Red Rock Canyon
This natural formation is a hidden gem, tucked away in a hidden corner of Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. You'll need to make a turn on a certain trail that will take you right to it. There are two access points to park and start your hike from, Portola Pkwy or Santiago Canyon Road which is the back way with less people. In this wilderness area, you may encounter all types of wildlife small and large, it is also a more common place to see mountain lions and if you do come across one, PLEASE DO NOT report the sighting the park officials, let it be and give it space.
Hiking Directions:
The trailhead
The trailhead begins in a small dedicated parking lot adjacent to the Ralphs shopping center at 26701 Portola Pkwy, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610. OC Parks charges a small fee to park there.
The hike
From this parking lot, take Borrego Trail for about 1.5 miles until you get to Red Rock Trail where you will see a picnic bench under a nice shade tree. Make a left onto Red Rock Trail, the trail will take you about a half mile and dead end into Red Rock Canyon, this trail gets more narrow and can sometimes be hard to follow but you will be following the creek bed up.
Red Rock Canyon
26701 Portola Pkwy
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610