Crystal Cove State Park - Laguna Beach - Bike Site - Mountain Bike Trails, Bicycle Information for - Bike Shops in

Crystal Cove State Park - Laguna Beach Trailhead - Monday, May 20, 2013

Crystal Cove State Park - Laguna Beach - Orange County
The entrance to Crystal Cove Park is off the east side of Pacific Coast Highway, about 1.5 miles north of Laguna Beach or 3.5 miles south of Newport Beach. Look for a sign (El Moro Canyon) just north of the El Moro Trailer Park. Park inside the park ($5 day use fee) next to the Visitor Center. Detail maps can be purchased at the Visitor Center. Thomas Guide page 920

#84
Tuesdays and parking - EJ, Tuesday night is the historic/folkloric SHARE ride. It started in 87 as Del's Angels and has continued on. That is why Tuesday is busy.

Yep, $10. Move your parking to a side street like the rest. Trader Joe's parking is best.
Posted on 07/13/04

#83
wow, it is $10 to park - I thought it was just high for July 4th weekend, but went there today, but luckily the office was closed, so I could park for free. Does anyone know if its safe to park at the school? There is a sign saying you can be cited...what's the scoop?

By the way, what's up with Tuesdays there? The place was a zoo...almost hit 2 people on the tight singletrack at the top. Parking lot must have had 30 cars in it. Never seen it that busy.
EJ a Cross-Country Rider riding a Blur from Irvine
Posted on 07/13/04

#82
wow, it is $10 to park - I thought it was just high for July 4th weekend, but went there today, but luckily the office was closed, so I could park for free. Does anyone know if its safe to park at the school? There is a sign saying you can be cited...what's the scoop?

#81
wow, it is $10 to park - I thought it was just high for July 4th weekend, but went there today, but luckily the office was closed, so I could park for free. Does anyone know if its safe to park at the school? There is a sign saying you can be cited...what's the scoop?

#80
I just discovered this trail - I have been there twice this week, what an awesome view. It seems like I am the last Hardtailer left on Earth?
Ride rating: Intermediate
Ride distance: 3.6 Elevation change:
Dirt Road=100%
David Mosikian a 31 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Gary Fisher Ziggurat from Huntington Beach E-mail:this user
Posted on 06/17/04

#79
No ML sightings - Went on a solo ride Monday despite the recent reports of a ML sighting. Went up BFI for a change, and about 1/2 way up saw a deer staring at me. It retreated into the tall brush/weeds and watched as I climbed away. Made my way to the back of the park after passing another lone mtb'r, and hit the singletrack. Conditions are getting pretty sandy and loose in some spots. Right before Rattlesnake begins on Redtail, saw about 6 large snake crossing within about 40 ft...no snakes though. Looks like somebody has done some trimming on Rattlesnake as I didn't get quite so scratched up as usual. Up Mach One and back to the car just as the clouds were coming back in.
Ride distance: 10 Elevation change:
RDC a 28 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster
Posted on 06/15/04

#78
Not sure what happened but... - yesterday morning I went up BFI. I first thing I noticed was someone removed the erosion control rocks at the top of the first climb on BFI. I thought it was kind of lame because they weren't hard to clear. The rocks looked more difficult than they really were. Then at the concrete culvert that goes beneath the trail about halfway up, I noticed on the downhill side of the deep rut that crosses the trail, it looked like someone went down hard. Lots of foot prints around where someone had been on the ground. I hope whoever it was isn't hurt too bad.
Dan a 52 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Stumpjumper from Garden Grove
Posted on 06/09/04

#77
Steveo - Anybody know what happened on the South Connector Trail (also known as "B.F.I") Sunday afternoon. I saw 2 helicopters, one appearing to be maybe a medivac dusting the area. Than a ranger nearly ran us off the trail headed up there. It hapened around 5:30 or so. Lots of action Hopefully no one is seriously injured.

Steveo a 25 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Rubber Ducky from Irvine
Posted on 06/07/04

#76
Header on Rattlesnake - MDA, that sounds like you were lucky. I had a very similar experience with a taco. Only it was at Band Camp.
Ride rating: Beginner
Ride distance: oodles Elevation change: many
Singletrack=50% Dirt Road=50% Paved Path=50% Truck Trail=37%
Mike C. a 44 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Schwinn (is there any other?) from HB
Posted on 05/30/04

#75
Took a header on rattlesnake - Friday (4-28-04) I took a spill over the handlebars on rattlesnake. Luckily I was wearing my helmet, which has a cracked shell now...Turned my front rim into a taco. My buddy straightened my wheel so I could ride out in a daze with no front brake. On my way out I see a rider coming in with no helmet...

