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Whiting Ranch Wilderness
Park encompasses approximately 1,600 acres of Riparian and Oak Woodland
canyons, rolling grassland hills, and steep slopes of Coastal Sage
Scrub and Chaparral. The park is highlighted by scenic rock formations,
including the beautiful Red Rock Canyon. There are three intermittent
streams: Borrego, Serrano and Aliso Creek meandering through the
park, each hosting an abundance of wildlife. Remnants of the former
cattle ranching days can been seen throughout the park.
Activities
The park is crisscrossed
by 15 miles of graded roads and single-track trails, providing excellent
opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The Red
Rock Canyon and Billy Goat trails are reserved for hikers only.
The McFadden Ranch House,
park office and interpretive center, features a trail rest stop
for the Aliso Creek Regional Trail, cultural and natural history
exhibits, and park information.
Nature walks for school
and community groups are available with advanced reservations; Group
size and tour days are restricted by staff availability. Minimum
size: 10 people.
History
The properties now known
as Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and the Foothill Ranch community
have associations with several pioneer Orange County families. In
1842, Jose Serrano was granted 10,668 acres of land known as Rancho
Canada de Los Alisos. Serrano and his sons raised crops to sell
such as corn, beans and watermelons. However, their principal industry
was cattle, from which hides and tallow were sold. Unfortunately,
the drought of 1863 and 1864 caused the death of Serrano's herds,
forcing foreclosure of the ranch to Los Angeles banker J.S. Slauson
and Associates. Slauson divided the ranch into ten parcels, the
largest being 10,000 acres. The property was then sold to Dwight
Whiting in 1885. Whiting encouraged the development of El Toro by
subdividing level land, bringing the railroad through, and by planting
olive trees, grape vineyards and some 400 acres of eucalyptus trees.
This area is now known as Lake Forest. However, due to the arid
climate and poor soil, agricultural use was unsuccessful. In 1959,
the Whiting properties were sold to V.P. Parker and Associates,
and residential development has since ensued.
In July of 1988, approximately
1,200 acres were dedicated to Orange County to be preserved as an
open space wilderness park. Since then additional acquisitions have
enlarged the park to approximately 1,500 acres. An additional 87
acre parcel adjacent to El Toro Road just south of Cook's Corner,
known as the McFadden Ranch House, houses the park's office and
interpretive center. The house was built in 1915 by James McFadden
for two purposes. One to provide housing for the ranch foreman and
his family, and the other to utilize the ranch more fully for farming
and livestock pasture.
Location
& Hours
Whiting Ranch Wilderness
Park is located in South East Orange County within the foothills
of the Cleveland National Forest. The park lies West of Santiago
Canyon Road between Modjeska Canyon Road and Live Oak Road, and
is bordered by the communities of Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills.
- Directions...
To reach the park from Interstate 5, take the Lake Forest exit
and proceed to Portola Parkway (approximately 5 miles), turn left
on Portola Parkway, then continue 1/2 mile to Market, make a right.
Parking lot and entrance is to your immediate left. To reach the
Glenn Ranch Road entrance, turn right on Portola Parkway, left
on Glenn Ranch Road, left into parking lot.
- The park office and
Interpretive Center are located in the McFadden Ranch House adjacent
the Aliso Creek Bike Trail (old El Toro road), below the Portola
Hills community.
Open Daily: 7am to Sunset
Park is closed for 3 days after rain.
Please call for trail conditions.
Rules
and Regulations
- Consumption of Intoxicants
Prohibited.
- Park Only in Designated
Areas.
- All Fires are Prohibited.
(Fire Prevention)
- Smoking in Designated
Areas Only.
- Use of Motorized Vehicles
and Equipment on Trails Prohibited.
- Firearms, Weapons
and Fireworks are Prohibited.
- No Pets. (Horses
Exempt)
- Swimming or wading
in creek is prohibited.
- The Park Depends
on Visitors to protect all wildlife, vegetation, features, and
improvements.
MINORS SHOULD BE UNDER
DIRECT ADULT SUPERVISION AT ALL TIMES. Warning: You are entering
a wilderness area characterized by certain inherent dangers. These
dangers include mountain lions, rattlesnakes, poison oak and rugged
terrain. Mountain lions are unpredictable and dangerous. Minors
have been attacked without warning.
Contact
Whiting Ranch Wilderness
Park
P.O. Box 156
Trabuco Canyon CA 92678
(949) 589-4729
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