Juanita Cooke Greenbelt & Trail

Hiked here valentines 2016. Nice chill easy hike on a dirt path. Fair amount of bikers too but not too crowded today. Saw a horse and quite a few dogs! Not a lot of green but plenty of shad
I started from north end of trail at Laguna lake park. Trail ends at bastanchury and morelia, about halfway through because they’re doing construction. Dunno if the southern half of the trail is open or not. I’d love to come back and check out the rest of the trail sometime

I came here after a hot yoga practice at Purple Yoga down the road. It was only 8am on a Sunday and sunny. I drove to where the directions on here took me and parked on the street. There were no other cars. Everyone else it seems, parked at a lot at the bottom of the (slight) hill. Anyways, the directions dropped me off in the middle. I walked down, saw the end then walked the other way to the end where the trail closed. There was another trail off the Juanita Cooke Greenbelt and I can’t spell it… the Hischleter Trail. This trail was more covered by trees.
I enjoyed coming here for a nice flat walk. There were so many friendly people with their dogs, families, or on bikes. Make sure to be one of those nice people and say hi! It makes everyone’s day.

This is a nice, easy trail if you’re just looking to get some outdoor time or want to take the dog on a decent length of a walk. I loved that there was plenty of shade, so you’re not too exposed to the sun on a hot day. The trail is mostly flat with no inclines — so it’s suitable for any fitness level that wants to take it on. I saw a few strollers as well, so that should give you an idea of paths and footing.
There are different ways you can go each time so that you can mix things up a bit. Some parts are closed as they are working on it, but for the most part, it’s all pretty much accessible. I liked being able to walk through the houses and see all of the large backyards. Some are nicer than others and a few have a variety of farm animals just hanging out for you and the kids to gawk at.
Parking is a cinch and there are lots of ways to access this trail. You can either park at the Fullerton Courthouse and walk through to Juanita Cook or start at Hiltscher Park and make your way in as well. Either option is a good one.
If you’re looking for a free activity in Fullerton — I’d highly recommend this. I’ll be coming more often as it was a great way to not only exercise myself, but get the dog tired out as well!

WEST NILE VIRUS
Its a great trail (2.5 mile long), however Running into a sign that warrns about mosqitos that are positive for west nile virus gave me the heebeegeebeezs! I posted an image up of the sign photo #108 i think?
What i did like is that there is alot of bike paths that run alongside of the trails that dip up and down, other trails that intersect, and there there is alot of parking on the south end of the trail.
my rating would be 4 stars if the west nile virus wasnt an issue.
Fyi, its a very natural trail meaning no lighting, make sure to bring a flash light or something after sunset cause it get creepy dark add even creepier knowing there west nile ridden mosquitos flyn around.
Its a dirt trail, my husband was on foot and i was my hybrid bike which i would never take again, mountain bikes would be most appropriate since there are alot of sections were it gets rougher with rocks, ditches mud ect.

Easy, flat trail. Great for those who want to take their dogs on a stroll or their baby in a stroller. Plenty of shade throughout most of the trail, and path is wide enough for bikers, walkers, and joggers to share. There are homes nearby yet the trail is still quiet and gives you the feeling of being peacefully out in nature. I was out on the trail around 3pm to 5pm on a weekday and it was relatively busy with other walkers, joggers, and bikers, but everyone was courteous. Laguna Lake Park is a little gem on the way — a pretty pit-​stop to rest your feet! A lot of the path is dusty. I’ll be returning, as my dog seemed to really enjoy coming out here.

This is absolutely the best trail I’ve been on, probably because it’s been the only trail I’ve been on lol but I usually start at the Hiltscher Trail that runs into the Juanita Cooke Greenbelt Trail and I usually walk the Hiltscher Trail because the dirt is bulky and uneven then when I get to the Juanita Cooke Greenbelt Trail I usually run it and the dirt is more even and flat. Be careful because when it’s windy the dust goes everywhere. Bring sunglasses because the sun will peek. They do have water faucets just in case someone needs water. If you go north on the Juanita Cooke Greenbelt Trail you run into the Bud Trail and there’s a lake you can run around. There’s usually a lot of people so it’s safe to run alone or walk alone. There’s a few steep hills but anyone can walk through them. Be careful for the bikers! They ride super fast!

