Dilley’s Preserve, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Activity: Day Hike

Date: July 10, 2019

Distance: 3 miles, 350′ elevation change, 1 hour duration, rated Easy

Dilley’s Preserve is named after an advocate for green belts and natural land set aside for the enjoyment of it’s residents.  This particular hike in Laguna Coast Wilderness I have to say is not my favorite.  It is cool to see a natural lake in a dry arid environment, after all Southern California is basically a desert on the beach, but it is not quite the soul searching place that I am seeking while “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure”.  It’s not that it doesn’t have nice trails, rolling hills, and nature because it does, but it also has a busy roadway that if it is not in view, is in earshot, except when you are down in the canyon area and the sound of the bees pollinating the flowers just about drowns out the traffic noise.

The hike is easy and starts out relatively flat until you get past the lake then you get the elevation change pretty quickly.  You are now moving away from the freeway, but you at once can see that the entire property boarders neighborhoods.  So in my view this is nice for the people in the nearby neighborhoods to have an area to stretch their legs, but there are better hikes in the Laguna Coast Wilderness.

Barbara’s Lake Loop Trail Map

Trail Head Sign In

Trail Head requests and warnings. Rattlesnakes if you keep a watchful eye you should be fine. The only picks of flowers should be pics.

Trail Head has a machine that you can pay for your parking which is $3

Dilley Preserve is park of the OC Parks Laguna Coast Wilderness

The trail doesn’t have a lot of shade but it does have some.

Pretty wildflowers along the trail

It is nice, because it is so unusual, to see a natural lake in Orange County. It is important to the animals that inhabit the Laguna Coast Wilderness such as coyotes, bobcat, raccoon and skunk. The lake itself has fish and frogs

Barbara’s Lake

From a higher vantage point you can see a good portion of Dilley Preserve. Unfortunately for me that means it is not as nature like as I am seeking as I am Pursuing Balance Through Adventure.

The trail her is made of lose stones. So watch your footing.

This portion of the trail is a little rutted out. Be-careful not to turn an ankle on lose rocks.

The Barbara’s Lake Loop has varying trails and vegetation.

This row of pictures show some of the various paths, some you need to watch your footing.

Rolling Hills in Dilley’s Preserve

This is the type of terrain that we are used to when hiking in the OC wilderness areas.

Barbara’s Lake is a hike that is easy to follow. It is pretty well marked. There is only one junction at the highest area of Dilley Perserve that is a little confusing with converging trails.

Hills and flowers

My favorite part of the hike, besides seeing the lake is when you are down in the canyon. It is there where you feel like you are getting away.

‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ attempts to inspire your adventurous passions for nature and so that you can find balance in your life.  Join me next time for more adventure as we all seek balance.  Please COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW, & SHARE, and hey check out the new ‘Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure’ apparel by clicking on Shop Apparel.

Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure