What we’re about
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE "ABOUT" AND PLEASE ADD AN IDENTIFYING PHOTO OF YOURSELF IN ORDER TO BE APPROVED FOR MEMBERSHIP (NO FEES OR DUES, EVER).
PURPOSE
The purpose of this group is to make available hiking and walking activities locally and in other nearby locations for new and experienced persons to enjoy and feel safe on the trail as a group. Especially to support Kids and Parents. Married Persons who do not have children and Singles are welcome.
I wanted to reach out to my community and saw a need to encourage younger ones to have a desire to factor the outdoors into their routine, especially after the covid lockdowns and the rise in computer use and social media, which lacks actually bringing people together (physically).
SCOPE
Parent(s) can attend without children, however persons under 18 cannot attend without parent(s).
- Local and surrounding area hikes are scouted for all ages. Many hikes are noted as “Stroller Friendly”, “Wagon Friendly”, “Adults and Teens” and/or “Dog Friendly”.
- Any hike can be made shorter or longer, slower or faster, depending on the ages and pace of the group. Very short hikes for toddlers and parents can be designed at the beginning or end of any hike when requested. We've had Scavenger Hunts!
- An all terrain wagon is available to safely pull along small children or even small pets so they can go the distance with us. Or please feel free to bring your own wagon on trails marked “Stroller Friendly” or “Wagon Friendly”.
- Hikes have averaged about 5-6 miles 2-3 hours. With little ones it can be less, without, more. Longer hikes for Adults and Teens are 8-10 miles with elevation gain from 1000-2400+.
RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of Myself, the Leadership Team and all Members to practice safe trail habits and respect others in order to make the hikes enjoyable and fun. Bring witty humor, amusing anecdotes, knowledge of birds and trail critters, or other trail knowledge.
ACTION NEEDED - SPECIAL REQUEST 1
This is a small and gradually growing group. I have a small number of regulars and semi-regulars with, and without children on the hikes.
I am requesting a few Parents, since you are Members, to PLEASE TAKE AN INTEREST IN SIGNING UP FOR HIKES, and becoming semi-regulars as you are able, in order to make this group become “safer in numbers and more purposeful”. I do not mean high numbers, just more regular attendance.
ACTION NEEDED - SPECIAL REQUEST 2
If you find you do not have an interest in this group after all, please consider removing yourself from membership - no harm, no foul. It is not necessary to be a regular in order to be a Member, however, if you signed up accidentally or certainly see you will not be hiking, it is best to deactivate, and I thank you.
LASTLY
The Leadership Team and everyone I have met and hiked with are so kind, fun to be with and greatly appreciated! I am looking forward to meeting more Members, as you are able. Your comments and input are encouraged.
Sincerely,
Christine "Likes Chrysathemums"
Home Page Photo by Juliane Liebermann https://unsplash.com/photos/Pw7i-YVg5uM
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 205-Shady Canyon Trail, Stroller & Dog Friendly, Aprx 5-6 Miles, 4PMQuail Hill Community Center, Irvine, CA
SHADY CANYON TRAIL - Stroller & Dog Friendly, Aprx 5-6 Miles, 4PM
MEET AT QUAIL HILL COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING LOT
39 Shady Canyon Dr · Irvine, CA*** NOTE earlier start time :) ! ***
Meet near the community center steps.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 an out and back so turning point is optional, however we usually go about 5 -6 miles total. I have a wagon to assist in bringing smaller children (or small dogs, lol) the entire distance.
Shady Canyon is a popular, scenic and slightly hilly trail filled with beautiful views, meadows, wildlife and charming bridges (some residential). The trail is part of Irvine Ranch, and meanders through the Quail Hill Preserve.
I'D LIKE TO WALK FROM THE COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING LOT TO BOMMER CANYON TRAILHEAD or TURTLE ROCK PARK, GROUP'S CHOICE, approximately 2-2 1/2 hours. There are restrooms at Turtle Rock Park Nature Center and at Bommer Trailhead.
HIKER'S CHECKLIST:
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Wear shoes or hiking boots with good tread
- Hat and Bug Repellent recommendedTrail Link
https://www.traillink.com/trail/shady-canyon-trail/Feature photo from JACQUELINE THOMPSON GROUP
- 206-Colinas Bluff with Ocean View option, 5-7 miles, 9:00 AM30211 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, CA
COLINAS BLUFF - to Big Hill and back with option to extend to the ocean view, 5-7 Mi, 2.5-3 HRS, 9:00 AM
REPEATS
THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTHPeppertree option to the Rock Snake
MEET: 30211 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(Marina Hills Drive and Golden Lantern)
ADULTS, TEENS, DOG FRIENDLY
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 :)PARK IN LAGUNA HEIGHTS MARKETPLACE PARKING LOT, MEET AT STARBUCKS AND WE'LL WALK TO THE TRAILHEAD TOGETHER.
The hike is 2 to 3 hours, (750-1000 feet elevation gain) Group's Choice.
On the Bluff Trail, the first 2 miles~ish the trail has slight gain and is alongside residential. It's a beautiful dirt trail with epic views of the surrounding area, Santiago Peak and I-5 (lol). We’ll go to the BIG HILL and perhaps extend to the ocean view, out and back.
PLEASE BRING:
- 1-2 LITERS OF WATER
- HAT AND SUNSCREEN
- WEAR SHOES OR BOOTS WITH GOOD TREADColinas Bluff Trail (Ridge)
Jeff Hester of SocCalHiker has a great review:
https://socalhiker.net/hiking-colinas-bluff-trail/Colinas Bluff Trail (Ridge) - AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/colinas-ridge-trailLaguna Heights Marketplace (Meet at Starbucks!)
https://www.facebook.com/LagunaHeightsMarketplace/ - 207-Turtle Rock, French Hill Loop, 4.5 Miles, Adults & Teens, 9AM1 Concordia, Irvine, CA
TURTLE ROCK FRENCH HILL LOOP, 4.5 MILES, 9:00 AM
MEET AT 1 CONCORDIA, IRVINE, CA
Meet on Concordia street across from Turtle Rock Preschool
About 4.5 Miles, 900 feet of elevation gainTIME CHANGE
NOTE: My Saturday hikes are usually at 9 AM. I had to change this hike to 5 PM because I have a very important commitment in the morning.This hike can be completed in 2-2.5 hours depending on the pace we keep and how long we admire the views 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 10:15~ish. *See my YouTube video below with highlights of the trail.
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
- HAT, GLOVES, LAYERS
- SNACKS ? 😁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
