Silverado Canyon

I’ll just say this: It’s a wonderful place to live.

A a kid in Hgh school (mid seventies)we would hike here endlesly. Just this weekend I was there with my 12 year old son and his dog. It is still just as magical only less traveled. There are some excelent little day hikes as well as a walk along the creek. Each time I return to the trail head at the big oak tree it seems it is almost impossible to find. I don’t believe anyone even knows the trail is there.
During the winter and spring there are some nice little waterfalls and along the main creek the forestry service would dam the creek making some great little swimming ponds (clothing optional).

This little canyon was a short 20 minute drive from Irvine and was a favorite little hiking spot for me and a couple friends during highschool. It had a little creek and a path alongside it… nothing special other than that it was close and it was a bit of a weird little hide out. Beer cans were under bushes, little caves had evidence of poorly made fires and possibly recent sleeping inhabitants, and once I think a car was broken into in the parking lot while we were hiking. One of my favorite memories here was inviting Leanne out for the first time under the premise of searching for newts (even though I knew there were no newts) and which we called Enises without explanation. I have no idea why she agreed to come out with us under such sketchy circumstances, but she did, and not only that but while walking down the creek she somehow slipped on a rock and kicked me in the head. Silverado!

Unfortunately, last I heard it was being developed with houses. Poor Enises and bums and highschool hippies who want to hide out in the hills and drink beer!