I was looking for a Trail I could take my dog & this was a great one, although a little boring for my preference. It was a simple easy trail, very flat surface which is great for a leisurely walk or jogging. I was mainly excited to see the «thankful» tree however we were unable to find it!

I really wanted to try this trail since I’ve been in Fullerton almost all my life! I saw the picture of the thankful tree and have been looking forward to seeing it for months. For everyone saying they can’t find it, it’s because it doesn’t exist anymore! My boyfriend and I searched everywhere and still couldn’t find it, when we finally got to it, it was bare. I wish they had maps or something. Oh well! We still had a nice walk on the trail.

I’ve been using this trail for over a year and loved every single visit. Much of the trail offers natural tree lined shades.
Today, I came here today right at the sunrise, 6 am, and throughout the 5+ mile walk, I’ll have to say I was in the shades minimally about 95% of the time. I’ve been here late morning hours, and the shades decreased to probably 70% of the walk.
I love coming here for the easiness of the walk. I can count on worthy exercise even on my tired days since the trail is mostly flat, so it doesn’t demand much. Friendly to cyclists, dogs, children, elderly, etc. Can extend the walks to 7+ miles, and it’s almost impossible to get lost in this wide trail.

This is a great trail to walk, run or bike! I’m usually walking it out with my bestie on what we call «Thinning Out Thursdays»! The trail is wide and gives plenty of room to pass other people along the way. The bike paths are off to the side so not to many bikers along the main path.
The trail links up with Hiltscher trail and Laguna Lake Park. It’s a nice trail with plants along the sides and every now you see some cute wildlife like squirrels, bunnies, and cool birds. The sun beams through so it’s good to apply sunblock.

It’s a nice place for a walk/​job. People are very friendly and trails are wide enough to pass people easily. There are a few trails that connect to one another which was confusing. I decided to go there exclusively because I wanted to see the lake which I never ended up finding. Overall it’s a nice clean trail with decent scenery.

This is in an urban city, so don’t expect to be in the middle of Yosemite; however, this is a nice trail for anyone that wants to walk, run, and/​or jog.
WARNING — don’t leave anything of value in your car. Cars get broken into. I had my window broken; it was at night under a bright light. I was not the only car broken into.

Loved seeing the cute horses. Enjoyed the long walk but we wouldn’t consider this much of a hike.

Nice place for a good jog. Because im more of a runner was hoping to have a good trail I could follow. First and only time here. Jogged a little over 3’miles. I loved seeing people around and specially bikers using the trails.

Love this trail. I can walk thru the hood and catch Hiltcher trail at Fern and cross over Euclid to grab Juanita Cooke. To get exercise in with the mutt, we usually go to the start behind the corthouse. And then off we go to Laguna Lake to watch the birds and fishermen before heading back home.
This makes for a nice long walk for us — 8 miles or more.
People are usually friendly but as with anything, there are those cranky pants out there. Sometimes bike riders will be cranky about you getting in the way but a. bikes yield to peds and b. if you don’t say something I likely don’t know you’re behind me. Riders used to be good about saying on your right or on your left but now not so much.
Pretty mellow during the week but it does get a lot of traffic on the weekend. Sometimes, mostly during the week, people walk with dogs off leash and then give me dirty looks and grab their dogs and hurriedly put a leash on them. Because you know, vicious dog breeds and all. My boy doesn’t even make eye contact with my cat he is that docile and non confrontational. But whatever, at least follow the leash law AND I pick up after him. Bad doggie mom!
There is a water fountain at a the crossroads of Hiltcher and Juanita Cooke. I don’t know if it is city funded or the folks who own the home nearby put it in… but it is nice to have a drink.
This is for sure a gem in Fullerton and has always been one of my favorite things about my favorite city. Check it out when you feel like taking a nice stroll.

This was a nice nature walk through different streets connected by a long rustic path. Everyone seemed very pleasant and toward the end there is a beautiful lake. Had a great hike with my dog. There are different paths for bikes and walking which makes it much more accommodating. Had no problem parking on one of the residential streets. Definitely would hike again on this trail.

On an off weekday (a rarity in my profession) I was able to venture out to the Fullerton area to take on a local hike — the Juanita Cooke Greenbelt Trail. Parking was a little difficult to find because you had to park in the residential area where a part of the trail does become a sidewalk for about a block or so. Here is my take on the trail.
It’s Dusty: Yeah, the trail kicks up quite a bit of dirt because the soil is loose everywhere around here. This trail gets a lot of traffic whether it be from feet, bikes, or the hooves or horses. It is not for the allergy sensitive and can be quite burdensome when trying to enjoy the scenery around you.
The Trail Ends in Downtown Fullerton: This could be a good thing or a bad thing. The downside is that it isn’t as isolated from the city as you’d think. There are plenty of residential homes within sight and you’ll be able to hear the sounds of cars rushing by as you hike. For those of you looking for a place that is away from people and the city, this isn’t exactly the ideal hike. You see civilization everywhere.
The good thing about it is that there are a lot of local bars around when you finish the hike. Need a beer? Walk off the trail to downtown Fullerton where you can grab a quick cold drink!
GeoCache: For those of you who are into the Geocache/​Scavenger Hunt/​GPS fad, there are several good Geocaches on this trail. One being an obscure one that was pretty fun to find and people think you’re absolutely insane. Don’t know what geocaching is? It’s a community game where people hide trinkets along trails or public areas and you try to find it using your phone. Fun stuff!
Thankful Tree: I couldn’t find the thankful tree and was pretty disappointed. Maybe I didn’t get to the right part of the trail?
Bottom Line: Maybe another time. I really want to find the Thankful Tree.

The Juanita Cooke Greenbelt Trail is a three mile trail in Fullerton that can be accessed through numerous entry points. For me I typically catch the trail off of Berkeley and Harbor near the Court House.
The trail itself is very mild and can be handled by pretty much anyone. The trail is wide and is mostly through dirt except for a small housing track that links the trail up with the second half. If you start at Berkeley and walk the length of the trail you will see several offshoots along the way. The first being the Hiltscher Park Trail (see my separate review) which is a short 1.7 mile trail as well as the turn off for Laguna Lake Park (also see separate review). The trail is perfect for walkers, joggers & bikers alike and is dog friendly as well.
I have heard numerous reports of snakes in the area but I have never encountered any in the 20+ times I have been here. Although the trail itself is surrounded by trees it does seem a bit too blah when compared to others and the surroundings can feel a bit depressing and serene at the same time. All in all this makes a perfect trail for anyone looking to kill a couple of hours without needed any real skill or incline in their climbing. I would consider it a beginning trail albeit a good one. I walked this trail so much at one point that I have taken a long break for now but ultimately I know I will be back again. Check it out and link this trail to Laguna Lake and/​or Hiltscher Trail for a true workout (about 7 – 8 miles).

