Billy Goat Loop

The Billy Goat Loop travels through some up and down terrain in a lightly used corner of Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Hikers can use portions of the Whiting Spur Road and Mustard Road trails in order to complete the loop path. While only 1.7 miles in distance, the Billy Goat Loop runs up and down a cockscomb route of constant up and down climbing. The trail tends to be so steep that much of it is across wooden stairs carved into the arid hills.

The hike is good for a workout, anda few taller peaks offer vantage points of the hilly geography immediately around the trail. 

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park itself offers a large number of trails throughout the area and the Billy Goat Trail is only one of the northernmost of the paths.

While bicycles and horses are permitted in the park, the steep, stairway filled nature of this trail ensures that you won't encounter either along that portion of this route. The trail also passes the Four Corners intersection which has a bench and seasonal water supply.

Hikers should be aware that there is very little shade along most of this hike. Parking is permitted in the wide shoulder across Santiago Canyon Road from the trailhead, however this is a busy road at a blind curve, so hikers should be extremely cautious crossing here. There are no amenities at the trailhead.