Recently, Ashley and I had the opportunity to do a short hike in Mission Viejo's Wilderness Glen. This is a fun short urban hike that is perfect for kids. However, if you are looking for a true wilderness feel this is not the hike for you due to the proximity of homes. For more pictures, make sure to check out or
Facebook Page.
Directions to Trailhead: To get to the hiking trail at the Mission Viejo Wilderness Glen, there are several options, the easiest is to park at Del Lago Elementary School in Mission Viejo. Del Lago Elementary School's address is 27181 Entidad Mission Viejo, CA 92691-1099. Coming from the 5 freeway exit on Alicia Parkway and head toward the
Santa Ana Mountains (Mission Viejo). Proceed a couple miles and make a left onto Trabuco Rd, proceeded by a right onto Los Alisos (The next Light). Follow Los Alisos for a couple miles and make a left onto Entidad, the school is there on the right side. The trailhead begins there across on the other side of Entidad.
Description of Hike: The total length of the Wilderness Glen hiking trail in Mission Viejo is about 2 miles long, out and back, so 4 miles roundtrip if you hike the whole trail. Parts of the trail are paved and other parts are not, but the trail is in good shape and is relatively flat. At each of the street crossings, there are paths that go under the bridges, don't take those paths as they do not connect to the main Wilderness Glen trail. Once you get close to Trabuco road, sections of the trail, get difficult to follow and you will have to cross a concrete drainage basin. The overall elevation gain for the whole Wilderness Glen hiking trail is about 300 ft. This is an easy hike. There is a little stream that flows through the valley along the entire length of trail. Overall the Wilderness Glen comprises over 100 acres of open space. It is also surrounded by several other large sections of open space and wilderness preserves that give this Mission Viejo hike a more wilderness feel in an urban setting. However, if you are looking to get away from an urban setting this hike is not for you. There is no charge for parking. Free is a great price. The Mission Viejo Wilderness Glen is located near our
Mission Viejo Open Space hike.
Further Thoughts: Ashley and I enjoyed our outing in Mission Viejo's Wilderness Glen. While hiking/walking in this area you are likely to see other people out enjoying this hiking trail. It is popular with people who live around it. Usually, when hiking in this area you will usually see some type of wildlife. We have seen coyotes in this area as well as hawks and other animals. As indicated above, if you are looking to get out and get a true wilderness feel, this hike is not for you.
When beginning on the trail from the school across the street, make sure to say on the side closest to the slope (right side of the trail), do not take a left and take the trail to the street because it ends at the street and you will have to backtrack to the main trail. This is another nice urban hike that does offer hikers some pretty nice views of an urban wilderness.
Rating: Elevation Gain: 300 ft. (Easy), Distance: 4 Miles Roundtrip (Easy).
Time to Complete Hike: 1.5 - 2.5 hours.
MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON THE MISSION VIEJO WILDERNESS GLEN
August 6, 2011(This Post)
MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS IN MISSION VIEJO
Wilderness Glen (This Post)
View Wilderness Glenn in a larger map
You should have seen this dedicated area in 1970's when I was a kid, and no homes around for miles.
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