TRAVELER
Caspers Wilderness Park, A Prideful Natural Treasure
by Bill Thomas G
rand Canyon, Yosemite, John Muir’s Trail, Brice Canyon, Arches, Yellow- stone, Zion, and Shenandoah – all
great parks, but Caspers is just around the cor- ner. And for local campers, hikers, horse own- ers, trail blazers, nature lovers, photographers, RVers, and picnickers, this is the place According to an Orange County Parks
brochure introducing the county’ s nine camp- ing, riding and hiking parks , ”Caspers Wilder- ness Park is an 8,000-acre protected preserve nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains. The largest park in the OC parks system; its many fertile valleys are comple- mented by groves of native Coastal Live Oak and magnificent stands of California Sycamore. Seasonal wildflower displays and running streams add to this wilderness park’s rich beauty, and abundant wildlife can be seen from the park’s numerous trails.” What’s available at the Park? You name it!
Only ten minutes from San Juan Capistrano, this park has tenting sites for large groups and camping parties up to eight; fire pits; barbe- ques; horse corrals; picnic areas; hiking, moun-
tain bike and equestrian trails; RV camping; a historic windmill; an amphitheatre; a nature center; bird watching, a children’s playground; sanitary station; abundant wildlife; clean rest- rooms; and scenic overviews; fabulous sunrise and sunset views. You can also skateboard, or ride scooters. Boy and Girl Scout troops, In- dian Guides and Maidens, and sports organi- zations are frequent users of the group camping areas.
What about the hiking trails? They vary in
length and elevations, so check with the rangers and obtain a map. There are special trails for horses. Popular hiking paths include the San Juan Creek Trail along Ortega Highway, the Juaneno Trail, East Flats, Bell Canyon Trail, Oak Trail, Pinhead Peak, Oso Trail, Cold Springs Trail, and West Ridge. What’s not available? With the current
drought, temporarily, there’s no water for showers. Dogs, wood gathering, firearms, and alcohol are not allowed. What can I do with my horse? You can
spoil it and ride it. The equestrian facilities in- clude corrals, riding trails and outdoor camp sites. Please bring your own hay.
Don’t trust just anyone with your vehicles
Sergio at Advanced Auto Services and his team have over 65 years of experience in repairing, maintaining and upgrading all vehicle makes and models.
We will service your foreign, domestic, and exotic vehicles with the highest standard of business and moral ethics.
Our goal is to make you a customer and friend for life. All automotive services are offered at Advanced Auto including: a simple oil change, new tires, complex diagnostics, new engines, and stylish upgrades.
“I can and will handle all your automotive needs with the respect you deserve. Be prepared for an automotive experience that you will love”
- Sergio
Caspers Wilderness Park is only 10 minutes from San Juan Capistrano. What about nature? Nature can come to
you or you can go to it. Besides the impressive nature center with its forest muraled walls, movie and meeting room, and outdoor am- phitheatre, it has stuffed animals and bird pic- tures throughout creating a menagerie of forest life. Outside you can pleasure in the same wilderness once populated by the Juanenos, a hunting and gathering tribe of Native Ameri- can Indians who dwelled in the area before the arrival of the first local explorers from Spain. Additionally, there are ranger-guided walks de- signed to see what you’re missing. Eight o’clock Saturday night campfires include nature talks, astronomy programs, and celebrations at the cozy amphitheatre with its great view of the en- tire valley. Why the park is named Caspers? In the
x
1970s the region was part of the Starr Viejo Re- gional Park. In 1974, Ronald W. Caspers, a popular member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, along with members of his fam- ily, was lost at sea off the coast of Baja, Califor- nia. This particular park was named in his honor. When can I come and how much do I pay?
Camping is year-‘round. Entry hours are from 7 am to 10 pm. Check-in time is 2 pm; check- out is 12 pm. Day users are welcome from 7 am to sunset, with vehicle fees at $3 Monday through Friday, and weekend fees at $5. What about the campsites? For outdoor
campers, besides the day-use areas, there are four campgrounds: Ortega Flats, with 13 RV sites and close to sometimes noisy Ortega Highway; Owl/Quall Group Campground; and for tents and campers, Live Oak Camp- ground; while horse lovers use the Star Mesa Equestrian Campground. What are the fees? They vary. Its $20 a day,
Please Call us at 949.369.1407 or Stop By! 60
512 S. El Camino Real • San Clemente, CA 92672 SANCLEMENTEJOURNAL
one vehicle, $5 for one additional; $15 per site for seniors and the disabled; $26 per day at Or- tega Flats with electrical hookups; and $21 per site for seniors and disabled folks. For day users, during the week its $3 per vehicle and week- ends, the price rises to $5 per vehicle. There are also annual and disabled parking passes avail- able. Horse entries are only $5 per stallion. For
group camping reservations and fees and to an- swer other questions, contact the park office. (949) 923-2210
(866) OCPARKS Who’s on the park staff? The professionals
include 17 alternating rangers and 20 volun- teers who represent the Casper’s Park Founda- tion. The park supervisor is the knowledgeable and congenial Ellen Loftin who provided this writer with an insider’s special tour and is an example of why so many users mention the helpful park attendants. • What are favorable experiences people have had at Caspers? According to a re- view of the park’s website, there are many…
• “Absolutely stunning! I love how places like this still exist. It’s a quiet and remote place to go camping with the family. I myself have not hiked nor camped here but I love hiking and the outdoors. You can imagine how badly I wanted to hike these trails when I visited but have not had the chance. I visited here with my fi- ancé for our engagement photos. We drove here from the San Fernando Valley for about three hours just to check out this place, and I fell in love. Our pictures came out amazing, and I can’t wait to go back soon to finally hike.”
• “The kids and I really, REALLY, needed to get some fresh air, so I decided to check the place out, WHY have I not come before? We had a great day explor- ing a few trails and also the playground and nature center. The weather was per- fect and the wind whistling through the leaves sounded so blissful. This was to- tally the escape we needed. We walked the nature trail and part of Bell Canyon. Both were really nice. I will definitely be back!”
• “Restrooms are very clean and well equipped, flush toilets and electrical power.”
• “All the campsites have shade from the trees.”
• “The rangers at Caspers are helpful & pleasant. If you are a hiker, this is the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76