Last weekend we took some friends to the caves at Aliso & Woods Canyons. The first mile and a half trek on the paved road to the main trailhead isn't very exciting. We put the kids on bikes to keep them from getting tuckered out early. But the open space, so rare in Orange County, felt amazing.
On our way, my 6yo son took a pit stop to relieve himself. He was barely off the trail when we heard this....
Oh yes, it's that time of year again when it just isn't a good idea to be wandering off into the brush. This is the second rattler we've seen in Aliso & Woods out of the three total we've ever seen.
Here's cave rock. Wind and water erosion has formed many caves like it in Laguna. Unfortunately, most of them can't be conveniently accessed along a trail like this one.
This is dripping cave. Legend goes that stagecoach bandits used it as a hideout. You can still see the holes that they bored into the rock and the heavy soot residue from their fires on the topographically ridged ceiling. This was the first time we went when it was actually "dripping".
This tree and others provide a shady oak canopy as you head towards the cave. There's something magical about walking under the cover of these trees that dot the hillsides in South County. It's a beautiful, welcome respite during a long, hot hike. I just love the character of its branches.
There is an entrance in the City of Aliso Viejo that is beautiful from the start. Trail to the left leads to Dripping cave, Niguel Indian hut et. Trails to right lead to Laguna Beach. You'll have to ask rangers directions to the AV entrance. I can't remember exactly where it is.
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