Hiking Trail Guide: Santa Ana Mountains-Morgan Trail

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Santa Ana Mountains-Morgan Trail

Distance
8 miles

Elevation
400 feet gain

Difficulty
4/10

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. Continue beyond the El Cariso Campground (approximately 25 miles east of San Juan Capistrano) until reaching the South Main Divide Road-turn right (south), and continue about 2.8 miles to the signed Morgan trailhead. A Forest Service Adventure Pass is required to park at the trailhead, and can be obtained from a number of stores along Highway 74, ranger stations, or even from a sporting goods store near your home prior to your hike.

Description

The Morgan Trail offers the hiker a pleasant journey through oak woodlands and areas packed with vast, sweeping canyon vistas. Boulders, meadows, streams (in years during which ample rains have fallen), and an abundance of spring wildflowers embrace the edges of the trail and beckon the hiker to travel further and further (mostly downhill) on to the trail's junction with the Bear Canyon Trail about four miles southwest of the Morgan trailhead. From here, one can turn and retrace his or her steps back to the trailhead, or continue for approximately one additional mile west (bear right at the trail sign) to the Bear Canyon trailhead, where the friendly and famous Candy Store offers plenty of sustenance for the mostly uphill journey back to the car. Another option is to turn left at the sign and travel an additional five miles around the Bear Canyon Loop, return to the junction, turn right, and retrace your steps back to the Morgan trailhead.

Map / Directions: