2026-Jan: Live OAK trail in Trabuco Cyn/for holidays Hike/Opt Yoga/Level 1+/2

HikingOC will have an easy hike to Trabuco Canyon (Ramakrishna) Monastery/Vedanta Society on the Live Oak trail for “a making up holidays hike” because of rains during the year end and new year. Vedanta Society of Southern California in Trabuco Canyon is a scenic and peaceful place.

YOU ARE ALL INVITED and optional if you are new to yoga, we will practice qigong or very basic yoga for beginners outdoor under the shades

MEETING TIME AND PLACE: At 9:30 AM at the trailhead

Duration: about 1.5 to 3 hours for an easy hike and optional yoga outdoor

Distance and Elevation: about 4.3+ miles, including the Shrine trail (http://vedanta.org/trabuco-canyon-monastery/) and 600ft gain. There is a hill for a 360 degree view that is not going to the monastery, but on the way for those who like an extra workout (1 extra mile RT with 200+ft gain/lost)

General Rating/Difficulty: Level 1+ (Slow-Moderate Pace) for distance and elevation. Click RATING TABLE to learn more about hike levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

WHAT TO BRING Water, a hat, sun screen, a beach towel or a yoga mat. The monastery has a bookstore offering books on Vedanta, and incense. There is no cost, but they put out a donation box.
Open hours: The monastery will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The grounds, including the bookstore, will also be open during these hours.

Jan 2024
Dec 2022
Dec 2021
Dec 2020
Dec 2019
Dec 2018
Photos from Thanksgiving 2017 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=28334941),

Memorial Day 2017 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=27891281),

Xmas 2016 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/27507295/457122657/),

Thanksgiving 2016 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=27446219),

Thanksgiving 2015 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=26576303),

Xmas 2014 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/25814285/),

Xmas 2013 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/19231082/),

Xmas 2012 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/12325762/) and previous years:

1. April, 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=601739)
2. April, 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/589000/8156857/)
3. Mar., 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/577414/7923116/)
4. Jan., 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/521493/7023396/)
5. New Year, 2009: Photos (https://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Hiking/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=512508)

THE ROUTE : with a special short trail: the Shrine trail (http://vedanta.org/about-the-vedanta-society/ramakrishna-monastery-trabuco-canyon/shrine-trail/) about a mile in the monastery ground. From the trailhead, a path goes beside a former nursery, then up a small hill, curving into gentle hills and meadows. When we come to a paved road, we turn left, and walk onto the Ramakrishna Monastery buildings area. There you can find shade, rest, bathroom break, water and see the nice view. Afterward, we will continue on a circular path around the monastery grounds which has several pleasant spots honoring all religions. This a relatively easy day hike, having elevation gain of only 600 feet, but you do go up and down on the hills a bit. The ashram grounds provides a trail around the property which has several scenic rest spots which honor the major world religions.

DIRECTIONS FROM THE MEETING PLACE:

1. From I-5 south to El Toro Road and take it east 8 miles. Turn right at Valley Vista, just before Live Oak Canyon Rd, curve right at Meadow Ridge, drive to the end at corner of Meadow Ridge Dr and Chisholm Trail
2. Alternative in case El Toro Rd is traffic: From 5 Frwy, exit Bake Pkwy, turn left, go East for about 5+miles, turn right at Portola, skip the first light, turn left at Glenn Ranch Rd, drive to the end, turn left to El Toro Rd, keep on the right lane, turn right at Valley Vista, just before Live Oak Canyon Rd, curve right at Meadow Ridge, drive to the end at corner of Meadow Ridge Dr and Chisholm Trail

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***