5.5 hr
Overview
The track starts with a steep climb on Nyes Place until you get to the top of Moulton Meadows. With a fantastic view of the mountains and the sea, you then go across the ridge on Aswut Trail and then onto a steep single trail downhill run with switchbacks all the way to the bottom of the Aliso Creek Canyon. <br><br>In the canyon, you ride on singletrack over a small bridge and then onto the valley bottom on the small dirt road through dense vegetation and trees. You then cross or jump over the creek twice before hitting the long, beautiful and gruesome climb on the ridge up to the Top of the World peak by Alta Laguna Park. <br><br>Once up at the peak, you then drop off the backside with scenic views over the Pacific Ocean and Laguna Beach. Make sure you take the southern track, Emmalisa's Bend, on the back side of the Top of the World peak, otherwise you end up on Laguna Canyon Road. <br><br>Head into the small narrow valley on the back side of Thurston Middle School on Park Avenue Trail and then step up for the last of the 3 climbs up to Park Avenue. Even though the last climb isn't that long, it'll take whatever you have left in your legs. <br><br>At the end of Park Avenue, go right onto Alta Laguna Boulevard. At the end of Alta Laguna Boulevard, go back down Aswut Trail over to Moulton Meadows and enjoy the steep and fast downhill on the Balboa Avenue. Break before you hit the bottom of Nyes Place so you don't run into the houses, as a big cement truck and a couple of cars have done in the past.
Trail Stats
17.6 km
638 m
301 m
26 m
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Photos
Golden autumn day
Golden autumn day
Car Wreck Trail as seen from Mathis Canyon Trail
Car Wreck Trail as seen from Mathis Canyon Trail
Top of Mathis by the fire hydrant overlooking Laguna Canyon Road with Catalina Island in background.
Top of Mathis by the fire hydrant overlooking Laguna Canyon Road with Catalina Island in background.
Just keep spinning!
Just keep spinning!
Racing down Meadows Trail on the first downhill stretch on the route
Racing down Meadows Trail on the first downhill stretch on the route
A beautiful patch of nature hides relatively untouched within the LA mega-metropolis.
A beautiful patch of nature hides relatively untouched within the LA mega-metropolis.
Bluebird Canyon -Laguna Beach, CA
Photo by Bill Freeman
Bluebird Canyon -Laguna Beach, CA Photo by Bill Freeman