OCLB Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

Serrano Creek, Line Shack, Mustard, Whiting Road and Serrano Cow Loop

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Beginning at 8:00 AM

Great Day for a Hike!

Time 8:00 AM meet at trail head

Length: 7.4 miles (loop trail)

Elevation gain: 1,217 ft

Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours

Difficulty level: Moderate

This hike was originally scheduled in February but cancelled due to rain.

Discover this 7.4-mile loop trail near Foothill Ranch, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 hours 24 minutes to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.

We will meet at 8:00 in the parking lot at Wahoo's Fish Taco, 27412 Portola Pkwy A, Lake Forest, CA 92610. We will begin our hike on Serrano Road, moving on to Line Shack, Whiting Road, Cactus Hill Trail, Whiting Spur Road, Mustard Road, and back via Line Shack and Serrano Cow Trail. 

Map:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/27412+Portola+Pkwy,+Lake+Forest,+CA+92610/@33.6720322,-117.6537206,18.88z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x80dce9fb0e0e0877:0x38e2e5a5f4b7833f!8m2!3d33.6714059!4d-117.65295!16s%252Fg%252F11bw41vd0q?entry=ttu

This loop takes you from the Serrano Creek trail to a series of loop trails known collectively as the "Billy Goat Trails". The Billy Goat Trails are rocky single track trails. There are great views from many points in the trail, but there is also little shade on most of the route. Serrano Creek and the connected trails are mostly hard packed fire roads. These trails are busy on weekends and are shared by hikers, mountain bikers, and runners. 

Bring the 10 essentials:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

Optional lunch with the group following the hike at:

Chipotle

26592 Towne Center Dr.

Lake Forest, CA 92610.