What we’re about
Welcome! (Require: a personal photo and introduce yourself to the group)
***By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings***
- Click RATING TABLE to learn more about difficulty levels. Click HikingOC Policy to read more FYI. https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/messages/boards/thread/53724845
Take a quick look at our Events Calendar to see what events are on the horizon
- • Join us whether you are new or experienced in Hiking. There are different levels, but we all share one common: using our legs to move up down hills. Most of the time on dirt trails, but there are different terrains: rocky or gravels or in water, river or mud; different settings: mountain, forest, wilderness or desert.
• Contact us if you are interested to join the Organizer Team and organize Hikes local OC or out of town Hikes to those who share the same interest. Our wide open calendar will fill with events during the weekdays, but mostly the weekends. Our events or trips are generated by volunteer effort and time of volunteer organizers.
[All Our Organizers Volunteer their Time and Effort for Free Cost to Most Events]
• Once or twice per month, there will be events or trips that require payments. These are costs to cover your expenses and fund raising to "HikingOC Fund".
• "HikingOC Fund" will generate profit after the costs from events monthly. It will maintain the group website, support all HikingOC volunteered organizers who contribute to build this hiking group, an outdoor active community and to donate to the good causes or charities.
• If you like to do a great cause in honor our group name, please support helping those affected by disasters or the National Park Services (we hike on many lands of the National Parks.) We are sure your support is highly appreciated and rescues the unfortunates! There are many Non-Profit Organizations, please contact direct AMERICAN RED CROSS ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER for more info
***Read more past hikes on A Journey with HikingOC -- ANP Tourism-Lifetime Memory
for more Travel Trips in the US and Many Regions in the World***
Check on the IMAGES to see our photo albums
Upcoming events
201
Whiting Ranch 8+ Mile Conditioning Hike w/Red Rock Canyon Level 2+
Whiting Ranch, Portola Entrance in front of Wahoos, 27412 Portola Pkwy, Foothill Ranch, CA, USWhiting Ranch Conditioning Hike – Level 2+
Hike Stats
Distance: 8.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft
Hike Time: approximately 3 1/2 hours, depending on group pace
Difficulty Rating: Level 2+, Moderate; Click the hike RATING TABLE for more info about hiking levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating
Trail Condition: Dirt, combination rocky single track, wide park road and some stairs
Hike Type: Loop
Bring: Adequate water 1-2 liters minimum, hat, snack, poles are helpful on some sections
About the hike: Morning conditioning loop hike following Serrano Creek Trail, Dreaded Hill, Mustard to beautiful Red Rock Canyon where we will enjoy a short break. Return via Mustard to Billy Goat & Four Corners. We will enjoy the gentle return via Cactus Hill and Sleepy Hollow. Distance: 8.3 miles, gain of 1200 feet. Bring adequate water (1-2 liters minimum recommended), hiking shoes/boots with good tread, hat and a snack. Hiking poles are helpful on some sections. We will stay together as a group. Moderate pace. End time is approximate, depending on group's pace.
Parking: Park in the large lot near Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, 27412 Portola Parkway, Lake Forest
Reminder:
By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings
>>>YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
>>>YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY
***Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks and snake bites. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***9 attendees
Newport Back Bay Interpretive Center to Vista Point - Level 2
2301 University Dr, Newport Beach, CA, USPlease join us for an easier hike at Newport Back Bay. This walk is suitable for strong beginners. See details below.
This hike is for humans. Kindly leave your canine friends at home.
This is not the beach walk.
## Key Info:
## Meet and Greet at Muth Interpretive Center at 9:45 AM.
## Hike Briefing at 9:55 AM.
## The hike departs promptly at 10:00 AM.
## If you arrive late or otherwise choose to do this walk on your own, just follow the directions detailed below. And bring a friend!Length: This hike/walk is about 4 miles.
Terrain: Paved multi-use path, with a few dirt trails.
Difficulty: This walk is very flat. If you can walk 3 miles in about an hour, this hike should be fine for you.
Pace: Relaxed/Easy (22 - 25 minutes/mile).Description: From the Muth Interpretive Center, we will walk the bike/pedestrian trail over the bridge and then walk by the vineyard. Then we walk through the equestrian neighborhood and back to the bike/pedestrian trail and continue around the bay to Vista Point, where we turn around and head back to the Interpretive Center. There are nice views of Newport Back Bay and maybe good bird watching.
Sometimes we may see some wildlife: quail, hawks, roadrunners, coyotes, bunny wabbits, and if we are very lucky, maybe a snake or a tarantula.
Rating: Level 2 - Click here for hike RATING TABLE
Parking: There is plenty of free parking at the Muth Interpretive Center. See the Photos section for the location of the Parking lot and meeting spot. Park in the lot, or on the street. GPS Address: 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA.
