Hiking Trail Guide: Dripping Cave, Aliso & Wood Cyns RW

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Dripping Cave, Aliso & Wood Cyns RW

Distance
5 miles

Elevation
300 feet gain

Difficulty
3/10

City
Laguna Niguel ,CA (92607) Weather Map

Trailhead
From Interstate 5: Take the Alicia Parkway exit. Head south. Five miles (about 100 yards past the intersection of Aliso Creek) south brings you to the entrance to the parking area, next to a church. Parking is $2. Be sure to visit the museum which features the skeleton of a ground sloth, named Waldo, discovered during the construction of the Foothill Transportation Corridor. Admission to the Museum is $2 per person or $4 per family. The trail begins just beyond the picnic area.

Description

Expensive housing tracts overlooking this open space and bikers humming up and down the main trails dilute the wilderness feel of this popular south Orange County regional park. If you're looking for a family hike that leads to an interesting destination, however, this may be your best pick.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for this stroll, though if you leave early in the day or in the late afternoon, summer visits may also prove pleasant. Aliso and Wood Creeks are not for splashing: heavy algae growth indicates polluting runoff from adjacent developments.

Erosion by wind and water formed the shallow caves you'll see in Wood Canyon. Stagecoach bandits used massive Dripping Cave as a hideout: you can still see the holes that they bored into the rock and the heavy soot residue from their fires on the topographically ridged ceiling.

Shade and drinking water are scarce. Come prepared.

Map / Directions: