About us
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
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2026-Oct: Happy Halloween- UCI Langson OCMA-Optional Lunch After!
OCMA, 3333 Avenue of arts,, Costa Mesa, CA, USHappy Halloween on a day with overcast and may be raining ☔️ 👻 🎃
It’ll be perfect timing to enjoy an indoor activity together. Let’s check out UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art .
The museum is located on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus in Costa Mesa. The museum is within walking distance from South Coast Plaza.Meet time: 11:15 AM
Location: In front of the entranceAdmission
Admission is free for all visitors.
No reservations are required at this time.More Information : https://langson.uci.edu/visit/
Optional Late Lunch: there are Italian, Mexican and other cuisines nearby in the South Coast Plaza area. We can decide one to check out as well!
Directions & Parking
UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art
3333 Avenue of the Arts
Costa Mesa, CA 92626Area Parking
All local rates and availability are subject to change without notice.Plaza Tower Parking Structure
600 Anton BoulevardPark Center Parking Structure
660 Park Center DriveCenter Tower Parking Structure
625 Sunflower AvenueREMINDER:
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 SAFETY3 attendees
2026-Nov: Live OAK trail in Trabuco Cyn/Outdoor Yoga/Level 1+/2
Live Oak Trail (Nursery Entrance), Meadow Ridge Dr and Chisholm Trl, Portola Hills, CA, USHikingOC will have an easy hike to Trabuco Canyon (Ramakrishna) Monastery/Vedanta Society on the Live Oak trail. Vedanta Society of Southern California in Trabuco Canyon is a scenic and peaceful place.
YOU ARE ALL INVITED and optional if you are new to yoga, we will practice qigong or very basic yoga for beginners outdoor under the shades
MEETING TIME AND PLACE: At 9:30 AM at the trailhead
Duration: about 1.5 to 3 hours for an easy hike and optional yoga outdoor
Distance and Elevation: about 4.3+ miles, including the Shrine trail (http://vedanta.org/trabuco-canyon-monastery/) and 600ft gain. There is a hill for a 360 degree view that is not going to the monastery, but on the way for those who like an extra workout (1 extra mile RT with 200+ft gain/lost)
General Rating/Difficulty: Level 1+ (Slow-Moderate Pace) for distance and elevation. Click RATING TABLE to learn more about hike levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating
WHAT TO BRING Water, a hat, sun screen, a beach towel or a yoga mat. The monastery has a bookstore offering books on Vedanta, and incense. There is no cost, but they put out a donation box.
Open hours: The monastery will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The grounds, including the bookstore, will also be open during these hours.Jan 2024
Dec 2022
Dec 2021
Dec 2020
Dec 2019
Dec 2018
Photos from Thanksgiving 2017 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=28334941),Memorial Day 2017 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=27891281),
Xmas 2016 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/27507295/457122657/),
Thanksgiving 2016 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=27446219),
Thanksgiving 2015 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=26576303),
Xmas 2014 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/25814285/),
Xmas 2013 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/19231082/),
Xmas 2012 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/12325762/) and previous years:
- April, 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=601739)
- April, 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/589000/8156857/)
- Mar., 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/577414/7923116/)
- Jan., 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/521493/7023396/)
- New Year, 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=512508)
THE ROUTE : with a special short trail: the Shrine trail (http://vedanta.org/about-the-vedanta-society/ramakrishna-monastery-trabuco-canyon/shrine-trail/) about a mile in the monastery ground. From the trailhead, a path goes beside a former nursery, then up a small hill, curving into gentle hills and meadows. When we come to a paved road, we turn left, and walk onto the Ramakrishna Monastery buildings area. There you can find shade, rest, bathroom break, water and see the nice view. Afterward, we will continue on a circular path around the monastery grounds which has several pleasant spots honoring all religions. This a relatively easy day hike, having elevation gain of only 600 feet, but you do go up and down on the hills a bit. The ashram grounds provides a trail around the property which has several scenic rest spots which honor the major world religions.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE MEETING PLACE:
- From I-5 south to El Toro Road and take it east 8 miles. Turn right at Valley Vista, just before Live Oak Canyon Rd, curve right at Meadow Ridge, drive to the end at corner of Meadow Ridge Dr and Chisholm Trail
- Alternative in case El Toro Rd is traffic: From 5 Frwy, exit Bake Pkwy, turn left, go East for about 5+miles, turn right at Portola, skip the first light, turn left at Glenn Ranch Rd, drive to the end, turn left to El Toro Rd, keep on the right lane, turn right at Valley Vista, just before Live Oak Canyon Rd, curve right at Meadow Ridge, drive to the end at corner of Meadow Ridge Dr and Chisholm Trail
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*******8 attendees
Turtle Rock Hills Hike on Sunday at Sunset near UCI /Levels 2 to 3
Turtle Rock, 1 Concordia, Irvine, CA, USWeekly sunset Sunday hike on the hills of Turtle Rock.
>>>Slow pace/new hikers or beginners can turn around at Turtle Rock Road and walk back to trailhead if you can't keep up with the groupPlease keep in mind: Hikers will join the hosts for a workout together; there is no leader or sweeper on this hike
Meeting: 3:30 PM
This hike is rated level 2 for pace and elevation. Please see the RATING TABLE for more info about difficulty levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating
Duration: ~1.5 to 2 hours
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation: 1100ftESSENTIALS****: Bring water, and shoes that will provide grip on dirt trails/hills (like hiking shoes or trail runners)********
DIRECTIONS****: Address: 1 Concordia, Irvine********
ABOUT THIS HIKE****:********
(No restrooms) 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, where you enjoy 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*****16 attendees
Past events
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