HikingOC 2022 year end trip to the Tropical Rainforest of Central America, Costa Rica. We will design the trip that fits everyone (your friends and family can join).
RSVP is NOT SECURED a space. Please contact the host via message, email or in person to discuss more about the trip!

Schedule from evening Thurs Dec 1 to afternoon Thursday Dec 8, 2022

ESTIMATE COST, DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION OF SERVICES:
> > > Plan lodging and carpooling your own, just join us hiking: $350 coordinating fee (non-refundable deposit). Contact the host directly to get info***
> > > Estimate cost: including lodging, transportation, coordinating fee, but not including airfares, tours, food and other expenses (may adjust from 5-10%+- after the trip after having the final cost on expenses)
>>>Estimated cost land portion: $1199+ per person for double occupancy.
($1399+single occupancy or lower if triple occupancy)
>>>Tours: 5 for 4 days with English speaking local guides, lunches, transportation: $599+ with Lapaz Gardens, Waterfalls, Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfalls, Rio Celeste Waterfalls, Tabacon hot springs, Balsa Water Rafting.
>>>Optional tours: about $150+: Monteverde Zip lining, Horseback Riding or Hanging Bridge.

The following EXCLUDING expenses:

1. Airfare (International Flights) ~$350 - $650 (not final until booking)
2. Meals, some parks entrance fees and services tips.
3. Optional activities that are not included
4. Airport departure tax ($29.00)
5. Border taxes or fees

Allow $250 to $500+ (your budget) for meals, optional activities and Personal expenses/gifts
>>>DEPOSIT: $1K by Oct 10, 2022. After due date will be 10% or more depends on spaces available.
>>>CANCELATION:
**If you need to cancel, the deposit amount is non-refundable
**3 weeks before the trip, 100% of the total trip amount is subject to forfeiture.

>>>General Rating/Difficulty: Levels 2 to 3: Moderate Pace. Click RATING TABLE to see more about difficulty levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

>>>Itinerary will be: 7D/6N
Dec 1 evening travel by air
Dec 2: day tours in San Jose Lapaz Gardens and Waterfalls and coffee plantation https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/289661617/
Dec 3: transfer to Arenal-La Fortuna, day tours: Arenal Volcano & Tabacon Hot Springs https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/289828084/
Dec 4: Tenorio Volcano National Park: Rio Celeste Waterfalls and La Fortuna Waterfalls https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/290021626/
Dec 5: Balsa River water rafting tour and transfer to Monteverde https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/290024953/
Dec 6: Monteverde Hiking or Optional Tours: gardens and vicinity or ziplining, horseback riding or hanging bridge tour on the clouds forest area https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/290025628/
Dec 7: relax and transfer back to San Jose area and afternoon sightseeing. https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/290025815/
Dec 8: take a flight back.

***Tentative Activities:

1. Hiking and Sightseeing (3-10 miles/day)
2. Rafting, Kayaking, ziplining, Horseback riding, hanging bridge walking and other activities are also available depending on our groups and time permits.

ABOUT COSTA RICA: From Lonely Planet "Costa Rica is sometimes referred to as the Switzerland of Central America because of its comfortable lifestyle, peaceful democracy and overwhelming natural beauty. The country’s Disney like cast of creatures – ranging from howler monkeys to toucans – are populous and relatively easy to spot..."
Past trips FYI
2015: 11 days/10 nights - Sat Dec 5 to Tues Dec 15. https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/225456678/
2014: 11 days/10 nights: Nov 19 to Nov 29 https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/186189912/

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, 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

 
 
 

This is day 7 of HikingOC 2022 year end trip to the Tropical Rainforest of Central America, Costa Rica. https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/289106839/
RSVP is NOT SECURED a space. Please contact the host via message, email or in person to discuss more about the trip! Also read the main post with link above for more info

Today we will continue with a morning at the highland Clouds Forest, Monteverde area and afternoon in San Jose area Costa Rica.
It is a day with optional activities, etc.

DEPARTURE TIME from the lodge: 7:30 AM or flexible later depending on the group and tours time

Difficulty: Level 2 (moderate pace). Click on RATING TABLE for more about difficulty levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

GOOD TO KNOW wear shorts or trousers, insect repellent, comfortable shoes, hat, jacket, raincoat, camera, and binoculars. Ten Essentials: link (http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234)

Dec 2015 Trip:
November 2014 trip photos (http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/25751741/431733432/)

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
***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, 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***

> YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY

 
 
 

Special hike this evening to view sunset and moon rise on the hills.
I will be out of town, so will leave it here as NO HOST for you to join others to hike and enjoy the evening, the last full moon at sunset hike of 2022 on the hills of Turtle Rock !

It is almost full moon. Visible 98%. Sunset is at 4:43PM and Moon rise is 4:22 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: 4:15 PM
Distance: ~4 miles (or shorter depends)
Elevation: ~1000ft (or less)

ESSENTIALS: Bring water, running/hiking shoes, a headlamp or flash light just in case it's too dark after sunset, but we have full moon unless the storm with dark clouds

DIRECTIONS: Address: 1 Concordia, Irvine

ABOUT THIS HIKE: We will modify a shorter route, so will discuss when we meet.
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***

 
 
 

THIS GREAT HIKE THAT FITS REGULAR HIKERS WHO LIKE TO HAVE A WORKOUT IN ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC TRAILS IN OC OR ARE TRAINING FOR MOUNTAIN HIKES!

=====We will meet at the parking lot near Starbucks-Wahoos====

MEETING TIME: 3:30 PM (finish the hike in about 2 hours)

GENERAL RATING/DIFFICULTY: Level 3: Strenuous/Fast Pace for distance, elevation and pace. Click to see RATING TABLE (https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating) for more info about hiking levels

DISTANCE/ELEVATION/DURATION: Level 3/3+: Estimate: 6+/- miles, 1500+- ft gain and ~ 2 hours (fast pace)

Please note: Hikers will join the organizer for a workout; there is no leader or sweeper on this hike

ESSENTIALS: Wear traction hiking shoes, bring water, headlamp, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.

ROUTE: Starting on a flat trail for about 1.5 miles, our workout will begin going up Dreaded Hill, to four Corners, Mustard, Billy Goat, back to four Corners, Whiting Rd, back to Serrano Cow, that will take us back to trail head and parking.
ABOUT WHITING RANCH:

Limestone Canyon & Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park encompasses approximately 4,300 acres of riparian and oak woodland canyons, rolling grassland hills and steep slopes of coastal sage scrub and chaparral. The park is highlighted by scenic rock formations, including the beautiful Red Rock Canyon. There are three intermittent streams: Borrego, Serrano and Aliso Creek meandering through the park, each hosting an abundance of wildlife. Remnants of the former cattle ranching days can be seen throughout the park.
Though 90% of the park burned in the Santiago Fire of 2007, the land is in the recovery process. Please respect that process by staying on marked trails and following park rules

More info:
Orange County Parks (http://www.ocparks.com/whitingranch/)
Whiting Ranch Wilderness (http://www.whitingranch.com/)

DIRECTION: from Fwy 405 or 5 going South, exit Bake Pkwy, turn left on Bake Pkwy and going for about 5 miles. Turn right at Portola and turn right at the light of Glenn Ranch (park somewhere in Starbucks coffee parking). If you going North on 5, I think you should get off on Lake Forest and head toward Foothill Ranch, direction is similar to above

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
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***

> YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY