Details on Mountain Biking Crystal Cove State Park, El Moro Canyon Backcountry, Laguna Beach / Newport Beach, Orange County, CA 
( Click on simple map of Crystal Cove State Park to enlarge )
 
 

  
  The following route was recommended as a good introduction to the park with a maximum of singletrack riding: Trailhead > El Moro Canyon Road  (N) > Slow N' Easy ( or West Loop Trail ) > Fence Line Trail > Redtail Ridge Trail > Rattlesnake Trail > Mach One (West Cut Across Road) > El Moro Canyon Road (S) > Return to Trailhead.

This route covers about 9.5 miles and 1250' of vertical climbing.  The route is very well signed and there are maps included in the Park Guide at the Ranger Station / Visitor Center ( or download one by clicking here ).  From the trailhead, stay on the main dirt road which is El Moro Canyon Trail for about 3.0 miles where you'll make a sharp left turn onto Slow N' Easy Rd . (West Loop Trail).  Cruise up Slow N' Easy for about 1.25 miles, enjoying great views of Catalina Island to the west and Santiago Peak to the northeast.  At about 4.25 miles you'll top out on the hill near an intersection with Fence Line Trail to the left and Elevator Road to the right.  Veer left onto Fence Line Trail, a nice, fast singletrack run along the ridgeline. In about 0.5 miles, or 4.75 miles total, you'll come to a T intersection with Redtail Ridge Trail where you'll go left, towards the ocean.  Stay with Redtail Ridge Trail as it veers left at a Y intersection with a wider trail veering right and steeply downhill. Redtail Ridge Trail narrows and merges seamlessly into Rattlesnake Trail at around 5.6 miles. Rattlesnake Trail is a great singletrack which rollercoasters, then ascends to a plateau on a ridgetop ,  descends as a wickedly steep and rutted trail to a lower plateau and a T intersection . Take Rattlesnake to the right at the T intersection and cruise downhill as the trail widens and at about 7.25 miles comes to an intersection with Mach One ( also called West Cut Across Road).  Take Mach One back to the intersection with El Moro Canyon Road , make a right and retrace your steps to the trailhead and parking lot.
   
I hope you enjoyed the ride!

Back close window and return to main page
 

 
  If you would like a detailed topographical map of this area return to the main Crystal Cove State Park and download one.  Better yet, get the TOPO! or Garmin MapSource software and download mps or tpo files of this area for excruciatingly detailed information on this area.