Hiking Review: Laguna Canyon Willow Staging Area Part II: Lizard Trail

Photo showing the beauty of Lizard Trail. Large, hollowed out, orangish boulders and rocks covered in dispersed moss. Dirt trail covered in dried leaves and surrounded by green ferns, trees, and smaller boulders.

Once I completed Laurel Canyon Trail, I explored Upper Laurel and Serrano trails very briefly. Then returned to Laurel Spur to Lizard Trail. Laurel Canyon Trail was my favorite until I experienced Lizard Trail.

I recommend heading directly from Laurel Canyon to Laurel Spur to Lizard trail, for a more direct route to complete the loop. From Laurel Canyon Trail to complete Lizard Trail directly, total time will be about one hour.

Lizard Trail

Lizard Trail just sounded like it was more fun, and it is named that for a reason! Narrow, winding curves, surrounded by ferns, boulders, rocks, flat, steep, shade, and sun. Lots of surprising, beautiful variety in this typically dull Laguna Canyon (comparably).

Photo: Signpost showing trail split for Lizard Trail and Laurel Spur.

Lizard Trail is so cool, I took a lot of video walking through the different areas. It’s also what motivated me keep going to complete the loop.

Rounding a curve at one point, I came across this large, orangish rock — a stunning, pleasant surprise on this shaded, secluded trail.