Red Rocks in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

Oaks on the Borrego Canyon Trail

Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.

Red Rocks Trail in Whiting Ranch

• Location: Foothill Ranch in eastern Orange County.  From Interstate 5, take the Bake Parkway exit and head northeast (left if you are coming from the north, or right if from the south) and go 5.5 miles to the end of the road.  Take a left on Portola Parkway and a quick right into the shopping center (opposite Market place) and follow the signs for the park.  Parking is $3 on week days, $5 on weekends and $7 on holidays.
• Agency: Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
• Distance: 4 miles
• Elevation gain: 500 feet
• Difficulty Rating: PG
• Suggested time: 2 hours
• Best season:  September – June
• USGS topo maps: “El Toro”
• Recommended gear: sun hat
• Recommended guidebook: Afoot and Afield: Orange County
• More information: here; trip reports here
• Rating: 6

For a trail that begins in a shopping center, this four-mile walk to the Red Rocks formation in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park offers a surprising amount of isolation and a good variety of scenery.

From the parking lot, take the Borrego Canyon Trail north into the park.  Although the canyon is bordered by residential areas on both sides, you barely see any traces of civilization.  The beginning of the trail is shaded by some gigantic live oaks.  For the next mile and a half, the trail goes in and out of the shade before arriving at an intersection.  Take a right onto Mustard Road, pass a picnic area and a trail branching off to the left, and take the second left onto the Red Rocks trail.

The Red Rocks trail leads through an open meadow filled with oaks and cacti burned in the 2007 fires that swept through the area.  You get glimpses of the Red Rock formations, and before long you arrive at the end of the trail.  Here you can get some nice close-up views of the sandstone formations–from the welcome shade of an arroyo willow.

After taking in the scene, return the way you came.  You can take the 0.2 mile Cattle Pond Loop on the way back for variety.

In addition to interesting geological and botanical scenery, the wildlife sighting is good here: I have seen several kinds of birds, a lot of squirrels, and deer on two of the four times I’ve done the route.