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El Morro trails/Crystal Cove State Beach
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
4 reviews for El Morro trails/Crystal Cove State Beach
One of the best spots for Mountain Biking (and hiking). This is a nice and versatile trail you can make it very very challenging or just tedious. But you are rewarded with some spectacular views of the Corona Del Mar/Newport Coast Area - sweeping ocean views.
Ive been to Carbon Canyon and the Fullerton Loop both good for where they are and their intended purpose - but this is one amazing trail and afterward head to the Shake Shack, the beach or the Beachcomber to freshin up!
Highly recommended. Get a map of the trail for sure especially if you are a novice. Bring a cell phone, helmet and a Camel Back on warm days.
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I went for a walk here with my parents in April, and it was gorgeous. You can get a map of the trails from the rangers at the entrance. We took one of the shorter trails, but we still had great views of the ocean. Plus the natural vegetation that grows here is completely different from anything we have on the east coast, so it was neat to experience that. It's probably one of the last natural areas left in this part of Orange County.
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If you like to hike, walk, mountain bike, with a great view of the ocean, come here! It is so relaxing and there are different trials you can take, some easier than others. There is a nice breeze because of the ocean so it doesn't get too hot. The trails are wide and easily defined. The only thing is that parking is about $10, but if you want to get an annual pass, it is only about $25! I think that is a steal. :) It is right off of PCH and El Moro, next to the school.
And since you are right near the beach, you can relax after a hike/walk/biking!
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If you like to hike ,or mountain bike,or be outside with what is left of SoCal nature, you're going to love this place. There are several types of trails to choose from,depending on your physical capabilities or mode for the day. The terrain is mostly gravel/dirt and some loose sand. But for the most part, the trails are well-defined and easy to stay on. There are trail markers, although they may seem a little hard to interpret at first. I carried along a trail book I got from the Library and was okay.
There is alot of weekend foot and bike traffic, but most everybody was eager to oblige when being passed, or when passing. The mtn.bikers were mostly the ones who ,I felt, needed to communicate sooner when approaching a group of hikers. But in the mtn.bikers defense, the walkers and hikers tend to bunch up and are unaware. So there needs to be constant monitoring by oneself so that the trails remain safe and hassle-free.
All in all, I had a challenging but fun hike. I chose a series of trails that started at a fairly gradual acscent, which gave me a chance to limber up and get ready. Soon I encountered a series of "whoop-de-do's" that were steep but do-able. It then wrapped around the north end of the Park, bordering a housing developement (wow,imagine that. In OC?). I rested a bit. Took some photos of some wild mustard and spring blossoms, and then headed towards the south for another trail. Little did I realize that this Deer Canyon Trail turned into a pretty strenuous hike through sun-baked sandstone and weeds. I made it but ascending the final stage of trail was pretty exhausting.
You can push yourself and test your endurance only to find yourself in a scary predicament. So be wary of your condition and know that most of the time, we "cut off more than we can chew". I was constantly sipping on water and munching on GORP- a trail mix of energizing raisins, dried banana chips, nuts, seeds, and M&M's.I carried several 20 ounce bottles of water in my pack, as well as a first-aid kit, whistle, safety blanket, knife, and sunblock. "Be prepared "is the motto to be followed and is essential to survival .
For the most part, I encountered hikers and mtn.bikers frequently so if I did get into some trouble, I felt confident that somebody would be able to hear me in a short time.Just like in most parts of SoCal this time of year, there are rattlesnakes, tarantulas , bobcat, coyote, and mountain lions patrolling their home so be aware and stay alert. I would recommend the buddy system here just in case. I also noticed a Park Ranger hiking, making sure everything was cool.
At the end of my sweat-out/ work-out, I descended to the parking lot where the last fifteen minutes gave me a 270 degree panoramic view of Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and far off in the distance, the Port of Long Beach(home) and even further off, the Santa Monica mountain range. It was beautiful. we live in a pretty cool area. If only somebody could have picked me up and dunked me into the cool surf of Crystal Cove.
This State Park and trail area is very easy to find from Pacific Coast Hwy. It is posted several miles proir to arriving. Generally the Park charges to enter, but lately, the Guard shack has been vacant. So I just park it, lace up my boots and head in.
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