Читать книгу Afoot & Afield: Orange County. A Comprehensive Hiking Guide онлайн

90 страница из 92

The low-growing coastal sage scrub and grassland vegetation on the slopes and ridges hereabouts does little to block views of the ocean, hills, and distant mountains. This is a hike best taken, then, whenever the air is beautifully transparent.

From the Big Bend staging area, head south and start climbing immediately on the Big Bend Trail, a wide fire road. At 0.2 mile, just as you cross under some power lines, note the obscure path to the left. You will arrive at this spot again near the end of the hike. Turn right and head straight up the hill. Stay right at an immediate fork where a powerline road veers left.

Laguna Ridge Trail

The Big Bend Trail takes you ever upward along a ridgeline on a course absolutely committed to gaining elevation as quickly as possible. A couple of flat stretches along the way allow you to catch your breath and look around. Before long, cars and buildings in Laguna Canyon below begin to look toylike. You may spot scallop fossils near your feet if your eyes are glued to the ground.