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 Reporter |
Summary: God bless you, Edna Spaulding. You laid out a wonderful trail. If you're looking for a pleasant weekend day trip with the family in the foothills of Orange County, this is your destination. The trail is deftly tucked beneath a ridgeline so even at its highest point you don't see the new housing being built on the other side. In the springtime, native wildflowers crowd the trail on all sides. The natural vegetation is so exuberant that, at times, the trail may be lost in clusters of orange bush monkey flowers, coast paintbrush, star fields, white sage, and native bunch grasses. Watch for rattlesnakes everywhere and for poison oak along the bottomland portion. (It's stop 9!) Avoid the middle of the day when the sun is high in the sky. This makes a very pleasant early morning or late afternoon stroll. Pack a picnic lunch, play in the Oak Grove Picnic Area, and then head out to experience a touch of wilderness at the edge of the endless city. Trailhead: From Interstate 5, get off at El Toro Road. Head north on El Toro to the point where the road forks at Cook's Corner. Take the right fork (Live Oak Canyon Road) to O'Neill Park. Pay your entrance fee and proceed to the Oak Grove Picnic Area, about a quarter of a mile to the right. The trailhead is located at the northwest end of the Picnic Area. There is a $2 entrance fee for day use during the week, $4 on weekends. Camping is also available. Pick up a trail guide at the fee station or the Nature Center. (Lat:33.6506 Lon:-117.6025) Trail Guides for Edna Spaulding Nature Trail, O´Neill RP: Afoot & Afield in Orange County by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Horses, Ranger Contact: O'Neill Regional Park, 949-858-9365 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Joel Sax, who has posted 51 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Susan on 5/14/2007 This is a very doable hike for dogs and children. It is an uphill and then downhill hike but the views are nice and you can finish by having a picnic in Oak Grove area. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Orange County Hiking, Orange County Trails, Orange County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