It was great ride with a slight drizzle keeping the trails from dusting up. Despite the header, messed up bike and helmet, I had a great ride...It wouldn't have been if I wasn't wearing a helmet...
Ride rating: Expert
Ride distance: 10 Elevation change:
Singletrack=65% Dirt Road=45%
MDA a 34 year old Weekend Warrior riding a cannondale jekyll from Aliso Viejo
Posted on 05/29/04

#74
Great Condition - Sweet ride yesterday - the trail is in great shape. Started at the top of the parking lot, down Mach One, then climbed I Think I Can. From there went up the east ridge til the singletrack. Killer going through Missing Link then to the Fence Line. This is one of the best singletrack in OC. So much better going west bound on it. From there went down Elevator, then back to the car. Get out there guys. What a blast!!!

Ride HARD, Ride FAST!!!
Ride rating: Novice
Ride distance: 10 miles Elevation change:
Big Joe a Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Intense Tracer from Corona
Posted on 04/30/04

#73
Overgrown with Mustard - Did my after work loop yesterday, up I think I can, back to the singletrack, down Rattlesnake, up Mach one back to the car. The mustard is growing wild, some of it is a good 8-9ft tall now. The overall dirt conditions are excellent right now, not much sand. The initial part of Rattlesnake right after Redtail Ridge is getting very narrow. Be prepared to get scratched up with branches through that section. Tons of mustard growing at the bottom of Rattlesnake that has made the fireroad into a dual track. Nice evening for a ride, and not many people out.
Ride distance: 10 Elevation change:
RDC a 28 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster
Posted on 04/23/04

#72
Deep cyn trail - First time here. Started on No Dogs with no problems. Continued on up to No Name Spur. Found It a bit rutted. Since this was my first time I cam back down Deep Cyn to Ticketron. Absolutely in terrible shape, had to walk down portions because of all the rutts.
Ride rating: Intermediate
Singletrack=15% Dirt Road=85%
WTB Phoenix a 35 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Wtb Phoenix Ti from Irvine
Posted on 03/27/04

#71
Deep cyn trail - First time here. Started on No Dogs with no problems. Continued on up to No Name Spur. Found It a bit rutted. Since this was my first time I cam back down Deep Cyn to Ticketron. Absolutely in terrible shape, had to walk down portions because of all the rutts.
Ride rating: Intermediate
Singletrack=15% Dirt Road=85%
WTB Phoenix a 35 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Wtb Phoenix Ti from Irvine
Posted on 03/27/04

#70
Time to dry out! - Normally it takes a couple of days after a rain for the trails to be opened, but I find with a light rain the trails may be opened within a day. With all the rain they got last night it may take several days. You can call the park office at (949) 494-3539 to check if the trails are open. I have hiked the trails after a rain and some areas are so slippery that its hard even to walk. This past week the park office has had a recording, but leave your number and someone will call back. They've been really good about this, my thanks to them. I know what you mean having a new bike and it raining like crazy. I just got a '04 Stumpjumper FSR and need to get it out on my regular mid-week trails. Up BFI, Moro Ridge,to Missing Link, Fenceline, Redtail, down Rattlesnake, up Mach One, No Name Ridge, Ticketron, back up to Red Tail, to Fenceline, down Slow 'n' Easy, and out along Moro Cyn. It's a fun ride and a good workout.
Dan a 51 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a '04 Stumpjumper FSR from Garden Grove
Posted on 02/26/04

#69
Curious - How long after it rains should I wait to ride here? I don't know how well CC dries up, but I'll be down in the area on Sunday and I think I'll try it out. Let me know if this is a bad idea. I gotta ride somewhere soon; the week that I get a new bike it rains like crazy. Shite luck
KingOfRain a Cross-Country Rider riding a 04 Enduro Comp from Fullerton
Posted on 02/26/04

#68
Rattlesnake Brushing - If you want to get some friends together and come up with a date I will make arrangements with SHARE mtb club to provide tools and lunch. We can't use power tools this time of year so it will have be manual brushing with lopers and pruners. There is still some work to do on the technical section too if you want to make a morning of it. If you are serious and really want to get some work done, email me and we'll get it done. SHARE has so many projects that the volunteer pool gets tapped out but if you can get 5 or 6 people together we can get a LOT done.
Robin a Cross-Country Rider riding a Wild Hare E-mail:this user
Posted on 02/20/04

