Wood Canyon/Dripping Cave (Level 2/Moderate Pace)

DETAILS:
Join us for a hike through Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, with various route options ranging from 7-8 miles to approximately 15 miles.
We will be hiking with the Not So Casual Hikes OC group.
There will be 3 route options:
Short Route (7-8 miles/3 hours)
Canyon View → Wood Canyon → Dripping Cave → Take Mathis up to West Ridge Trail – Take West Ridge trail to Lynx – Lynx down to Wood Canyon and back to trailhead
Sheep Run Route (~11.5 miles / 1,490 ft gain / ~3–3.5 hours):
Canyon View → Wood Canyon → Sheep Run → Meadows → Wood Canyon → Canyon View
Long Route (~15 miles / 2,600 ft gain /~4.5–5 hours):
Canyon View → Wood Canyon → Sheep Run → Meadows → Car Wreck → Canyon Acres → Lynx → Wood Canyon → Canyon View
Please Note: Not So Casual hikes are designed to be a workout, with a steady, moderate-to-fast pace and sustained climbs. Please come prepared for the distance and elevation of your chosen route. The group may not wait if you fall behind, so be prepared to navigate and finish independently, or pair up with someone at a similar pace.
Meeting Point: Canyon View Staging Area (Canyon View Park, Aliso Viejo)
Parking: Free street parking nearby
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Essentials:
• Traction hiking shoes
• 2–4L of water; electrolytes recommended
• Quick snacks
• Sun protection
Note on Punctuality & RSVP: Please be on time. We’ll wait up to 5 minutes past the start. If you’re running late, post your ETA in the event discussion, but the group may still begin without you. If your plans change, please update your RSVP.
Disclaimer & Safety Notice: Hiking carries inherent risks, including trip/fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak, ticks, snakes, coyotes, or mountain lions. Organizers are volunteers, not guides, and cannot be responsible for your pace, navigation, or safety.

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