Randall Myers

Saturday hike in Laguna. Parked up on Alta Laguna Pkwy by Alta Laguna Park. Entered the trail system by the park near Top of the world. Hiked down to Mathis Canyon Trail to the Junction where Car Wreck Trail Starts at the Top. Hiked down Car Wreck Trail to the end where it intersects back with Mathis Canyon at the Bottom. Turned right and stayed on Mathis Canyon to Woods Canyon Trail made a right turn on woods canyon trail to dripping cave trail. Took dripping cave trail to dripping cave. Dripping cave trail is an in and out only trail right now as the shortcut trail from dripping cave to Mathis canyon is closed. Went back out of dripping cave the way I came in. Made a Left back on to woods canyon. Made a Left at Mathis canyon. Then the long incline ascent up Mathis all the way back up to Top of the world. Both Car Wreck and Mathis have a degree of difficulty. Car Wreck more than Mathis. I believe this is about a 9 mile hike.

I would not recommend this particular route in either direction for beginners or novices. This is no Sunday stroll in the park. Some elements are a nice stroll, but getting to and from them are a work-out for sure, and only for the sure footed hiker. Beginners or people who aren’t used to climbing or descending steep rocky terrain or walking steep grades may struggle on this route.

*Tip: Go down Car Wreck and up Mathis instead of down Mathis and up Car Wreck if you’re not ready for a steep rocky climb up. The climb up Car Wreck is much more difficult than the climb up Mathis. If you want to up the degree of difficulty and work out harder, take these instructions and reverse them.