Tijeras Creek Trail - #TijerasCreekTrail

Socal - Orange County - Rancho Santa Margarita NickNames: #TijerasCreekTrail

Take El Toro Rd North. turn right on Santa MArgarita Parkway. To Antonio turn right. You can enter the trail from many different areas along Antonio Pkwy. I prefer to start the ride from behind Rancho Santa Margarita Highschool. There is also an inlet just south of Pavillions grocery store.

13 Review(s)Login

• Trail UpdateHelp...-The last time I went down this trail I was expecting the same old somewhat boring ride, but some riders took the time to build some jumps. I will be down there building on these jumps (and keeping them to the side so you don't hit them if you don't want to) and if you can help please do.
  hammertong a 25 year old Downhiller riding a Giant Faith from Disneyhell

  Posted:02/21/2008

• Trail UpdateYes There Is A Connection-kinda*-
  - once you end up at the street, which should be rancho viejo road[runs parallel to the freeway], most likely, you'll turn left[south] on to the street and you'll see a paved path that takes you underneath the street and freeway and onto another road which runs parallel to the freeway on the west side, which is camino capistrano. this is the unfortunate part: you'll have to cruise down the road about a couple miles and then turn right on your second opportunity over the train track x-ing. the creek trail should no more than 300 yards to the west of the train tracks. the paved creek trail will lead you down to the beach. have fun!
  EPICjurneez a 30 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a bighit/truth/cromostumpjumper from san juan cap

  Posted:12/22/2004

• Trail UpdateYes There Is A Connection-kinda*-
  - once you end up at the street, which should be rancho viejo road[runs parallel to the freeway], most likely, you'll turn left[south] on to the street and you'll see a paved path that takes you underneath the street and freeway and onto another road which runs parallel to the freeway on the west side, which is camino capistrano. this is the unfortunate part: you'll have to cruise down the road about a couple miles and then turn right on your second opportunity over the train track x-ing. the creek trail should no more than 300 yards to the west of the train tracks. the paved creek trail will lead you down to the beach. have fun!
  EPICjurneez a 30 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a bighit/truth/cromostumpjumper from san juan cap

  Posted:12/22/2004

• Trail UpdateYes There Is A Connection-kinda*-
  - once you end up at the street, which should be rancho viejo road[runs parallel to the freeway], most likely, you'll turn left[south] on to the street and you'll see a paved path that takes you underneath the street and freeway and onto another road which runs parallel to the freeway on the west side, which is camino capistrano. this is the unfortunate part: you'll have to cruise down the road about a couple miles and then turn right on your second opportunity over the train track x-ing. the creek trail should no more than 300 yards to the west of the train tracks. the paved creek trail will lead you down to the beach. have fun!
  EPICjurneez a 30 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a bighit/truth/cromostumpjumper from san juan cap

  Posted:12/22/2004

• Trail UpdateYes There Is A Connection-kinda*-
  - once you end up at the street, which should be rancho viejo road[runs parallel to the freeway], most likely, you'll turn left[south] on to the street and you'll see a paved path that takes you underneath the street and freeway and onto another road which runs parallel to the freeway on the west side, which is camino capistrano. this is the unfortunate part: you'll have to cruise down the road about a couple miles and then turn right on your second opportunity over the train track x-ing. the creek trail should no more than 300 yards to the west of the train tracks. the paved creek trail will lead you down to the beach. have fun!
  EPICjurneez a 30 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a bighit/truth/cromostumpjumper from san juan cap

  Posted:12/22/2004

• Trail UpdateYes There Is A Connection-kinda*-once you end up at the street, which should be rancho viejo road[runs parallel to the freeway], most likely, you'll turn left[south] on to the street and you'll see a paved path that takes you underneath the street and freeway and onto another road which runs parallel to the freeway on the west side, which is camino capistrano. this is the unfortunate part: you'll have to cruise down the road about a couple miles and then turn right on your second opportunity over the train track x-ing. the creek trail should no more than 300 yards to the west of the train tracks. the paved creek trail will lead you down to the beach. have fun!
  EPICjurneez a 30 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a bighit/truth/cromostumpjumper from san juan cap