NOTE: You can't actually see the Interpretive Center from the parking lot. You have to walk down a small hill. Please follow the signs at the end of the parking lot, pictured in the main Feature photo at the top of this hike posting. We meet on the lower deck behind the Center, NOT the rooftop observation deck.
Facilities: There are restrooms available at the Muth Interpretive Center.
What to bring: Water and snacks, sunglasses, comfortable walking/hiking shoes, maybe a hat or umbrella for sun protection, a happy attitude and a big smile!
REMINDER:
By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings
> YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETYHiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, mountain lions, coyotes, snake bites or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike.
4 attendees
Powder Canyon Trails in Rowland Heights (Level 2)
Powder Canyon Trailhead, 3021 Fullerton Rd. Rowland Heights, 91748, CA, USHike Time: 7:30AM
Distance: 6-7 miles.
Duration: 2.5-3 hrs.
Elevation Gain: 1500 ft.
Description: Powder Canyon is located in the La Habra/Rowland Heights area and owned by the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority. We will explore nearly the entire area, going up and down enough hills that I would recommend for intermediate hikers.
Directions: Google map the address listed, from this point take Fullerton Rd. east off of Harbor Blvd. about 1/4 mi. Let's park along the street (Fullerton Rd.) A couple hundred yards from Harbor Blvd. just past the Edison facilities.
Ratings: https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating
Bring: Water, hat, sunglassesBy joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings
> YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY
> Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks and snake bites. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***9 attendees
2025-Nov: Turtle Rock Hills hike at Sunset-Full Super-Beaver Moon🌝/Level 2
Turtle Rock, 1 Concordia, Irvine, CA, USSpecial hike this late afternoon/evening at sunset and view the full moon rise on the hills about sunset time. This month is The Full Moon of Nov 2025: Beaver Moon! Almanac.com 🌝
It is almost full moon. Visible 95%. Sunset is at 4:57 PM and Moon rise is 4:15 PM (to our view around 4:30ish PM)**This hike is rated level 2 or faster for pace, distance and elevation. Please see the RATING TABLE for more info about difficulty levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating
Meeting time: 4:30 PM
Distance: ~4 miles (we can go a shorter loop for about an hour)
Elevation: ~1100ft
Duration: 2 hoursESSENTIALS: Bring water, running/hiking shoes, a headlamp or flash light on the way back after sunset.
DIRECTIONS: Address: 1 Concordia, Irvine
ABOUT THIS HIKE:
This is a workout conditioning hike composed of a looped route with a mix of trails and sidewalk/bike paths, along with some not too long but fairly steep hills. The two popular hills: French Hill and Suicide Hill at Turtle Rock. This loop, which uses city streets, single-track trails and a little bit of climbing, is one of several possible routes that visit the two summits. This hike requires regular hikers or those who have exercise experience (stair stepper or treadmill on 5-7 degree incline). The trail is dog friendly.
Route:
The hike begins with a steep climb up French Hill, gaining 200 feet in about 0.3 miles. At the top, you get a nice view of the Santa Ana Mountains and you can also see the other destination, Turtle Rock, to the left.
At the top, bear right, pass by a small summit marker, and begin heading downhill, toward a residential neighborhood. The trail swings around the back side of the houses and begins to curve south, making a moderate ascent to a ridge. Here, you get nice views of the Laguna Canyon area and the San Joaquin Hills.
At 1.2 miles, you begin a sharp descent toward Ridgeline Drive. Head right and follow a trail that’s been beaten on the side of the road. Soon you cross Hillsborough, where you can follow a proper sidewalk up to the intersection with Turtle Rock Drive.
Cross the street and continue following Ridgeline, looking for a paved walkway heading downhill (1.9 miles.) At the bottom of a hill, where the walkway makes a hairpin turn, continue straight on a dirt trail. Never getting too far from the residential area on the right, you climb to another ridge. Head right at a junction, where you’ll see Turtle Rock ahead of you, with its geological outcrops that resemble turtles. You descend into a pleasant wooded area, reaching a paved walkway at about 2.6 miles.
Head left, and almost immediately take a hard right and begin climbing a staircase. At the top, head right and continue your ascent. A little bit of scrambling, though nothing too difficult, is required to reach the top of Turtle Rock (2.9 miles), a nice view of almost all of Orange County, and on clear days, beyond.
Continuing north, you descend steeply from Turtle Rock. Turn left at the next junction and head through a meadow, toward the intersection of San Rufino and Via Novella (3.4 miles.) Follow Via Novella to Amalfi Drive, head right and turn right again on Turtle Rock Drive. Heading slightly uphill, follow Turtle Rock 0.4 miles back to the starting point.
REMINDER:
By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings
>>>YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
>>>YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY
***Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, snake bites, coyotes, mountain lions or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***19 attendees
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