I’ve been on a torrent of hiking trails lately. One of the best ways to get/​keep in shape without spending a fortune on gym memberships and equipment. However, this hiking trail was found completely on a whim as I was driving to visit a friend at St. Jude’s Hospital.
Parking: 5 stars
Driving down Bastanchury, I parked on the side street of Morelia Avenue. There is plenty of parking down on this street, and it is the perfect spot for parking for both sides of the trail, depending on which way you plan on going. Like a «Choose Your Own Adventure» book (did I just date myself?), this is the first page of your hiking experience.
Southbound: 3.5 stars
If you head down southbound, it will lead you towards the dirt path that looks like a mix between the scenic northwest and «The Bridges of Madison County». At this point and time, with the rains watering the path, lush emerald green springs from all sides. With plenty of tree coverage on both sides of the path, a peaceful afternoon is presented in all it’s splendor, especially around 4:30 PM, when the setting sun drips through each nook and crevice from the canopy above. Golden afternoons are absolutely mouth dropping and sunsets are meant «for a moment~ like this. Some people wait a lifetime. For a MOMENT~ like this.»
There is a branching path near the 0.75 mile mark. If you head straight, you’ll head all the way down to Harbor Blvd., where the Fullerton courthouse is located. However, if you turn to your right and down the hill, this path will lead you to a much longer path and through some amazing sites. You’ll pass through nice neighborhoods, stables, and sometimes, even horses grazing down this path. With ancient trees dipping down their branches and grass all over, this path is beautiful. It’s definitely a detour worth taking. And if you go all the way past the street cross and up the hills, you’ll go through some fancy, old school houses. If you’re a lover of house watching, this is the path to take.
Northbound: 5 stars
This path is a bit harder to find in the beginning. As you go north, you’ll go through a few blocks of neighborhood before you reach the dirt path. This path looks much more like the rustic dirt trails of the Temecula Wine Country. It’s as fancy as it sounds. If you were wearing flannel and cowboy boots, you’d fit perfectly. Just like the Southbound path, you will hit a split in the trails where you can either go up past the train tracks or down towards it.
The train track path is very fun, expanding through the backsides of neighborhoods and parks. If you’ve ever seen the movie «Stand By Me», you’ll feel like you’re walking down the train tracks of your childhood memories. All you need is a handkerchief, a stick, and a reason to be walking. I walked down the tracks all the way till it revealed itself to Imperial Highway in La Habra. Maybe you can go further.
If you go up the path past the train tracks, you’ll go through this really nice area filled with trees, dogs, and friendly people. This ultimately leads you to Laguna Lake, which isn’t very pretty. However, if you go around the left side of the lake and towards the path through the hills, you’ll start going through areas that look like The Shire from «Lord Of The Rings». It is amazing. Especially with the sun setting, it’s like California is kissing you on the cheek and reminding you why you should be proud to be a Californian.
Conclusion
This trail is ever changing and always new to me. Though at times it gets boring, there is so many different branches to explore and adventures to seek. For the runners out there, this hiking path is perfect as it indicates the miles ran, as well as the flat, soft ground beneath your feet. Whether you’re a beginner or an avid explorer, this hiking trail is a great visit.
LOOK AT MY PICTURES! THEY ARE A BEAUTY!

Sorry, people of Fullerton who love this trail.
I tried to love it too, then realized this trail is way too B-​O-​R-​I-​N-​G! The whole trail is flat for the most part, has limited views, and is just not interesting at all!
I started where most people do, at the north end of Laguna Lake where Bud Turner and Juanita Cooke Trails meet. The first time I tried this trail was at night and I ran into a super annoying group of bikers who each were shining super bright mounted LED flashlights and headlamps trying to blind me; talk about overdoing it! So I got to hike the side trails that go up and down as well as the main wide one and both were meh.
Another major annoying thing which abruptly ended my night hike here the first time was that the trail seemingly ended when it hit the intersection of Laguna Rd. and Morelia Ave. I thought it was the end of the trail and went home thinking what a sorry trail I just hiked on. After reading online about how you have to continue on Morelia until you see the trail resume on Bastanchury Rd., I was able to go farther the next time.
Since this is an out and back trail, if you parked in one spot you will have to walk back the same way you came. Unless you find a way to make a loop out of this, which is what I did. Don’t go all the way south to the end of the trail by Harbor Blvd., but go down Hiltscher Trail and go through Hiltscher Park until you hit Euclid St. where you make your way north to get on the Bud Turner Trail. A bit of warning, as Bud Turner Trail is pretty much a dirt sidewalk along Euclid, close to fast moving cars. There is a sign that actually says that trail is closed, but people seem to ignore it. Once you safely make it to Laguna Rd., you can enter the Laguna Lake Park and make your way back to where you began.
Juanita Cooke Trail on it’s own is a very underwhelming trail. It’s good for just leisurely walks I guess, but there isn’t much of a view and is an out and back trail (which I try my best to avoid at all costs). If you’re a resident of this area or nearby in Fullerton, sure try it out but don’t go out of your way to check out this trail.