Early morning workout hike on Turtle Rock hills!

This hike is rated levels 2 to 3 for pace and elevation. Please see the RATING TABLEfor more info about difficulty levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

Meeting time: 7 AM
Duration: ~1.5 to 2+ hours
Distance: 4+ miles
Elevation: 1100ft

ESSENTIALS: Bring water, running/hiking shoes, and a flashlight just in case, but we will finish before dark

DIRECTIONS: Address: 1 Concordia, Irvine

From the 405 exit Jeffrey and head towards the beach, Jeffrey will become University, Left onto Ridgeline Drive, Turn right onto Turtle Rock Drive, Turn right on Concordia and park on the street.

Map: 1 Concordia, Irvine 92612

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), 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***

>>>General Rating/Difficulty: Levels 2/2+ to 3: a moderate or fast pace body workout hike for elevation, distance and pace, with scrambles to big boulders and crossing a river stream numbers of times

CLICK RATING TABLE to read more about skill levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

About the hike: We first hike up Black Star Canyon Creek to the Base of the 80 ft Falls. It will be close to 2 miles up a fire road and then about a mile up the creek. You will climb boulders and cross the creek a few times. There is not a well-marker trail. The falls are protected by nature as there is an abundance of poison oak, some rock scrambling, and big boulders to climb with beautiful waterfalls on the way to the big one. The hike up the creek is what makes this an interesting, fun and a great body workout hike.

BRING:

Comfortable Hiking Boots you don't mind getting wet. Extra shoes and socks to leave in your car. Bring protective clothing for the poison oak. It can be avoided for the most part, but you more than likely will brush up against it at one point. Snacks, a light lunch, water and this is a place for photos, so camera/phone !

DIRECTIONS:

From I-5 going on El Toro turns into Santiago Canyon Road. Take Santiago Canyon Road about 5 miles north. Turn right on Silverado Canyon Road. Take the first left which is Black Star Canyon Road. Drive about one mile to the gate and park.

From the 55 take Chapman east. Keep going, it turns into Santiago Canyon rd. Go past Irvine Lake, hang a left on Silverado Canyon. Another left on Black Star Canyon. At the end is a large fire gate. This is where the trail starts.

REMINDERS:
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***

DEPARTURE TIME: 5:30 p.m.

Meet in a parking lot next to Amber’s Cantina Restaurant.

Trail is 100% paved. Please wear regular walk/tennis shoes, not your hiking boots since this a paved trail.

Ratings: It’s best as level 2/2+ for distance, elevation and speed.
Click to see RATING TABLE for more info about hiking levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

Distance : about 5 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation: few hundreds ft

ABOUT THE HIKE: This is a moderate or fast-pace 5.2 miles walk along the paved road of the fragnant sage-dense area in Laguna Niguel that ends in the beautiful Salt Creek Beach. This trail has a few small hills, but mostly is flat and gradual. This hike is suitable for anybody: for beginners or advanced hikers, and will take us no longer than 2 hours to complete. The paved trail is laying just above the actual Salt Creek, and there are several spots where you can hear some frogs singing at night :-) There are restrooms at the half-way, when we reach the Beach.

One of the hikes with Elena from last year https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/photos/32527376/

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***

From the Chantry Flats parking lot, we will go down to the Sturtevant trail and take a 0.25 mile detour to view the Sturtevant Falls. Then we will retrace back to the Sturtevant trail and go up to the top of the fall. We will continue the trail, passing through the Cascade picnic area to the Spruce Campground.

After a rest break, we will continue another mile to Hogee's camp., then turn left to Upper Zion trail to Mt Zion. After viewing from the top, continue on the Upper Winter Trail back to the Chantry Flats parking lot.

See the AllTrails link
Mount Zion Loop - Sturtevant to Winter Creek Trails, California - 717 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

Distance - 10.5 miles
Elevation gain - 2500 feet

General Rating: Level 3 Strenuous. Download RATING TABLE (https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating) to read more about difficulty levels.

PLEASE BRING:
At least 3 liters of water, a hat, sunscreen.

FACILITIES: Rest rooms in Chantry Flats parking lot.

Adventure Pass, or US National Park pass is needed to be displayed when parking in the Chantry Flats parking lot.

Direction - Exit Santa Anita at the 210 Freeway. Go north at Santa Anita Ave for 5 miles, then continue to the Chantry Flats Road to the parking lot.

After the hike, you are welcomed to join us for lunch at the BJ Restaurant,400 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia.

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***