Temple Hill (1036 feet), also known as Top of the World, is the high point of the coastal hills surrounding Laguna Beach, California. Trending away from the summit in a north-north easterly direction is West Ridge, home of the popular West Ridge Trail, which is famous for its stunning canyon and mountain vistas. When combined with an ascent from Laguna Canyon via the Canyon Acres Trailhead and a descent down the legendary Stair Steps Trail, West Ridge makes an excellent loop of about five and one-half miles including about 800 feet of elevation gain and loss.
Climbing to Top of the World
Beginning at the Canyon Acres Trailhead, the hiker gains Temple Hill by way of a dirt fire road — steep at times — which climbs above Big Bend and enters the Wilderness Park about 300 feet beneath the summit of Temple Hill. Inland views looking up Laguna Canyon toward the distant mountains (often snowcapped in winter), as well as those looking back down and out toward the Pacific, make this climb enjoyable and rewarding.
After a visit to Temple Hill’s summit proper, where the hiker will find the Carolyn Wood Knoll (formerly Laguna Canyon View Knoll), as well as a parking area, rest rooms and potable water, the hike continues north (away from the ocean) along the ridge that separates Laguna Canyon on the west (left) from Wood Canyon on the east (right). This ridge is known as West Ridge, and the West Ridge Trail runs the length of it almost all the way to the 73 Toll Road. The trail is a dirt road that is commonly used for hiking, running and mountain biking. Numerous trails descend from West Ridge on both sides of the trail, although the majority of trails descending to the west are in fact closed to the public.
Trails Descending into Wood Canyon
At a little beyond one-half mile down West Ridge Trail from the summit, the hiker passes the turn-off for Mathis Canyon Trail (on the right), which descends down into Wood Canyon. Continuing along West Ridge, the next major trail junction is for the Rock-It Trail, which is also on the right about a mile after Mathis Canyon Trail near the obvious water tank. Both Mathis Canyon Trail and Rock-It Trail are well sign-posted and will take the hiker down into Wood Canyon.
Stair Steps Trail’s Steep Descent Back to Laguna Canyon
Beyond Rock-It Trail and the water tank, West Ridge Trail continues for another quarter of a mile until the junction with Stair Steps Trail (on the left) is reached. While the hiker can continue along West Ridge toward Lynx and Cholla Trails and the fire road near Canyon View Park (off Canyon Vista Road), for this hike, descend Stair Steps Trail back down into Laguna Canyon. Stair Steps Trail is quite steep at times as it drops over a series of rock ledges and outcrops that may be challenging for some hikers (see pictures).
Stagecoach Springs South Trail and Laguna Canyon Road
Stair Steps Trail runs into Phillips Road and, after descending through a small neighborhood, reaches Laguna Canyon Road near the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park staging area for Willow Canyon adjacent to where Laguna Canyon Road and El Toro Road meet. Carefully cross Laguna Canyon Road and then turn back down the Canyon on Stagecoach Springs South Trail. This trail parallels Laguna Canyon Road for three-quarters of a mile before reaching the Big Bend Trail Staging Area at Big Bend. The hike continues on the shoulder of Laguna Canyon Road for about one and one-quarter miles to Canyon Acres Drive and the trailhead.
Ret Talbot - Ret Talbot joined Suite 101 in December 2007, and he is now the feature writer for saltwater fish—a topic in which he is both ...