#67
Thanks.... - for letting us know about the fire and thank you for the work on Rattlesnake. It is one of my favorite spots in OC to ride, and if it weren't for Rattlesnake it wouldn't be the same. Wonder if we could set up a day to trim back some of the brush/branches at the beginning of Rattlesnake as it is getting a bit overgrown and narrow there. I always come out with scratches from that part. Again, your efforts are appreciated!
RDC a 28 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster
Posted on 02/20/04

#66
Rain Policy - Sorry about the double post below. Concerning CCSP's rain closure policy you mentioned in an earlier post, I have been working with the park management for a couple of years to change the policy to "closed to all users". I finally got word last week that this is in process. Hopefully this will put an end to the trail damage after rain in this park. It seemed like the equestrians liked to ride right after rain because they knew there would be no mountain bikers out there. Hence, pot holes on our favorite single tracks. You will be seeing new signs soon!
Robin a Cross-Country Rider riding a Wild Hare E-mail:this user
Posted on 02/20/04

#65
Fire - The fire was caused by a bird flaming out on the power wires then falling into the brush. Third time this has happened and only a matter of time until the big one.
Robin riding a Wild Hare E-mail:this user
Posted on 02/20/04

#64
Fire - The fire at the bottom of Rattlesnake was caused by a bird that flamed out on the power wires and fell into the brush. Edison is supposed to keep the area below the poles cleared but hasn't done a very good job. This is the third time this has happened and only a matter of time before the big one.
BTW I'm the one working to keep Rattlesnake narrow and stop people from widening the trail to make it easier to ride. This is one of the few remaining legal technical trails left and I intend to keep it that way. The park is in full support of my work.
Robin a Cross-Country Rider riding a Wild Hare from HB E-mail:this user
Posted on 02/20/04

#63
Fire damage! - Anyone know what happened at the bottom of Rattlesnake? Got done riding the tech section and CRAP! Everything is burned, hardly any trees or shrubs left. Was this a controlled burn done on purpose or did someone do something stupid? Otherwise trails are getting a little dusty but still good conditions.
Ride distance: 15 Elevation change:
RDC a 28 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Foes FXR
Posted on 02/15/04

#62
good ride - was itchin' to ride on such a nice day, so around 2:30 i
arrived in the lot, only 5 other trucks/cars there. did my usual
ride, enter at the bottom of the lot, down the canyon, up i think
i can, along the top to the redtail singletrack, then the fencline
singletrack (is that what its called?) over to rattlesnake, i
really love that section of singletrack after the fireroad forks
and you veer left to enter the beginning area of singletrack,
carry lots of speed (with caution) and just lean and rail the
turns, so much fun. continue to the top of rattlesnake, down
rattle snake, no dabs, (went down the middle too), jammed
down that fireroad and back up to the top of mach one,
managed to break a spoke on the climb to the top of mach
one, not sure how that happened, after getting to the top of
mach one, hung a left and "roller coastered" to no dogs and
back to the parking lot.

was a great ride, only saw 2 other riders the entire time and
the dirt was nice, not too loose at all. finished up in an hour
and 15 minutes or so.
Ride distance: 10.25miles Elevation change:
beedee riding a jamis dakar from long beach
Posted on 01/22/04

#61
Sunny Days - I've just returned to the sunny U.K after a couple of
weeks riding a few trails around laguna beach (
and one up in Death Valley) after reading about
them on this site before I left the U.K. Any trail
called "rattlesnake trail" had to be seen. Just
wanted to say a big thanks to those behind the site
which helped start the ball rolling - I brought my
own bike with me and it was a blast.Also met a
few good people on the trail and was given some
good info. Did a ride back home yesterday andnot
sure if it's something you've seen much of but it
was 6-12 inches of mud ALL the way. more like
skating than cycling , big contrast but that's what
it's all about . Cheers again anyway.
simon a 36 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Trek Fuel 100 from London England
Posted on 01/12/04

#60
Thanks for the trail maint. - Just wanted to thank that guy I've seen the past 2 Wed. mornings doing maintenance on Rattlesnake. Not sure who you are but it's appreciated. Trails are in really good shape, aside from the clumps of dirt that the hikers make in the mud. I see that they have been closing the trails during/after rain only to mountain bikers, but not to hikers...WTF???
RDC a Cross-Country Rider riding a '03 Foes FXR from Westminster
Posted on 12/18/03

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