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Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

BOMMER RIDGE, BIG BEND and LAGUNA RIDGE Loop Trail

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LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK 

Activity: Day Hike

9.5 Miles, 1,900’ elevation gain, 5 hour duration, rated Hard

8-6-20

This trek through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park starts in a neighborhood in Laguna Beach. As you climb up you get a $Million$ Dollar View, but where this hike differs from previously hiking in this area is where it dips down a mountain bike trail towards Laguna Canyon Road. (Be advised that Laguna Coast Wilderness as of June 2021 has made some new designations deeming certain trails as Mountain Bike Trails and certain trails as Hiking Trails so you might have to revise your hike somewhat.)

Part of the trail was definitely made with serious mountain bikers in mind as I spied built up ramping for high speed hairpin turns. I interviewed a Mountain Biker at the bottom of the hill on Laguna Canyon Road. I tried to get video of him as I could hear him coming down as I stepped off the trail, but he was too speedy. I mentioned, “that looks like a pretty challenging route, with rough spots, rocks, drop offs ducking branches, and even spots where a rider gets launched. He said “yeah”, with a smirking grin. I noticed he had a chest mounted camera. I confessed,  “whenever I’m on steep hard pack and dust, and attempt to brake I seem to slide and then I’m in trouble.” He replied, “I  try not to brake and just concentrate on the line.”  I’m thinking to myself, wow I don’t want to be going that fast. He obviously was an accomplished rider.  

Heading up from Laguna Canyon Road on Big Bend Trail, you know it’s hard when your heels don’t touch.  Usually when there is this sort of a gain in altitude all at once they put in switch backs… Not Big Bend. Even though it is an all at once climb and seemingly straight up I would rather take that challenge head on then be coming down that steep dusty trail and be slipping and sliding.

My personal tracker revealed that I had travel more miles then that 8 miles that my app noted.  My personal miles were at 9.5 miles.  Whether it is 8 miles or over 9 miles this journey had many good attributes to it. Very scenic with breath taking views of the Pacific and Laguna Beach, great exercise both in effort as well in length of journey.

“When we walk like we are rushing we print anxiety and sorrow on the earth. We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the earth… Be aware of the contact between your feet and the earth. Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Another fun outing in nature the sky, the water, the hills, cactus and wildflowers, walking, hiking, just enjoying the day. It is all about ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’ taking off that heavy pack of work work work, rush here and rush there, cleaning and chores, care for the kids and all of the everyday things that are needed to exist. Those are just some of the things that are a must, but you need to find a balance… to bring you back towards center. Profound experiences in nature can do bring that much needed balance. So every once in a while take off that heavy work back and trade it for a lighter day back. Stay with me for the next adventure. You can do that by these simple efforts: FOLLOW, LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT. The menu above is a guide to many more places that PBTA travels to. Check them out- maybe you will want to add them to your To Do List along with grocery shopping, dental appointments, mowing the lawn, and cleaning out the garage. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. SHOP APPAREL is an excellent source for Adventure Wear and sports that ever important mantra to help keep things in check.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

“Bloomer” Trail

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BOMMER RIDGE TRAIL – OLD EMERALD ROAD TRAIL

LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Activity: Day Hike

8.5 miles, 1160’ elevation gain, 4 hour duration, rated Moderate

6-11-21

On this mid June day I nicknamed Bommer Ridge Trail “Bloomer” Trail. The prickly pear cactus are in bloom and it made the hike very special. I first came upon the delightful sight along Bommer Ridge Trail, but the very best blooms, as I took the loop clockwise, was on Old Emerald Road Trail, past the oak grove at the bottom of the hike. As I worked my way up the hillside there was a large garden of the prickly pear cactus stock full of blooms.

I always prefer a loop hike to just out and back. I love to see as much territory as possible and it beats just back tracking. Bommer Ridge Trail afforded wonderful views of the entire area, the mountains such as Saddleback and others farther off in the distance, the canyon below, as well as the Pacific and even glimpses of Catalina Island through the rising coastal fog. I dropped down Old Emerald Trail which quickly took an Easy hike and bumped it up a notch to Moderate. It was a somewhat steep descent and of course what goes down has to climb back out so it was a nice workout.

Old Emerald Falls Trail from the bottom of the hike climbs into Moro Ridge Road and from there I opted to do the Fence Line Trail which I love as it winds around on a small single track which is mostly for mountain bikes so listen for them while on this trek. When the mountain bike route runs it’s course then its back on Boomer or in this case “Bloomer” Ridge Trail and back to the trailhead.

Life is like a cactus thorny but beautiful.

Thanks for joining me on “Bloomers” Trail ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. The cactus flowers were wonderful and what a great way to find a little balance in ones life by getting exercise, breathing fresh air, taking in the sight of canyon, mountain, ocean, island, and of course the star of this episode the blooming cactus flower. Join me next time by leaving a COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you go up to the menu near the top of the page you will find more adventures to behold in many areas of the West. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Top quality PBTA branded adventure wear can be obtained at SHOP APPAREL. There is a 30% OFF FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL on all PBTA Cotton Tee’s. Simply message me with your order to score the SPECIAL DEAL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure