Whiting Ranch - Dreaded Hill & Billy Goat! (moderate difficulty) 6.5 miles

Route: This is the regular Dreaded Hill hike with the addition of Billy Goat trail. We'll take the Serrano Creek trail to Dreaded. Going up Dreaded Hill, down Mustard Rd, up Billy Goat trail to Four Corners and return by Whiting and Serrano trails back to Wahoo's/Starbucks parking lot. This hike is a total of 6.5 miles round trip, with approximately 1,200 feet of elevation gain/loss.

Optional coffee at Starbucks afterwards!

Pace: Medium, we will wait at the tops of the hills for everyone, with "no hiker left behind."

Rating: Level 2 Intermediate due to climbing 2 hills. Moderate pace. Last time I led pace worked out to be 2.3 mph overall.

Click here for hike rating table (http://files.meetup.com/1554500/RATING%20TABLE.pdf)

Length: Estimated 6.5 miles, 2.75 Hrs

ESSENTIALS: Bring plenty of water, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. Good pair of hiking boots with adequate tread is highly desirable! Trekking poles are encouraged!

Dreaded Hill...

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/c/c/e/600_436687374.jpeg

Billy Goat (2).....

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/b/9/d/600_436687069.jpeg

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/d/1/d/600_436687453.jpeg

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

This is definitely not a "beginner" hike, so everyone please know your limits! Dreaded Hill is relentlessly steep! Billy Goat is no piece of cake either. It's a narrow and rocky single path with sharp ascents and descents. The second half of the hike, the return homeward begins at Four Corners and Cactus Hill trail. It's all down hill and relatively easy from there on.

SORRY - NOT PETS ALLOWED ON THIS HIKE

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/)

DIRECTIONS: 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.

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.