Harding Truck Trail
(Access through Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary)
Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary
29322 Modjeska Canyon Road
Modjeska Canyon, CA 92676-9801
(714) 649-2760
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Difficulty: |
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Suited for: |
Advanced, Expert |
Directions: |
From Interstate 5, take the El Toro Road exit in Lake Forest. Head North/Northeast up El Toro Road towards the mountains. At Cook's Corner, take the left fork. Three miles past Cook's,, turn right on Modjeska Canyon Road. At the traffic island (about 1 mile), head down the left fork. Take the right fork (Modjeska Canyon) at the intersection with Harding. Continue to the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary Parking Lot (nearly two miles from turnoff on Santiago Canyon Road).
From California 91: Take the 241 South towards Irvine (Toll). Exit at Santiago Canyon Road. Turn left. Just over eight miles from the tollroad, turn left on Modjeska Canyon Road. At the traffic island (about 1 mile), head down the left fork. Take the right fork (Modjeska Canyon) at the intersection with Harding. Continue to the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary Parking Lot (nearly two miles from turnoff on Santiago Canyon Road). |
Parking: |
Parking lot at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary |
Facilities: |
A small natural history museum/interpretive center, two ponds, a bird observation porch and feeders, relaxing patio and picnic areas, a small amphitheater, a caretaker's house, hiking trails, a gift shop, restrooms and an ample visitor parking lot. |
Media: |
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Trail Details: |
Open: Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except major holidays. Closed on Mondays.
If miles and miles of near-relentless uphill running appeals to you, then this is your nirvana. This fire road of hard-packed dirt with occasional rock-strewn stretches begins at around 1,400 ft and can take you as high as 5,600 ft if you want to reach the top of Saddleback Mountain. Harding Truck Trail itself is about 9 miles long with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet (with only two short distances of downhill the entire way). The trail (in name only) terminates at what is known as Four Corners, which then lets you turn around and run 9 glorious miles downhill back to your car. If you continued on the 'Main Divide Road' trail from Four Corners, you can add another 3 miles to summit at Modjeska Peak and another 2.5 miles beyond that to reach Saddleback.
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