Peters Canyon Wash Trail

The Peters Canyon Wash Trail is one segment of the Mountains to the Sea Trail - which runs 22 miles from Wier Canyon down to the Upper Newport Bay. It's a nice ride in its own right and even better when combined with the San Diego Creek Trail and the loop-back options.



Starting across the street from Bill Barber Park in Irvine, CA, it heads northeast along a landscaped concrete bikeway running along Harvard Ave. to the Incredible Edible Park (which is the trail head for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Trail).



From the park it jogs west along a drainage channel to join the Peters Canyon Wash. Now it follows the wash uphill on a blacktop bikeway with street undercrossings that take you down into the wash and back up again. The bikeway is landscaped and has extensive bollard lighting along the trail for night use.



There are two side trails - the Venta Spur Trail and, higher up, the Hicks Canyon Trail. Both can be made into return loops with a bit of bike lane riding. The trail ends at Portola Parkway. Take to the bike lanes to go further inland.

There are no organized trail heads for the Peters Canyon Wash Trail. The local parks serve that function...



Bill Barber Park at Barranca and Harvard. 4 Civic Center Plaza. GE: 33.688272° -117.822792°
Across the street from the lower trail end. Full service pit stop. Water, restrooms, picnic shelters, etc.



The Incredible Edible Park at Harvard and Deerfield. GE: 33.703427° -117.799953°
Parking and not much more.



Harvard Athletic Park at Harvard and Walnut . 14701 Harvard Ave. GE: 33.708849° -117.798766°
Full service pit stop adjacent to trail. Parking, water, restrooms, benches, etc.



Hick Canyon Community Park at Culver Dr. and Viewpark. 3864 Viewpark. GE: 33.724942° -117.770152° Full service pit stop. Parking, water, restrooms, picnic shelters, etc. It's 0.33 miles up the Hicks Canyon Trail from the PCWT.



There is on-grade access to the trail from almost every street that crosses the wash. Take a Google Earth fly-over and pick one that suits.




SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS



The trail features grade-separated under crossings. The under crossings descend into the Peters Canyon Wash and back up again at every street. The I-5 Freeway under crossing, in particular, is a very constricted channel. In the event of rain or runoff, the under crossings may be flooded out. If any crossing is flooded, it will probably be the I-5.



The signs warn you not to enter if flooded. Why prove them right? You can ascend to the street for a crossing where needed. The wash with flood water would be a sight to remember. Bring a camera. Proceed with care. Stay on shore.