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10 Overnight Backpack Trips in Southern California

April 13, 2016 By Jeff Hester 26 Comments

The word is out. Southern California has a veritable plethora of hiking trails. And a plethora and a half of hikers exploring them. 99.9% of hikers are firmly in the day-hike only camp, and usually it’s just a matter of not knowing how to start and where to go to gain some backpacking experience. With this in […]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Hiking News Tagged With: Backpacking, Catalina, Crystal Cove, San Bernardino, San Gorgonio, Six-Pack of Peaks

Hiking Moro Canyon, Moro Ridge and the BFI in Crystal Cove State Park

January 3, 2011 By Jeff Hester 11 Comments

This loop is one of my favorite hiking trails in Crystal Cove State Park. At 5.5 miles and over 800′ of net vertical gain, this hike makes for a great workout. The length is about right to make it worth the trip, but won’t take all day. And the scenery is fantastic. The hike down […]

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 3-6 miles, coastal, Crystal Cove, moderate, Orange County

No Dogs to Poles to Moro Canyon Loop in Crystal Cove State Park

December 12, 2010 By Jeff Hester 4 Comments

This moderate 3 mile loop trail in Crystal Cove State Park used to be known as the Green Loop. Now maps at the visitor center don’t name it that, but color code it as blue to designate it as a moderate hike. This loop begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center. It travels across […]

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 3-6 miles, coastal, Crystal Cove, loop, moderate, Orange County

Hiking the Perimeter of Crystal Cove State Park

December 12, 2010 By Jeff Hester 9 Comments

Crystal Cove Pano East

Crystal Cove State Park is nestled in the coastal hills between Newport and Laguna Beach. This hiking trail traces the boundaries of the inland section of the park, climbing up and down ridge and valley through coastal scrub. I love this park, not only because it’s so well located for Orange County, but because you […]

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 8-10 miles, coastal, Crystal Cove, hike, hiking, loop, Orange County, photography, scenic, strenuous, trail, vista, wilderness

Inside Crystal Cove State Park

December 9, 2010 By Jeff Hester 14 Comments

Crystal Cove State Park is one of my favorite areas to hike in Orange County. Nestled in the coastal hills between Newport and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove feels like a world away from the OC. There are beautiful bluff-lined beaches, challenging hikes and panoramic coastal views. You can even go backpacking! Crystal Cove State Park […]

Filed Under: State Parks Tagged With: beach, Crystal Cove, State Park

About Jeff Hester

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking trails throughout Southern California--and occasionally beyond. I personally hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more...

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