Elev. gain: 1,804 feet
Duration: 3 hours, 55 minutes (with a long lunch break)
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs are allowed
Best time to hike: October through May (too hot during the summer)
The hike is mostly uphill to the turnaround point, but not too steep.
Trailhead
A parking lot directly across from the Candy Store on Ortega Highway (map). A National Forest Adventure Pass is required. The day pass can be purchased at the Candy Store.
Post Hike Considerations
The Candy Store sells sandwiches, chocolate dipped strawberries and homemade fudge, among other things. Or if you want to reward yourself with a well-earned cerveza, you can head a little further up Ortega Highway to a biker bar called Hell’s Kitchen. It’s not as rough as it sounds, and you can get a burger and a beer. The condiments are served in a casket!
Morgan Trail Map and Elevation Profile
Morgan Trail Photo Gallery
I have lived in Lake Elsinore my whole life and never knew about this trail. Going to check it out! Thank you for the post.
Just to clarify, The West trailhead is on the same side of the road as the candy store at the bear Canyon Trail, then the Morgan Trail spurs off after 1 mile.
If you hike to the east trail head, you will go through several types of vegetation , chaparral, then Oaks, had a great time. I would not advise it however in the middle of summer.
this site is amazing, thank you for all your work on this! love the dogs allowed sorting feature! Trying this hike tomorrow morning
Hi I just recently hiked the Morgan Trail and was wondering if anyone knows which plant/shrub I was smelling. The whole time I could smell the fragrance and it just blew me away. I thought it was juniper I was smelling, but I don’t think it is. The leaves look like Tarragon, but i’m not sure. There is one bud at the top of every stalk. Maybe it flowers I don’t know, but I was just there on Memorial Day weekend. I live on the East Coast and would love to know. Thank you!