2026-Oct: Crystal Cove to Laguna Coast -Unusual route/Levels 2 to 3+

The weather forecast gives us Autumn time in OC. Let’s have a good combo hike of a California State Park, Crystal Cove and Laguna Coast Wilderness today!

Meeting at 7:30 AM

It'll be 5 to 10+ miles, about 1000+ ft gain/loss in to 2 to 4 hours depending on the group and the route we choose. We start at the Ridge Park entrance in Newport Coast at the top of the hills street parking and go on unusual route (includes these trails: Rattlesnake or Laurel and Willow canyons and may be Lizard Trail, etc)
**http://www.crystalcovestatepark.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/crystal-cove-map-handout-8-28-18-color.pdf**

General Rating/Difficulty: Levels 2 to 3+ Moderate to Fast (strenuous) for distance, elevation and speed; ClickRATING TABLE **to read more about difficulty levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating**

Route: From Pacific Ridge to No Name, to Rattlesnake to Bommer Ridge back to the trailhead (the short route, about 6 miles).
The longer route is the same to Bommer Ridge, turn right and down to Slow and Easy, up Elevator, back to Bommer Ridge to the trailhead (the medium route, about 10 miles)
For longer route continues down to Willow Canyon, the Stagecoach, up on Laurel Canyon, Laurel Spur, back to Bommer Ridge to the trailhead (this is about 14 miles)

WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR: water, snacks. Dress layers clothes and hiking shoes with traction and 10 Hiking Essentials (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234)

Directions: From Newport Coast Road take Ridge Park Road uphill until it ends at intersection with Coastal Peak Road. Trailhead is at the end of Ridge Park Road. Park along the road and meet at trailhead.

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