Trail Run Project Logo

A nice rolling loop around the southern end of Caspers Wilderness Park.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

3.1

Miles

4.9

KM

99%

Runnable

524' 160 m

High

424' 129 m

Low

190' 58 m

Up

190' 58 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

8%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Trails may be closed for three days after rain.

Overview

This easy 2.9-mile loop around southern Caspers Wilderness Park uses multiple trails to give runners a taste of what the park has to offer.

Need to Know

The Park is open from 7 am to sunset all year.
Parking fees are $3 per vehicle daily Monday-Friday, and $5 per vehicle daily on Saturday and Sunday. Higher rates may apply on holidays or for events.

Many of the trails are multi-use so know the right-of-way rules and be aware of other users.

Description

From the parking area, head north on the Nature Loop Trail; runners will enjoy seeing oak trees and numerous birds and critters collecting acorns, but watch out for poison oak. At the second trail junction, take a left onto Oak Trail to continue north.

This trail follows Bell Creek and is nicely shaded by oak and sycamore trees. Sage, lemonade berry, and prickly pear cactus also line the trail. When Oak Trail ends at the junction with Star Rise Trail, turn right to continue north to the intersection with Bell Canyon Trail. Turn right onto the wide doubletrack of Bell Canyon Trail, which hairpins back south and follows the canyon floor. The trail leads back to the top of the parking area via oak and sycamore groves.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.

Flora & Fauna

Oaks, sycamores, poison oak, wildflowers, numerous birds including red-tailed hawks and woodpeckers.

History & Background

Caspers Wilderness Park is the largest park in the OC Parks system at 8000 acres. The land was originally occupied by the Juaneños tribe, who were pushed out when Spain took control of the area in 1769. In the early 20th century, parcels of the land traded hands multiple times. In 1973, following the death of the last owner, Eugene Starr, the land was deeded to the National Audubon Society. The southern half of this was purchased by Orange County in 1974 and was set up as a park under the supervision of Chairman Ronald W. Caspers (the parks namesake). In 1984, the park expanded by purchasing parcels of land from the Rancho Santa Marguerita Company.

Contacts

Shared By:

John McKinney

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 3 votes

#4709

Overall
  3.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#651

in California

#4,709

Overall
7 Views Last Month
1,288 Since Aug 4, 2017
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

50%
50%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Sunlight on Sycamore
Aug 4, 2017 near Coto De…, CA
Lupine Nature Trail
Aug 4, 2017 near Coto De…, CA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Stewarded By

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.