  Posted:12/22/2004

• Trail UpdateYes There Is A Connection-kinda*-once you end up at the street, which should be rancho viejo road[runs parallel to the freeway], most likely, you'll turn left[south] on to the street and you'll see a paved path that takes you underneath the street and freeway and onto another road which runs parallel to the freeway on the west side, which is camino capistrano. this is the unfortunate part: you'll have to cruise down the road about a couple miles and then turn right on your second opportunity over the train track x-ing. the creek trail should no more than 300 yards to the west of the train tracks. the paved creek trail will lead you down to the beach. have fun!
  EPICjurneez a 30 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a bighit/truth/cromostumpjumper from san juan cap

  Posted:12/22/2004

• Trail UpdateI dont know how to connect but the trail follows the riverbed and does go into Doheny.

  Posted:06/30/2004

• Trail UpdateO'Neill / Ladera-Took the same trail alluded to one post below, but 3 years later. Same observations, except instead of housing tracts, we got houses everywhere (and still new housing tracts towards the south). Had to hike up most of the hills. Amusing to see picnic tables on the top of the ridges in the middle of nowhere. Took it to San Juan Cap, but couldn't find an outlet, everything deadends to street. Is there a connection to Doheny?
  Ride distance: Elevation change: lots
  Just beginning a 39 year old Weekend Warrior riding a zed k2 from Margarita

  Posted:06/30/2004

• Trail UpdateLion Sighting At O'neill-Went for a quick ride after work today and as I entered o'neill park from el camino montana, there was a sign posted stating unconfirmed lion sighting at the Orange Grove area on 6/11. Sighting reported by an equestrian. Was a little apprehensive about continuing on but decided to make it a really quick ride as I was by myself (plus it was around 6:30 PM already). Unlikely that the lion would still be around. Ride was pretty uneventful but my head was on a swivel.
  Ride rating: Novice
  a 42 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Ellsworth Truth from Rancho Santa Margarita

  Posted:06/18/2004

• Trail UpdateTijeras / O'Neill / Ladera......-Looking for someplace new to ride, I decided to try out the recently connected Tijeras / O'Neill / Ladera trail, that supposedly connects through San Juan Cap and goes all the way to Doheny. I made it about 1/2 way through the Sahara they call Ladera and turned around, for fear they would find my bleached bones out there when they complete the housing tracts. Nice idea to complete this "temporary" trail, but I can't see who could make it from one end to the other. No technical riding whatsoever (but brutal climbs, especially under the hot sun). Too long for hikers and horseback riders. Great ride if you want to ride in wide open spaces and bake, bake, bake. The good news is that they're opening a brew pub in Ladera Ranch.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Dirt Road=90% Truck Trail=10%
  Muddy a 39 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Specialized XC Stumpjumper from Trabuco Canyon

  Posted:06/28/2001

• Trail UpdateTijeras-Rode here yesterday for the first time, and got a good workout. I rode the lower trail based on the advice of the posting from 6-30-99. Probably a good choice as I am a beginner rider. The ride from RSM high school to Oso Pkwy. wasn't difficult as the whole way is double track and not at all technical. The two creek crossings are shallow and easily rideable and none of the uphill is difficult. More information on the upper trail wuld be appreciated if anyone has ridden it recently.
  Ride rating: Beginner
  Truck Trail=100%
  MCD a 29 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Trek from HB

  Posted:11/03/1999

• Trail UpdateThere is an upper and lower trail. For the beginner rider I reccomend the lower trail. Mainly fire roads, flat and hard packed, but a nice scenic ride for the MTB enthusiast. The trail was recently reopened in the winter after being closed for construction on the I241 toll road. The trail heads east bound all the way to Oso Pkwy. A few stream crossings and even a few singletracks if you look very hard! For the more energetic I would reccomend the upper trail. Not very technical. Big rolling hills. Couple of long swooping downhills that can hit in excess of 40mph if you're charging. Overall I like the trail because it's basically in my backyard.
  Singletrack=10% Dirt Road=90%
  David a 26 year old Weekend Warrior riding a GT LTS-1 from Ranchos Santa Margarita

  Posted:06/30/1999