Photos by Ron Chilcote
With the reopening of the Emerald Canyon Trail in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park this month, we figured readers might enjoy a glimpse into what some consider the jewel of the coastal canyons.
Emerald Canyon Trail begins at the top of Bommer Ridge, a less than hour’s hike from Laguna Canyon Road.
This canyon drops into oak and sycamore groves and has a creek running through it during the rainy season and a large waterfall below.
From Emerald Canyon, the Old Emerald trail leads to Bommer Ridge and Boat Canyon.
![Oak in Emerald Canyon](https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC_5303-4-600x463.jpg)
![Oak in Emerald Canyon](https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC_5271-3-398x600.jpg)
![Emerald Canyon oaks](https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC_5262-2-600x398.jpg)
![Emerald Canyon and Old Emerald Trail](https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC_5239-1-398x600.jpg)