Fantasy Land in ‘Burbs

Oak-shaded canyons, grassy hills and handsome rose-colored sandstone cliffs are some of the attractions of Orange County’s Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. The 1,500-acre park, crisscrossed by trails, is a hiker’s delight.

“First-time visitors are amazed to find a lush oak woodland and rugged hills in such close proximity to suburban developments,� notes park ranger John Gannaway. “At Whiting Ranch, you can really get away from the hustle and bustle and daily jam.�

Gannaway and fellow rangers lead a nature walk every Saturday morning through the park’s Red Rock area. The walk begins at 9 a.m. at the start of Red Rock Trail. Bear in mind that to reach the start of Red Rock Trail, you must hike 1 1/2 miles from the park entrance on Portola Parkway. The three-quarter-mile-long nature walk/talk lasts about 1 1/2 hours. Children are welcome.

No reservations are required, but rangers ask that you call the park at (714) 589-4729 to let them know that you’re coming and the number in your party.

Rancho Canada de los Aliso was the land grant given in 1842 to Jose Serrano, who raised cattle until the great drought of 1864 bankrupted him. Dwight Whiting bought the land in 1885, planting vineyards and olive trees, as well as subdividing it. In 1959, the property was sold to a residential developer.

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, which opened to the public in 1991, is an oasis of green in a fast-growing area near Lake Forest in Orange County. While the park is indeed a wild land as its name suggests, the trail head is anything but. A shopping center, including a Target store, is across Portola Parkway. Near the trail head is a sculpture titled “California Song,� a windmill-topped tower that depicts native birds and wildlife.

Borrego Trail leads a mile through oak-studded Borrego Canyon, a peninsula of parkland surrounded on three sides by residential and commercial development. The path up Borrego Canyon leads to junctions with other trails that lead to more remote sections of the park.

Three popular hikes (mileage calculated from Portola Parkway trail head) include:

Vista Point Trail (four miles round trip) leads from Borrego Canyon to a high ridge for excellent views of south Orange County.

Red Rock Trail (four miles round trip) explores what some rock connoisseurs consider to be one of Orange County’s finest formations. It’s a 1 1/2-mile hike to reach Red Rock Trail, a half-mile pathway into the strangely eroded sandstone.

The Borrego Trail-Mustard Road-Whiting Road Loop is a grand six-mile tour of the park. The route climbs through heavily wooded Borrego Canyon, tops out at a junction called Four Corners, then descends Serrano Canyon to Portola Parkway. A mile of walking along the road brings you back to the trail head.

Directions to trail head: From Interstate 5 in the El Toro area, exit on Lake Forest Drive and proceed east 4.8 miles to Portola Parkway. Turn left and drive half a mile to the entrance and parking lot of Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park.

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Borrego Canyon, Whiting, Vista Point Trails

WHERE: Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Lake Forest

DISTANCE: 4 to 6 miles round trip.

TERRAIN: Oak-filled canyons, grassy ridges.

HIGHLIGHTS: Green oasis in fast-developing Orange County.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, P.O. Box 156, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678; tel. (714) 589-4729.