This easy hike to Barbara's Lake, one of Orange County's only naturally occurring lakes, is well worth a go. While close to suburbia, the lake lies within the James Dilley Greenbelt Preserve, an island of natural beauty where the land looks as it did hundreds of years ago. This guide will show you a pleasant loop that takes you to the lake, up a small climb, and then back along a ridge offering expansive views. You can also hike to Barbara's Lake and turn around for a shorter experience.
In this Guide:
Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions to Barbara's Lake
The parking lot is for the Dilley Greenbelt, part of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.There's a medium-sized parking lot here.You can pay for parking at the kiosk with a credit card.
This hike is best done in the winter and spring when the landscape is green. In the summer and fall it can get dry and brown.
Gear For the Hike
This is a very easy hike and you can do it in fitness or even casual clothing. It is exposed and can get hot in the warmer months. Bring 1L of water and some sun protection.
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The route follows a clockwise loop to the lake, and then up a small climb, and then back on the Mariposa Trail along the ridge.
Hike Brief
Who is Barbara? This is Barbara, or more specifically, Barbara Stuart Rabinowitsh. Barbara was a classically trained ballet dancer for the New York City Ballet who once performed at Radio City Music Hall. Later in life, she settled in Laguna Beach and became a force, along with James Dilley, to protect the wilderness around Laguna Beach, called the Greenbelt. When she passed, she left $500,000 to preserve that wilderness. The lake (formerly "Lake #3") was named after her. You can read more about this conservation effort in my "Best of Laguna Coast Wilderness" hike guide.
There are three lakes here, collectively called the Laguna Lakes. They are the only naturally occurring lakes in Orange County and are fed by groundwater. The lakes are only 5 feet deep but are still an essential area for migrating birds. Barbara's Lake is usually the only lake that holds water year-round and occasionally goes dry when there is extreme drought.
When the Laguna Greenbelt first purchased the lakes, they were in a sad state and relatively unknown. Cattle from Irvine Ranch had trampled the banks by using them as a watering hole. The storm-water drainage from a nearby development spilled into Barbara's Lake, filling it with soap, fertilizer, and pesticides. It's only through the work of the local conservation groups that these lakes have become healthy again.
Why is the other lake called "Bubble Lake?" In 1970 a drive-through animal park called "Lion Country Safari" opened by where the Los Olivios apartments are today. In 1978, a hippo named Bubbles escaped, making its way first to Lake #1 and then settling in the lake now known as "Bubbles Lake." It became a media circus, and Bubbles even made it onto the Tonight Show. After 19 days, Bubbles was shot with a tranquilizer dart and then died. After her death, it was discovered that Bubbles was pregnant and looking for a safe place to give birth. Here's Bubbles feeding on the banks of the lake.
The trailhead is at the end of the parking lot.Occasionally you'll see volunteers here at the start of the hike.Once past the volunteer shelter, look for a quick left onto the Lake Trail.The sign will confirm that you are on the Lake Trail.And now start hiking up the flat and pleasant Lake Trail.Keep straight at the junction with the Mariposa Trail. If you do the loop, we'll be coming back on that trail.Keep straight on the main trail.Now you have about 0.6 miles of gentle walking through the scenic landscape.When you get to the junction with the Gravel Trail, go straight through.And then Barbara's Lake will be on your left.Keep going straight for some open viewpoints of the lake.There's also a nice fan palm across the lake, which is native to Southern California.
If you want to do the shorter out-and-back hike, just turn around here. Otherwise continue straight.
At the end of the lake the trail turns right and starts to climb.Keep going up along the power lines.Go straight when you see reach the intersecting utility road.To your right are great views of Orange County's high point, Santiago Peak.At the top, you'll follow the ridge away from the power lines and back into the more natural area of the park.To your right are spectacular views into Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. If you want to explore more, try my hike that covers the area you see here.At the junction, make the left.And then a quick right.Hike up the trail to the top of the Jack J. Rimel Reservoir.From the top of the reservoir you get nice views of Barbara's Lake.There are nice views from the top of the reservoir. The trail continues to the right.Start the Mariposa Trail, which we'll be taking back to the start.The views from the Mariposa Trail are incredible.When you get to the junction with the Sunflower Trail, stay left on the Mariposa Trail.And soon you'll start descending and see the parking area in the distance.At the end of the Mariposa Trail, rejoin the Lake Trail for a second and you're back at the start!
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Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).