Sunday was TRY A NEW TRAIL HIKE DAY....(self proclaimed.)SO we did! Morgan Trailhead is off the Ortega Hwy just beyond El Cariso campground coming up from San Juan Capistrano. You swing a right turn on South Main Divide Rd; paved road :) and drive 2.8 miles to the traihead, nicely posted, a few parking spots in shade. You need a Forest Service Adventure Pass to park.

What a wonderful trail we discovered......AL had decided to try and find this trail for a change of pace, from the listed trails of our Orange County Hiking guide book.

We arrived around 9am. No one else around. A fantastic view from on top of this hill. The trailhead was well maintained, map posted and a sign in sheet a few steps in.

The trail started out under a gorgeous canopy of scrub oaks and a creek running alonside. The single trail meandered through wide openings then narrowed alongside huge boulders. We were so excited by its surprise beauty and grand trees and wildflowers still in bloom. It was cool starting out but warmed up quite a bit as we headed out into the opening, up and over a few small hills, past more boulders, until the panorama opened up with more views into the Santa Ana Mtns. Our trail was 2.3 miles to a junction that continued on to a falls or looped over to another trail that would link up with Bear Trail back to the Candy Store, on the Ortega Hwy.

We turned back at the first junction as heat was pressing in and our food supply was light. We were passed by two horses and riders coming and going. Unfortunately the horses brought biting flies with them. I'd removed my outer layer too soon and left shoulders exposed as we were heading back. The flies just about had lunch on my right shoulder as I screamed and ran trying to fight them off with my hiking poles. Now that would have been a good photo! We were close to the truck so our hike back turned into a run back....I have three welts on my right shoulder. One fly actually bit through arm protectors and drew blood, the little bastard. Nevertheless, we will surely return.....when it's cooler and we are dressed to protect! Too bad the trail does not allow mtn bikes.....it was just perfect for riding...ohhhhhhh yeahhh.....We found that teddy bear laying in the middle of the trail. I couldn't resist posing it for a wild life picture!