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***

Modjeska Canyon Evening Hike!... A perfect way to celebrate TGIF with friends!

DEPARTURE TIME: We depart at 6 PM. Please arrive ten minutes early to provide time for an orientation and introductions.

DIFFICULTY/GENERAL RATING: Level 2. You can check the RATING TABLE for more info about the hiking levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating
ABILITY LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate. We hike at a slow pace taking in the views as we go. This can be a difficult hike due to the 600 foot elevation gain, although the trail itself is not technical.

ABOUT THIS HIKE: The hike starts at the trail head for the Harding Truck Trail across from the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary on Modjeska Canyon Road. The trail is well maintained and climbs steadily along a ridge through scrub oak, manzanita, and coastal sage into the Cleveland National Forest. We'll hike for 30-50 minutes stopping at about the two mile mark for a potluck dinner and some music. BYOB (beverage) and appetizers to share. Acoustic instruments are welcome! The views from our mountain top picnic tables extends on a clear day over neighboring ridge lines to Newport Coast, Palos Verdes Peninsula and Catalina Island. Following a leisurely picnic dinner, we return on the same route about two miles to the trail head and parking area. Bring a headlamp for the hike down. http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/3/8/c/event_119437772.jpeg http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/9/0/4/event_119439172.jpeg

DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 5, take the El Toro Road exit in Lake Forest. Head North up El Toro Road towards the mountains. At Cook's Corner, El Toro Road turns into Santiago Canyon Road. Three miles past Cook's, turn right on Modjeska Canyon Road. Remain on Modjeska Canyon Road (don't turn on Modjeska Grade Road) passing the Modjeska Fire Station and continuing until arriving at the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. Parking for the Harding Truck Trail head is located adjacent to and just beyond the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. The trail head is across the road from the paved designated parking area. To reduce parking congestion at Tucker, car pooling is advised.

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

NO PARKING ZONE and Driving Direction: see below FYI

Join us for a workout or it can be a training for regular hikers. Peters Canyon is a dog friendly trail.

Hiking time: 7 AM

General Rating/Difficulty: All Levels: Slow to Fast/Beginning to Advance: for distance, elevation and pace.
Link to Hike Rating Table: https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

Please keep in mind: Hikers will join for a workout together; there is no leader or sweeper on this hike

Slow pace/new hikers or beginners can turn around and walk back to trailhead if you can't keep up with the group

Route: We will start at Eucalyptus trail and going up hill (optional to the lake) and hike back. Click on the links to see Trails Map (https://ocparks.com/sites/ocparks/files/2023-03/Peters%20Canyon%20Regional%20Park%202023_03_06%20%281%29%20%281%29.pdf) and to read more about Peters Canyon Regional Park (http://ocparks.com/parks/peters)

Duration/Distance/Elevation: 1.5-2 hours, 5-7 miles and gain 500ft-1000ft

The most important: 10 Hiking Essentials (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234)

Click to read more about HIKING SKILL LEVELS (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/10328308) that some other organizers may use

Suggestions :

1. Everybody should have good tracking shoes or traction running shoes
2. loose clothes- shorts would be fine since its warm out there
3. Plenty of water

DIRECTIONS :
Sometimes you may get a ticket if you park in the zone "NO PARKING anytime" Try to come early or park at Cedar Grove Park parking

1. From the 5 Freeway- exit Tustin Ranch Road and head towards the foothills and drive approx. 3 miles. Get in the left hand lane and take a left on Pioneer WAY (signal). Now get into the right lane and take the next right on Pioneer ROAD (signal). This road will wind around Cedar Grove Park. Continue to the first stop sign and take a left on Peters Canyon Road (stop sign). Take this road down around a little curve and park on the right side of the curb at the end of the road. We will meet at the sign for Peter's Canyon Trail
2. Another location for parking: Park in North Tustin. Address: 2158 Lower Lake Dr. , Santa Ana, CA 92705 Parking is on the parking lot or on the street. You'll be ahead of the group, so we'll meet with you at the portable potties 10-15 minutes after.

From North or Central OC, take the 55 Frwy exit Chapman Ave in Orange, go toward the mountains for 2.2 miles, then turn right on S. Crawford Canyon Rd for about 1 mile, then left onto Newport Blvd, then right onto Cowen Heights Dr, right onto Skyline Dr, then left onto Lemon Heights and continue to Lower Lake Dr.

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***

Special Winter as a new year treat to start 2026 from the desert: wildflowers 🏜️ We will visit wildflowers in Anza Borrego State Park, Slot canyons, etc.

Meeting time: 9:30 AM.
It will take about 3 hours drive for this event. There will not be good phone signals at the trailheads, so contact in advance if you plan to join.

FYI! Posting here for you to join and find more info in case you like to spend longer time in the park. Our carpool will only be here for a few hours

Meeting by the head of the dragon Sculpture
Borrego Springs Serpent Sculpture
1624 Borrego Springs Rd, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

GENERAL RATING/DIFFICULTY: Level 2: moderate, pace, distance, elevation and exploratory. Click RATING TABLE to learn more about hike levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

Our hikes: Hikes options depends on the group.

The wildflowers trails:

1. Henderson Canyon (http://www.abdnha.org/pages/06_exploring/north/roads/022/hendersoncyn.htm)
2. Coyote Canyon-Desert Garden (http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/638/files/Flower%20Map%20Entire%20Park%20March%2017%202017.pdf)
3. The Art Sculptures of Borrego Springs (http://www.desertusa.com/borrego/bs-art.html)
4. Hellhole Canyon, Borrego Badlands, etc
5. Anza Borrego: Palm Spring - Arroyo Hueso Loop (http://borregohiking.com/hiking/2012_palm_spring_badlands_arroyo_hueso_loop.html)
6. Anza Borrego: Rockhouse canyon - Four Frogs canyon loop (http://borregohiking.com/hiking/2017_rockhouse_canyon_four_frogs_canyon_loop.html))

More hiking trails and wildflowers reports https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_abdsp.html
Anza Borrego "the largest state park in California" (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638).
Here is a preview for peak time wildflowers in Anza Borrego (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/107101297367084509/)

Super blooms trip 2017 https://photos.app.goo.gl/5CR4YGCKmrENAAdB6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bs4RuPbaDUR9HwGY9

WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR: water, snacks, food for breakfasts and lunches on the trails. Wear layers clothes, hiking shoes, hiking poles and 10 Hiking Essentials (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234)m

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, 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***