5.5 Miles of Splendor
Oso Creek Trail is one of Mission Viejo’s recognized gems. With 5.5 miles of trails beside and around Oso Creek, the trail is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while exploring a dynamic local ecosystem.
The creek is part of the San Juan Creek watershed, which stretches from the Santa Ana Mountains to Doheny State Beach in Dana Point.
Once dry throughout most of the year, the creek now has a fairly constant flow of water due to human activities, including over-irrigation of our homes and residential car washing. As water travels through our streets toward the creek, it picks up pollutants from sources such as pet waste, fertilizer and pesticides.
Wildlife and Fossils Along the Creek
The flow of creek water is regulated by a water pump station just north of Oso Parkway. Currently, more than 70% of Mission Viejo’s city-owned landscaped areas are irrigated with reclaimed water managed by this station. During particularly heavy storms, the creek can become a dangerous torrent, posing a threat to those who get too close.
The riparian trail system surrounding the creek is frequented by more than humans and their pets. Mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, squirrels, rabbits and other animals regularly use the paths as well. The vegetation also attracts a wide variety of birds, including finches, sparrows, hummingbirds, great blue herons and great egrets.
The discovery of rare fossils during development of the trail system tells a tale of previous inhabitants. Baleen and toothed whales, long-snouted dolphins, primitive sea lions, sharks, rays and a variety of fish provide indisputable evidence that this entire area was once underwater as part of a vast sea.
Protecting the Ecosystem
While ruggedly beautiful, Oso Creek Trail is also fragile and demands our stewardship. Here’s what you can do to help preserve the Oso Creek ecosystem for generations to come:
• Pick up after pets.
• Don’t overwater your property. Excess water finds its way into Oso Creek. This includes water from hosing off driveways, patios and sidewalks.
• Place trash in tightly covered bins so that it doesn't wind up in the street.
• Dispose of household hazardous waste properly.
• Never blow or sweep debris into street gutters.
