Hiking the Morgan Trail takes you on a serene journey through the rugged San Mateo Canyon Wilderness, off the beaten path and away from the hustle and bustle of other nearby and popular trails. You'll hike through the chaparral with high peaks of the Santa Anas flanking you until you reach scenic and shaded Morrell Canyon, full of willows, sycamore, and oaks. And at the end of the Morgan Trail, you'll be treated to epic views of Lake Elsinore and the high peaks of Southern California.
In this Guide:
Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Morgan Trail
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.
Hiking the Morgan Trail takes you on a serene journey through the rugged San Mateo Canyon Wilderness, off the beaten path and away from the hustle and bustle of other nearby and popular trails. You'll hike through the chaparral with high peaks of the Santa Anas flanking you until you reach scenic and shaded Morrell Canyon, full of willows, sycamore, and oaks. And at the end of the Morgan Trail, you'll be treated to epic views of Lake Elsinore and the high peaks of Southern California.
Where is the Morgan Trail?
The Morgan Trail is point-to-point, with the official parking area on the east side of the trail. However, I prefer starting the hike from the western end, which is at the big parking lot by the Ortega Oaks Candy Store on SR-74. With this routing, you do most climbing on the outward leg, get to see Morrell Canyon and the view at the end, and then have a (generally) downhill hike back to the start. Hiking the Morgan Trail in the other direction is a bit anticlimactic.
The parking lot is huge and shared by hikers hitting Sitton Peak, Chiquito Falls, the San Juan Loop, and other hikes.There's a bathroom at the far end of the parking lot.
This is a fee area, get a National Parks pass or Adventure Pass to park here.
Don't start the hike at the trailhead in the parking lot.Instead (carefully) cross SR-74 and make the right down the other side of the street.
If you want sandwiches, drinks, or snacks, the Ortega Oaks Candy Store, right across the street, is a good bet.
Gear For the Hike
This is a backcountry hike, so I recommend proper hiking gear. It can get very hot here in the warmer months, and much of the trail is exposed. I generally bring 2-3L of water depending on the temperature.
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This profile makes the (one-way) hike look much tougher than it is. The climb is very subtle with several short steeper uphill sections. Overall the trail feels like a gently rolling profile.
3D Map
From the parking area we wind around to the east, hitting Morrell Canyon and the viewpoints of Lake Elsinore at the end.
After crossing the road, look for the ramp heading up to the trailhead.We're starting the hike on the Bear Canyon Trail, make the left onto the start of the trail.You'll pass an interpretive display.And then you'll see the trail board.Shortly after that is the trail register.Sign in and continue the hike.The trail climbs, and if you've done the Sitton Peak hike, this is the same trail you start on for that.At about 0.75 miles in you'll enter the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.Enjoy the shaded sections.And at about a mile, you'll come to the intersection where the Morgan Trail starts. Make the left onto the Morgan Trail. And yup, that's an orb.Here's the trail marker at that intersection.Right away you start hiking through the oaks and climbing gently.As you emerge from the trees and gain a little altitude, off to your left you have nice views of Los Pinos Peak (left) and Horsethief Peak (right).Go straight through the Tenaja Truck Trail.The corridor along the truck trail is outside the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness, and you'll see a sign letting you know that you've reentered after you cross.You'll go through a little meadow, an extension of the (private) Round Potrero area (round paddock) off to the right.Then pass over the dirt driveway to continue on the trail.Now you have a mellow rolling hike through the chaparral. Stay left at this split.Off to the right you'll see San Mateo Peak.Go straight at the trail marker.And then shortly after that you'll have a big junction with the Tenaja Falls Trail. Go straight through here.Here's a sign for the Tenaja Falls Trail. You can also hike to these spectacular falls from farther south.On the right you'll see one of the welded metal post style trail markers. It can be confusing since the arrow points backwards, but keep going straight.The scenery around you becomes dramatic, with huge smooth boulders and views of Los Pinos and Trabuco Peak off to the left.And soon you'll notice that the chapparal gives way to larger trees, which is your entry to Morrell Canyon.You'll cross over the stream bed (almost always dry).And then continue on the northwest side of the canyon.Most of Morrell Canyon is shaded, peaceful, and isolated from the outside world.After a nice stretch through the shade, you'll leave the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.And the canyon flattens out, with the trees more dispersed.You'll pass the trail register for those starting on this end of the trail.And right after that is a split, hike to the left. There's a spring, Lion Spring, a few minutes down on the right, but I've never seen it flowing.And after a little climb you'll reach the other end of the Morgan Trail.There's a trail board.And an official parking area sign.Cross the street for a nice view down into the city of Lake Elsinore.And for a view of the lake, do the short stretch up the trail to the right.And you'll get nice views of the lake itself. From here, just turn around and return the way you came!
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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!).