Quail Trail

If you like hiking, and actually spending time in nature, do not come here. This trail consists of nothing more than a dirt path connecting one housing development to another. The only view offered is of smoggy Irvine, there is no wildlife to be seen and after one short hill, there is very little challenge. I was very disappointed that this came up in a search for hiking trails.

«I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.» –Rosalia de Castro
I love Google Maps. I can stare at the Satellite View of a particular area I want to explore for hours. My go-​to hikes are usually Shady Canyon and Bommer Canyon. Looking at the map though, I noticed a small, obscure path veering to the left of the Quail Hill Community Park and decided to investigate! It seemed to veer southbound up the hill toward the Shady Canyon community, and eventually merges with the Laguna Canyon trail network.
This trail is not marked from an obvious place. You have to remain on the sidewalk as you trek up Shady Canyon, past the Quail Hill park on your left. Just past the southernmost parking lot, an unmarked gravel trail suddenly appears and meanders behind the homes. About a quarter mile down this road, the actual trail sign appears. From there, it is 2.65 miles of ass-​kicking terrain to the water tower. Aaaaaand, that’s another 2.65 on the way down.
My friends, this is where the trail starts to kick your boo-​tay. According to my hiking app, you first meet up with the Needle Grass Climb, a roughly 20% grade half-​mile uphill doozy. I will have buns of steel if I do this every day, I tell you! You’re not out of the woods yet, however. After a nice half mile break where it evens out and you get a birds-​eye view of some niiiiiiiiiice houses, you hit the quarter mile Momento Climb. This one isn’t as bad at an average of a 10% grade. In total, you’re looking at a 750 ft elevation change.
This trail ends at a private service Irvine Ranch Water District road. You’ve got two choices at this point. Head back down the trail the way you came, or skootch past the gate, run by the water tower, and end up on Luminous Rd. (a residential street) and shimmy your way back down. (Directions at the bottom of this review.)
Things I loved most about Quail Trail:
1. Its a great workout. Challenging climbs really make you feel the burn!
2. Excellent views of the city from up high.
3. Fun course! It winds around the hills between Quail Hill and Shady Canyon.
4. Gorgeous spot to take photos!
I am by no means condoning the use of the private access road, but if like me, you get caught on the trail way too late, and rapidly losing sunlight, its the best option to avoid getting hurt or being caught in a sketchy situation if you did not bring a flashlight. If this happens to you, here’s the 411: (From the water tower: right on Luminous, left on Momento, right on Pine Needles, left on Knollcrest, left on Perennial, left on Vermillion, right on Seasons, straight through to Quail Hill Community Park where you likely parked your car.) Thank God for GPS, Google Maps, and a cell phone with a large screen.