
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 (4+)
See all- 2023-Sept/Oct: CO Fall Foliage: Aspen, Silverton-Durango/5D4N/Level 2+John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, CA
HikingOC Annual Special Fall Foliage in Colorado: visiting and hiking the landmarks and Parks, high mountains, lakes and waterfalls.
Schedule: Sept 29 to Oct 3, 2023RSVP is NOT SECURED a space. Please contact the host via message, email or in person to discuss more about the trip!
GENERAL RATING/DIFFICULTY: Level 2+: moderate fast for distance, elevation and pace. Click to see RATING TABLE for more info about hiking levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating
ESTIMATE COST, DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION OF SERVICES:
Plan your own and only join us to hike, $30/day/person non-refundable coordinating fee. Contact the host directly for more info
***DEPOSIT: the deposit amount is non-refundable $1000 due immediately after signing up. Payment after the due day will add 10% or more depending on booking and spaces are available.
***CANCELLATION: If you need to cancel after paying deposit, it's non-refundable.
>>Total Estimate Trip Cost due by Sept 19, 2023
>>Cancellation on Sept 19 or after, total trip cost is forfeit.***Estimate cost: from $1200+ per person for double occupancy. Contact for cost of single ($500 more) and triple occupancy. It'll include: land transportation, lodging, coordinating fee, not included airfares, tickets, shuttles, permits, optional activities and most meals.
Allow $400+ (your budget) for meals, optional activities and other expenses/gifts
ABOUT THE TRIP:
We will be hiking/sightseeing/photography at Parks/National Monuments/Forests and unique landmarks. These are hikes and locations:
>>>Colorado: Mt Evans Scenic By Way, Georgetown, Glenwood Springs, Rifle, Silverton, Ice Lake, Island Lake, Aspen, Snowmass Village, Maroon Bells, Independence Pass, Twin Lakes, etc.Itinerary: to be updated and subject to change due to weather condition
Day 1: Sept 29 - travel to Denver, then to Georgetown: https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/296295885/
***Mt Evans Scenic By Way, Georgetown Loop is Colorado's oldest, having been established in 1918.Day 2 - Sept 30- Twin Lakes and San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway
https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/296364312/
Twin Lakes http://www.leadvilletwinlakes.com/twin_lakes
San Juan Skyway loop drive.
2021 trip https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/photos/31757668/Day 3 - Oct 1 - Island Lake via Ice Lake
https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/296371756/
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/island-lake-via-ice-lakes-trail
https://www.10adventures.com/hikes/san-juan-mountain-range/island-lake-via-ice-lakes-trail/Day 4 - Oct 2 - Glenwood Springs and Rifle
https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/296371959/
https://visitglenwood.com/hanginglake/
https://visitrifle.com/rifle-falls-state-park/
2021 trip: https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/280705627/Day 5 - Oct 3 - Aspen, Maroon Bells, driving Independence Pass and Denver to take a flight home.
https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/296371187/
https://www.aspenchamber.org/explore-aspen/recreation/hiking-trails
>>>Maroon Bells & best time for photos https://photographylife.com/best-time-to-photograph-maroon-bells https://www.aspensnowmass.com/discover/experiences/guides/maroon-bells-101-all-you-need-to-know
>>>Independence Pass http://www.motorcyclecolorado.com/independence_pass.htmPrevious Trips
2021 trip: https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/279727929
https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/280603153/
2017 trip photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6VuMoxkZ3H4oUYqb9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mb20AlSbVKLekwY23
https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/28203963/464960896/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 gathering
>>>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, mountain lions, coyote, 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***Not open - TGIF - Crystal Cove State Beach Walk - Levels 1+ to 2Cameo Shores Road & Hampden Road, Newport Beach, CA
This is a low tide walk on the sand at the scenic Crystal Cove State Beach. This is a flexible hike, suitable for Beginning to Intermediate hikers. Please read the directions carefully and note the TWO parking options and meeting places/times.
Sorry, dogs are NOT allowed on the beach.
## Key Info:
## Meet and Greet at the Cameo Shores free parking area at 2:50 PM.
## The hike departs Cameo Shores parking area promptly at 3:00 PM.
## For the paid parking, meet us at the north (Lot #1) restrooms at 3:10 PM.
## Tide is Low 0.1' at 3:55 PM.If you arrive late or otherwise choose to do this walk on your own, just bring a friend and follow the directions detailed below.
Description: Miles of scenic beaches! Sea life such as sea lions, sea stars, crabs, anemones, sea slugs, dolphins and whales may be seen. One mile is on the pavement and the rest is on the sand with a few short, rocky areas. If you choose to walk barefoot on the sand, you may want to bring some flip flops to slip on for the few rocky areas we must cross. See the Key Info above for tide info.
We will pass by the Crystal Cove Historic District, a National Register of Historic Places. There are picnic tables and restrooms there.
For Level 1+: Walk as far as comfortable then turn back the same way you came. This might be only 2 or 3 miles.
For Level 2 and above: Pick up the pace and go farther, if you wish. For added challenge, you can go up and down the ramps between the beach and the bluffs. You can go all the way to Abalone point and touch the rock, then head back, about 8 miles total.
Length: Up to 8 miles and 3 Hours (more or less). ~100 ft gain/loss
Difficulty: Your choice. Make it short, slow and easy. Or make it longer, faster and more challenging.
Pace: slow-paced stroll to fast pace powerwalk/jog
Rating: Levels 1+ to 2 Click Here for hike RATING TABLE.
Free Parking: From Pacific Coast Hwy turn towards the ocean on Cameo Shores Rd. Then immediately turn right onto Hampden Rd and park along the road. Meet me at intersection of Cameo Shores Rd and Hampden Rd. GPS address: 4699 Hampden Rd, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625. See Key Info for time.
Pay Parking ($15-$20 or state pass): From Pacific Coast Highway, turn toward the ocean at Newport Coast Drive and enter the State Beach. Turn right and go all the way to Lot #1 at the North end. Park and then walk north on the paved path to the first restroom. Wait there for the Free Parking group to arrive. See the Key Info for the time.
Route: From the northern parking lot restrooms we will head north/west on the paved path toward the beach. We will turn right just before the ramp that leads down to the sand. We will walk past the golf course to a nice circular view point at the end of the path. Then we will walk down to the sand and south toward Laguna Beach, then turn around and hike the same way back.
Essentials: Water, maybe a snack or picnic lunch, sunglasses, flip flops or sandals, a hat or umbrella, a happy attitude and a big smile!
How to get to Crystal Cove State Beach: Click Here
Geologic Points of Interest: Click Here
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
- 2023-Sept: CO-Denver/Mt Evans at sunset-Harvest Super Moon 🌝 /Level 1+Mt. Evans Scenic Byway, Idaho Springs, CO
Day 1 of HikingOC Annual Special Fall Foliage in Colorado visiting and hiking the landmarks and Parks high mountains, lakes and waterfalls.
https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/296201332/
Today drive and short hikes in the late afternoon/evening at sunset and to view the full moon rise on Mt Evans Scenic by Way.RSVP is NOT SECURED a space. Please contact the host via message, email or in person to discuss more about the trip!
This month is a Harvest Supermoon and Mid-Autumn Moon Festival 🌝
Tonight is full moon, visible 99.9%. Sunset is at 6:45 PM, moon rise is 7:07 PMMeeting time: 6 PM
Distance: 55+ miles RT drive and about a mile walk
Elevation: 7K+ft gain on the drive to 14130ft & minimal gain on the walkGeneral Rating: This hike is rated level 1+ or faster for high altitude elevation. Please see the RATING TABLE for more info about difficulty levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating
ESSENTIALS: Bring water, running/hiking shoes, a headlamp or flash light on the way back after sunset.
DIRECTIONS: Start from Mt Evans Scenic By Way. More info to check the link https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-mount-evans
ABOUT THIS DRIVE/HIKE:
As the highest paved road in North America, Mount Evans Road rises to a height of 14,130 feet above sea level (learn about all 58 14ers here and check out an awesome infographic that describes what makes them so special to Coloradans). Many clouds don't even make it that high, but you can. Begin your trip in the historic mining town of Idaho Springs. While the Argo Gold Mine and Mill that's part of the area's mining past no longer functions or supplies gold, it does provide tours. You can also check out the town's past at the Idaho Springs Heritage Museum.Route:
From town, travel south on CO Hwy. 103 to the junction of CO Hwy. 5, the entrance to Mount Evans Road. Groves of pine trees first greet you on this section, but gradually give way once timberline is breeched. Riding along the exposed mountainside yields magnificent views of glacier-cut valleys and a seemingly endless horizon of sharp, rocky peaksREMINDER:
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***Not open