but it does seem odd that Cendoya would leave her out there. Not to mention that the Falls Canyon Trail is a pretty short trail and for them to get “lost” still sounds unlikely to me.

SANTIAGO PEAK

01 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Distance hikes, Peaks, Strenuous Hikes

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Anyone who hikes in Orange County knows of or has heard of Santiago Peak. It is the hikes of all hikes in OC. 16 miles! The prize for OC hikers.

Since the Santa Ana Winds had ruined my first attempt. I had to reschedule  and find a new hiking partner to reach the 5,689 ft peak.

Trying to convince friends to climb OC’s biggest mountain proved to be harder than the hike itself.

After my cousin agreed to make the trip with me ( Thanks Gary). I planned our route and we met up the next morning to conquer the Santa Ana’s highest point.

The parking lot and trail head for this hike is the same as the one to Holy Jim Waterfall. A forest adventure pass is required. After parking and checking our gear we headed left onto the post trail that leads to the Holy Jim Trail.

From the parking lot you will head about a mile and a half into the canyon until you reach the junction.

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Make a left here and proceed onto the Holy Jim Trail towards the Main Divide Rd. Making a right will take you to the waterfall.

Once on the trail you gradually begin to ascend the mountain for the next 4 miles until reaching the Main Divide Rd.  The trail itself is a single track trail that is well shaded and in pretty good condition.

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As you gain some elevation the views to the south are amazing. Getting a glimpse of the ocean and the canyon below where you started the hike.

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Once you read the Main Divide Rd you can either go left or right, they both lead you to the peak. Upper Holy Jim Trail is to the right, which is steeper, but offers great views of Baldy and Gorgonio. After making a right the trail will be on your left after about an 1/8 of a mile (look for the sign). This is the route I took and the views were worth it.

imageAfter a mile or so on the Upper Holy Jim Trail you connect back up with the Main Divide Rd. Once here you will make a right and continue up towards the peak for the remainder 2 miles.

imageOnce at the hates to the peak you can go left for views of San Jacinto and Palomar Peak our you can go right on continue to the western must part of the summit for views of all of OC, the Pacific, Catalina and Baldy

imageimageHappy Trails,
Alex G

 

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  • Elevation Gain 4,000 ft
  • Distance – 16 miles
  • 5,689 ft above sea level
  • Highest point in OC
  • Creek crossings
  • Adventure pass required

click here for directions