Hiking Trail Guide: Santa Ana Mountains-Bear Canyon Loop Trail

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Santa Ana Mountains-Bear Canyon Loop Trail

Distance
6.5 miles

Elevation
1200 feet gain

Difficulty
5/10

City
Lake Elsinore ,CA (92531) 55 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From San Juan Capistrano, along Interstate 5, exit at Ortega Highway/Highway 74, and travel northeast. After 21 miles, turn left across from the Ortega Oaks Country Cottage (Candy Store), which is located .5 miles north of the Upper San Juan Campground, and park in the large lot for the Bear Canyon and San Juan Loop Trailheads. A Forest Service Adventure Pass is required to park here, and can be purchased in the Candy Store. The Bear Canyon Loop Trailhead is located west of the Candy Store (to the right as you are facing the store from the parking lot across the street).

Description

Ascending the sagey, rocky spirals of the Bear Canyon Trail, one is quickly elevated from the depths of nearby suburban mundanity and raucous street noise to the heights of blissful backcountry nirvana-yes, this really does exist in the proximity of O.C.!! This trail, located just off Hwy 74 and near the famous and friendly Ortega Oaks Candy Store, has something for every serious dayhiker. Quiet awaits at the border of the San Mateo Cyn Wilderness about .75 miles into the hike. A mile beyond, after turning right at the junction with the Morgan Tr., the magnificence of over-the-shoulder views escalates with the elevation-it's workout time!! Two miles later, a sign marks the beginning of the loop "balloon:" turn right for more shade while hiking uphill 1-1/4 miles to Four Corners (just beyond the gate)-turn left here and proceed another 1-1/4 mi. (Bear Cyn Ridge Tr. on the topo, now signed Bear Cyn Loop) to complete the loop, then continue back 2 mi. to the trailhead.

Map / Directions: