What we're about
Kids! Would you love to experience the wonder and enchantment of wilderness trails? Parents! Would you love to take your Kids on group hikes with other Kids and Parents? Orange County has many opportunities to enjoy nature within steps of our homes.
Calling all Families, Singles and Organizations with Adventurous and Curious Kids who would love to hike, share and learn from one another. We will draw from personal experience, hiking literature and children's books about hiking. Aspiring to a few familiar, local hike trails twice per week, and children's book readings at Casper Wilderness park once per month.
I decided to create this group to assist parents who would like to take their children on safe, local hikes, but perhaps do not have much experience. If you do though, that's terrific, you can help assist others if you wish. My first aim is Kids and their Parents, however Singles are most welcome. We certainly will plan longer hikes with more elevation gain for the adults and teens (with guardian). Foster Organizations are encouraged to join!
This is a new group as of 8/21/21 with growing membership, but need more sign-ups for the hikes :) ! *** And PLEASE add an identifying PHOTO of yourself in order to be approved to join. ***
If you are new, please review past hikes as I intend to repeat them. Look forward to more hikes near the local beaches and wilderness hikes in Cleveland National Forest.
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PARENTS who would like to bring TODDLERS, I aim to get a better grasp on which trails are “kid friendly” - “stroller friendly” - “etc”. Also, I just purchased a new, trail worthy wagon that we all can safely push and pull! *** Your input is much needed here. ***
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Children need to be accompanied by Parents of course, however Parents do not have to be accompanied by Children if you'd like to just hike with the group. Singles welcome!
Best wishes and Happy New Year 2022, to All ~ Christine :)
Home Page Photo by Juliane Liebermann https://unsplash.com/photos/Pw7i-YVg5uM
Upcoming events (4+)
FRENCH HILL LOOP IN TURTLE ROCK, 4.5 MILES, 5:00 PM
MEET AT 1 CONCORDIA, IRVINE, CA
Meet on Concordia street across from Turtle Rock Preschool
About 4.5 Miles, 900 feet of elevation gain
We usually hike Saturday mornings, but I have an appointment, so how about an evening hike this Saturday :) ? I hope lots of you can sign up!!!
This hike can be completed in 2-2.5 hours depending on the pace we keep and how long we admire the sun setting on top of Turtle Rock :) !!!
DIRECT MESSAGE ON THE MEETUP SITE IF YOU'RE RUNNING LATE, WE'LL WAIT 10 MINUTES or whatever :) I ALWAYS CHECK THE MEETUP SITE BEFORE WE START THE HIKE :)
This is one of my favorite conditioning hikes suitable for adults and teens, but a challenge for young children, except perhaps two I am thinking of who surprise and impress me (you know who you are). There are a few steep places, but they are not too long, and one technical hill where one needs to choose a path, use hands and watch footing. I've seen children climb it safely.
I finish this in 2 hours, sometimes less. We will probably be at the last big hill "Turtle Rock" by 5:30-5:45 PM - should be close to a sunset view.
We'll start at the trailhead off Concordia across the street from Turtle Rock Preschool. Here is the first big hill, a second hill comes within the next mile, but both of these hills are not long. From there it's lower "rolling hills" not too steep. In the spring there is very tall mustard on either side of the trail, it's very beautiful and exhilarating to hike through. By about mile 2 the trail passes behind residential for less than a mile, then up narrow, slightly steep hill.
The fourth and most challenging hill comes next, steep and wide, but it's a slow and steady climb with plenty of places to navigate and get your foothold. At the top of this hill you can see all of downtown Irvine and Catalina Island out yonder. The last mile~ish is the end of the dirt trail, and back to residential which closes the loop at Concordia.
CHECKLIST:
- SHOES W/GOOD TREAD, PREFERABLY HIKING BOOTS
- 2 LITERS OF WATER
- HEADLAMP OPTIONAL
More specific stats and Feature Image from All Trails, see link:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/turtle-rock-french-hill-loop-irvine
***MY YOUTUBE VIDEO from when I hiked April 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK_chjwdy3Y
- Julie
- Christine likes C.
- Paul
- 4 attendees
Shady-Bommer, A Trail Fusion! Stroller Friendly, Apprx 5 Miles
MEET AT: Quail Hill Community Center
39 Shady Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603
Plenty of parking, no fee. We will hike Shady Canyon from the Quail Hill Community Center, then branch off to the Bommer Canyon Trailhead! We will segue to Bommer Meadow Trail to the Nature Loop, then turn back on Bommer Canyon, OR to SHORTEN take Bommer Meadow straight away to Bommer Canyon, then back to Shady Canyon. I will get the accurate mileage and gain, will be approximately 5 miles, elevation gain max approx[masked].
*** He doesn't want this kind of attention, lol, but props to Assistant Jack Thorworth for coming up with this idea :) ! ***
OPT ALT to Bommer Pass Trail to East Fork out and back to Shady Canyon, adds about 1 Mile.
CHECKLIST
-1-2 liters Water
-Sunscreen and bug repellent
-Shoes or boots with good tread
-Headlamp or flashlight recommended
- Jack T.
- Christine likes C.
- 2 attendees
Shady-Bommer, A Trail Fusion! Stroller Friendly, Apprx 5 Miles, 5PM Evening Hike
MEET AT: Quail Hill Community Center
39 Shady Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603
CHANGING THIS SATURDAY TO AN EVENING HIKE BECAUSE I HAVE A MORNING APPOINTMENT - SEE YOU AT 5PM :) !!!
Plenty of parking, no fee. We will hike Shady Canyon from the Quail Hill Community Center, then branch off to the Bommer Canyon Trailhead! We will segue to Bommer Meadow Trail to the Nature Loop, then turn back on Bommer Canyon, OR to SHORTEN take Bommer Meadow straight away to Bommer Canyon, then back to Shady Canyon. I will get the accurate mileage and gain, will be approximately 5 miles, elevation gain max approx[masked].
*** He doesn't want this kind of attention, lol, but props to Assistant Jack Thorworth for coming up with this idea :) ! ***
OPT ALT to Bommer Pass Trail to East Fork out and back to Shady Canyon, adds about 1 Mile.
CHECKLIST
-1-2 liters Water
-Sunscreen and bug repellent
-Shoes or boots with good tread
-Headlamp or flashlight recommended
- Jack T.
- Christine likes C.
- 2 attendees
SALT CREEK TRAIL from Club House Plaza, 5.5 to 6 Miles RT, 5:30 PM
MEET AT CLUBHOUSE PLAZA PARKING LOT,
PARK BETWEEN ANTONIA CUCINA ITALIANA AND AMBER'S CANTINA
31323 Niguel Rd, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
*** ALL ASPHALT TRAIL - STROLLER FRIENDLY :) ! ***
Out to the beach and back, approximately 5.5 Miles round trip, 2.5 to 3 hours.
DIRECT MESSAGE ON THE MEETUP SITE IF YOU'RE RUNNING LATE, WE'LL WAIT 10 MINUTES or whatever :) I ALWAYS CHECK THE MEETUP SITE BEFORE WE START THE HIKE :)
LOOKING FOR COOLER HIKES AND WALKS, PLEASE BRING THE FOLLOWING:
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Wear shoes or hiking boots with good tread
- Hat and sunscreen recommended
- Headlamp of Flashlight recommended
Feature photo from Fun OC parks:
https://funorangecountyparks.com/salt-creek-trail.html
- Christine likes C.
- 1 attendee
Past events (106)
- Christine likes C.
- 1 attendee
