Scenic Billy Goat Hike

Degree of Difficulty: More Difficult

Total Distance: 6 ¼ miles

Trailhead: Portola Parking lot, west end

Trailhead Facilities: $3 Parking, Water, Bathrooms, Retail Shops

Trails: Borrego, Mustard, Red Rock Canyon , Bill Goat, and Whiting Spur Road

Trail Type: Loop

This hike starts at the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park entrance on Portola Parkway at Market in Foothill Ranch. Enter the Borrego Canyon Trail at the west end of the parking lot. The Borrego Trail is very popular with both hikers and mountain bikers. The trail meanders through Borrego Canyon with many small stream crossing and shade provided by the oak and sycamore trees. On both sides of the canyon for a short distance, the homes of Foothill ranch can be seen on the ridges. The trail gradually climbs from approximately 822 feet to 1046 feet after a total distance of 1.5 miles and ends at the intersection with Mustard Road.

Turn Right or East on Mustard Road, which is a wide fire access road. Proceed past the first trail intersection, which is Cattle Pond Loop. Shortly after you pass some picnic tables, you will come to a second trail on your left which is the beginning of Red Rock Canyon Trail. The total distance up Mustard Road is about 700 feet.

Red Rock Canyon Trail is restricted to hikers only and is very scenic. It becomes narrower as you hike further into the canyon. After about 300 feet you will see the start of Billy Goat Trail on your right. Proceed past that and stay on Red Rock Canyon Trail as it follows in and out of a small creek bed. Remember to stay on the trail as this is a very environmentally fragile area. Do not go further than the “Trail End” sign. This is a perfect place to photograph one of the most beautiful geographic spots in the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and Orange County . The total distance of Red Rock Canyon Trail is 0.55 miles one-way.

After retracing your steps from the trail end of Red Rock you will again come across the start of Billy Goat Trail on your left near the beginning of Red Rock Trail. Billy Goat Trail is another trail that is reserved for hikers only and is a very steep and narrow trail with many switchbacks and little shade. As you hike Billy Goat, there are many photo opportunities with views of Mustard Road and in the canyons below. Billy Goat Trail is also a great trail for wildflowers in the springtime and early summer. This trail is a distance of 0.9 miles with an elevation gain of 474 feet.

The trail ends as it intersects with Whiting Spur Road, which is a fire road coming from Santiago Canyon Road. Turn right for a short 700 foot hike to Four Corners . At Four Corners there is awater fountain, an emergency Call Box, and an informational kiosk with a bench. This is a good place to sit and talk with other trail users. The elevation at Four Corners is 1445 feet.

After a rest, proceed west or down Mustard Road from Four Corners for the descent back to Borrego Canyon Trail. This is a fire road with some shade from large oak trees along the trail. You will pass the trail head for Red Rock Canyon Trail, the picnic benches, and the Cattle Pond Loop all on your right. About 300 feet past Cattle Pond Loop you will return to the turn off on your left for the Borrego Canyon Trail. The total distance on Mustard from Four Corners to the intersection with Borrego Canyon Trail is 0.80 miles.

Proceed from here back up Borrego Canyon Trail and back to the parking lot.