Another Aliso Woods question

[Rascal]

So after reading some of the RR's for the CC and VQ, I've become newly motivated to get off my butt and start doing some decent mileage AND venture out to some new locations. I'm a lazy creature of habit.

To help in overall mileage, I've been riding from home in Irvine down the 133 and warming up in NIX via the little up and over trail off to the left as you enter the main road.

From that trail I continue down to the trailhead just past the El Toro/133 junction. I head up in here and ride some of the trails in Crystal Cove.

I'd like to be able to ride into into Aliso Woods but am only aware of the Stair Steps trail that connects to the 133.

After riding Bommer Ridge in CC (or is it LCWP?)I was surprised to see just how many trails (albeit illegal) drop down from West Ridge in Aliso to the 133.

So now after reading the Aliso RMP and looking at Google maps, it looks like there may be another trail that drops down from TOW to the 133. There seem to be at least 2, maybe 3 in total. I'm guessing one of these is Telonics, and from what I understand, one of the other two may be legal?

Obviously I'd like to stick to the legal trails and I have read that Stair Steps isn't a fun trail to push the bike up so I'm looking for alternatives. Anyone know the deal with these trails from TOW?

Oh, and does anyone know if the trails on the south side of the 133, across from NIX are open to bikes?

Thanks...

[CalEpic]

Stair Steps and Canyon Acres (fire road) are the legal routes up to Aliso. Pick your poison, they both require some effort. Canyon Acres is more rideable but longer. The trails across from Nix (Dilley Nature Preserve) are hiking only.

[ericfoltz]

I go up Stairsteps all the time. It's really not all that bad.

I do this or something similar on a regular basis.

http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=13302

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Stair Steps and Canyon Acres (fire road) are the legal routes up to Aliso. Pick your poison, they both require some effort. Canyon Acres is more rideable but longer. The trails across from Nix (Dilley Nature Preserve) are hiking only.

Is the Canyon Acres trail the one next to Cholla? I'm not familiar with it.

[CalEpic]

Canyon Acres tops out near Top of the World. To access from the bottom go up Canyon Acres street (head towards downtown Laguna on Laguna Canyon).

C

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by ericfoltz

I go up Stairsteps all the time. It's really not all that bad.

I do this or something similar on a regular basis.

http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=13302

Hey thanks for the info. That route is pretty much exactly what I'm trying to do, just ride from home and access both trails from the 133.

I've never gone up or down Stairsteps but from reading the RMP and various comments on boards, it sounds as though some parts aren't really rideable up - I'm not that strong.

Sounds like a winner to me though.

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Canyon Acres tops out near Top of the World. To access from the bottom go up Canyon Acres street (head towards downtown Laguna on Laguna Canyon).

C

Ahh, that looks perfect. I was hoping to drop down from CC onto PCH, ride up to TOW, down Mathis, up Meadows then play in the park and finally ride out Stairsteps then back home.

Canyon Acres it is. Perfect.

Thanks again guys!

[spicolli1976]

Stair Step is one of my favorite trails. Its not that bad. I took a buddy of mine on it and it was a bit too tech for him, but he walked down parts he wasn't comfortable riding. Every time you ride it you will try a bit more. Soon enough you will clear the whole trail!!!