James Dilley Preserve Barbara's Lake, 10/4/08 Warning:  Rattlesnakes are found in this area.  You are responsible for your own safety in the wilderness.  Know before you go, please read my Saftey page.

Orange County's only natural lakes are found here in the Laguna Greenbelt in James Dilley Preserve.  Barbara's Lake is the largest of the three Laguna Lakes and has water all year.  Several miles of trails around the lakes connect with Woods End and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park/Sycamore Canyon staging area & Nix Nature Center.    The pictures on this page were taken on 10/4/08 on a hike from Woods End to Barbara's Lake.  This route is about 4 or 5 miles to the lake and back.  The hike is much shorter, easy (and level) if you park in either the James Dilley parking lot off Laguna Canyon Road (just north of the 73) or park in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park/Nix Nature Center parking lot and take the trail/underpass beneath the road to the lake.  Parking is $3.00 (the machine accepts cards).  The TrailMaster has a very good writeup on the history of this area, a trail map and suggested hiking route which can be found at:  http://hike-oc.com/james_dilley_preserve.html.  A trail map of the entire Laguna area can be found at:  http://www.ocparks.com/uploadgraphics/laguna2008.pdf. Park hours and information:  http://www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/default.asp?Show=LocationHours

We hiked several trails to the the lake starting from Woods End Wilderness Preserve, to Ridge Top Fire Road, Edison Trail and Barbara's Nature Trail, pictures below.  Click any picture for a larger view.